Chapter 2

Years back, Jameson Group was in the dumps and had to sell off heaps of shares.

I knew Vincent was still hung up on it, so I secretly scooped up shares over the years, planning to drop a huge surprise on his birthday in a couple of days.

But now? It turned out that they never deserved it.

"Right now, I'm the biggest shareholder in Jameson Group. If you want me out of the Jameson family, you'd better be ready to watch the company slip right through your fingers."

Moments ago, they were all fired up, ranting and raving. But in an instant, they exchanged nervous glances, completely at a loss.

I couldn't be bothered to figure out what was swirling in their heads. With a determined step, I was about to make my exit.

Suddenly, Andrew rushed over and grabbed my wrist tightly.

He gave me a cold, hard stare. "Natalie, are you really going to do this?"

I raised an eyebrow defiantly and retorted, "I do whatever the hell I please. Who do you think you are?"

Andrew was clearly caught off guard. The girl who used to be all over him was now standing up to him.

In an instant, his face flushed with a mix of embarrassment and anger.

Noticing the commotion, Emily scurried over.

"Natalie, you're way out of line! If you're mad, take it out on me, not Drew!"

Andrew gave Emily a tender look and then gently pulled her behind him. "Natalie, take it out on me. Leave Emie alone."

Watching them act all lovey-dovey, I felt a wave of nausea. "Drew, Emie, you two are so chummy—anyone who didn't know better would think you're the ones getting married."

Andrew's face froze at my words.

Emily hurried to explain herself, "Natalie, what are you talking about? Drew and I are just like brother and sister. How could you accuse us of something like that?"

But I could hear the smug voice in her head, [Even if Natalie figures it out, Drew still loves me best!]

Andrew's face lit up with that smug, self-satisfied smile again, like he'd just had a brilliant idea.

"Quit the drama. Say sorry to Emie, and I'll act like none of this ever happened. We'll go through with the wedding, and you'll still get to call yourself Mrs. Cooper."

I couldn't help but laugh, tears pricking my eyes. Was he for real?

I ignored Andrew, marched straight to the front, grabbed the mic off the emcee, and shouted out to the guests, "I'm calling off my wedding to Andrew! From now on, Natalie and Andrew Cooper are officially over!"

"Unfilial girl! Who gave you the right to do this?" Vincent was the first to recover.

He roared in anger and lunged forward to grab the mic.

I let go, and the mic hit the floor with a loud bang, creating a shrill noise.

I retorted, "You said you don't want me as your daughter. So stay out of my business!"

"And about the family split, I'll send a lawyer to talk to you in a few days."

Without giving anyone a second glance, I walked out of the banquet hall.

Once back at the company, I immediately called a board meeting and declared myself the largest shareholder.

According to company regulations, the largest shareholder has the power to remove the chairman at any time.

I didn't hesitate for a second. At the meeting, I ousted Vincent from his position as chairman.

The shareholders present overwhelmingly approved. After all, they didn't really care who the chairman was. All they cared about was their share of the profit at the end of the year.

Unlike Vincent, who was basically a ghost at work, I was the one busting my ass for the company. No wonder they'd rather put their faith in me.

I had barely settled into the chairman's office when my phone lit up with a call from him.

As soon as I picked up, he exploded, his voice shaking with rage. "Natalie, you backstabber! Who gave you the right to fire me from my own position?"

I kept my cool, speaking slowly and steadily, "The largest shareholder has the right to remove anyone at any time—that's your own rule. Don't tell me you've forgotten already."

Vincent was left speechless for a moment. After a long pause, his voice finally softened. "Natalie, we're family. Your mom and I might've said some things in the heat of the moment.

"But if you're upset, just tell us what's bothering you, and we'll sort it out. Why do you have to make such a scene?"

I smirked to myself. So he couldn't strong-arm me; now he was pulling the family card.

"Dad, you spelled it out—you wanted me out of the Jameson family. Like I'd dare go against you. As for splitting things up, I'll settle the details with you on your birthday."

"Natalie, you ungrateful brat! I should've strangled you when you were a baby! You—"

Didn't even let him finish—I hung up.

At the same time, I couldn't help but wonder.

Both of us were their daughters, so why did Fiona and Vincent always seem to love Emily more than me?

Was it really just because she was so frail?

With that suspicion gnawing at me, I immediately reached out to a private investigator I knew and asked him to dig up the truth.