Chapter 2
I didn't return to the Linwood residence.
Instead, I checked into a five-star hotel near the office.
Arthur had already arranged everything for me.
The next morning at nine o'clock.
Summers Corporation held an emergency board meeting.
I appeared at the conference room door, dressed in a sharp business suit.
Arthur held the door open for me.
He said, "Board members, please allow me to introduce someone.
"This is Miss Charlotte Summers, Mr. Summers' daughter who has been missing for years.
"Starting today, she will officially step in as the CEO of Summers Corporation."
The room exploded with chatter.
All eyes were on me.
Some looked shocked, others suspicious, and a few were just sizing me up.
I walked to the head of the table and took my seat.
My father, the chairman of Summers Corporation, had stepped back from day-to-day operations due to health issues.
He had handed the reins of the company over to me.
"Hello, everyone. I'm Charlotte Summers," I said.
My voice was strong and clear.
I continued, "I know you all have a lot of questions, but let's focus on business for now.
"Let's start discussing the bid for the land in the Westside District."
I slipped into my new role in just one morning.
The Linwood family raised me for over twenty years. Sure, I was their scapegoat, but they still gave me the best education money could buy.
I graduated from a famous business school.
Running a company? That was never a challenge for me.
At noon, the first document I signed was an application for enforcement.
Arthur, with a team of elite bodyguards and the legal documents in hand, went straight to the Carter Residence.
I watched everything play out through the surveillance feed.
Mary was lounging in the living room, watching TV, when a bunch of men in black suits suddenly stormed in, making her jump out of her seat in fright.
"Hey! What do you think you're doing? You can't barge in here." she yelled.
Arthur flashed the paperwork at her.
He said, "We're here to take Nathan Carter, Miss Summers' son, back with us. It's all legal.
"Please don't make this difficult."
Nathan heard the commotion and came running out of his room. When he saw Arthur, his eyes lit up.
"Mr. Smith!" he called out.
He tried to run over, but Mary grabbed him by the arm.
"No! You're our grandson!" she shouted.
Mary went completely nuts. She grabbed the stuffed tiger off the coffee table—the one I made for Nathan's birthday.
She snatched up a pair of scissors and, right in front of Nathan, slashed it to pieces.
She shouted, "You little bastard! A phony like your mom.
"I'll teach you to miss her! I'll teach you to miss her!"
Stuffing flew everywhere as Nathan let out a loud wail.
The bodyguards stopped holding back and one pried Mary away from Nathan, while another picked him up and hurried him out.
Mary's screams and curses were muffled behind the closed door.
Half an hour later, Arthur brought Nathan to my office.
He threw himself into my arms, sobbing so hard he could barely catch his breath.
"Mommy, Grandma... Grandma cut up my little tiger..." he choked out.
I held him close, my heart breaking for him.
I said softly, "It's okay, Nate. Mommy will make you a new one.
"From now on, no one will ever hurt us again."