Chapter 58
“Any person who dares speak of the diamond mine will forfeit their family shares!” William Kensington’s voice thundered through the room.
Victoria Kensington’s nails dug deep into her palms. An entire diamond mine, handed over to Isabella Montgomery? Just for her?
How utterly absurd!
The old man had clearly lost his mind.
Of course, Victoria swallowed those words. She forced a calm expression while fury boiled beneath her skin.
Then William added, “Isabella, now that you’re back, sign these documents. I’m transferring the fifteen percent family shares that were always meant to be yours.”
Reginald Thornton stepped forward, holding out the prepared paperwork.
Isabella hadn’t expected this. Not after being granted the diamond mine. A rare warmth flickered in her usually icy gaze.
Before she could pick up the pen, her adoptive father Frederick Montgomery protested loudly. “Father, have you gone mad? She already has a diamond mine worth billions! Why give her more? She doesn’t need it!”
Victoria quickly chimed in. “He’s right. Isabella is already overwhelmed. Managing Gray Diamond Empire, her modeling career… Adding family business responsibilities would be too much.”
Currently, William held thirty percent. Eleanor and Frederick each had twenty. Penelope and Gregory held ten. Benjamin had five. Sophia had five. Victoria possessed fifteen.
That left fifteen percent unclaimed.
Since Benjamin had willingly given his five percent to Victoria, she now held twenty. She had been coveting the remaining fifteen. With it, she would control thirty-five percent—more than William himself. She would become the majority shareholder and chair of the board.
She couldn’t let Isabella take it.
But William was firm. “Isabella has always been a Montgomery. She deserves these shares. As for the mine—she earned it with her own blood. If any of you are willing to risk your lives for one, you may keep yours too.”
He turned to Isabella. “Sign it. Ignore them.”
Isabella nodded. She took the pen and signed her name. If she refused, these shares would end up with Victoria. She would never allow that.
The room burned with hostile stares. Especially Victoria’s. She looked ready to explode.
She had waited five years for those shares. And now Isabella stole them. The woman already owned a diamond mine! Why did she need more?
“Everyone out,” William commanded. “I wish to speak with Isabella alone.”
They left, seething with resentment.
Once they were gone, William gestured for Isabella to approach. “Come. Sit with me.”
She moved closer and sat beside him. “Grandfather, regarding the mine…”
Even if he asked, she would never hand it over to the Montgomery family.
William patted her hand gently. “You did the right thing. You were never truly one of them. I can protect you now, but when I’m gone, they will turn on you.”
“You must safeguard your own fortune. You have no real family. Wealth is your only true ally.”
Isabella felt a pang of emotion. But confusion remained. “Why are you so kind to me?” she asked.
Everyone else despised her. Only William treated her like his own granddaughter. It made no sense.
A shadow crossed William’s eyes, there and gone in a flash. “You will understand in time.” He squeezed her hand. “For now, do not ask. It is not yet the moment.”
This only deepened Isabella’s bewilderment. What was he hiding? Why would he show such devotion to an adopted child? What secret lay behind his kindness?