After reading it thoroughly, I confirmed that Amelia possessed eight percent of the shares in Smith Corporation. Despite the small proportion, it was worth a king’s ransom to a poor lady like me. I could stop working and live a good life with the dividends every year.
“Back then, the Smith family was facing a lawsuit and in need of cash. I asked your dad for investment, but he rejected me because he needed the money for another lucrative investment. I left in disappointment, but your mom came to my house very soon.”
Sharon’s eyes beamed when she immersed herself in the memory. “Your mom was smart; nevertheless, your dad didn’t heed her advice. So, you can imagine they didn’t get along well back then. She secretly invested two hundred million, for she believed that the Smiths’ project would deliver better returns than your dad’s plan. That was why she received eight percent of the shares in return without your dad’s knowledge.”
I had never heard someone talk about my mom for a long time. When Sharon mentioned her, I felt a little uncomfortable and only put on a faint smile in response. My heart would sink every time her name was mentioned.
“Grandma, why are you telling me this?”
Fixating her gaze upon me, she took out another document from the folder and handed it over to me. “Your mom’s shares are supposed to be yours. Now, I’ll transfer them to you. Besides, I’ll gift two percent of my shares to you.”
My hand became stiff as soon as I took the share transfer agreement. Sharon intended to transfer ten percent of shares in Smith Corporation to me. I would no longer worry about making my ends meet once I signed on the paper.
Nonetheless, I felt that the document in my hands was a hot potato and had an almost irresistible impulse to throw it away. After going through ups and downs in all these years, I learned to be cautious and never accept a free meal.
“Grandma, I can’t accept the shares. Please keep it…”
“Please don’t decline it right away,” Sharon interrupted, “Consider the two percent of shares as my compensation to you, for I’m aware that you’ve suffered a lot ever since you married Lyle.”
Sharon heaved a sigh as though she was embarrassed to continue. After hesitating for a while, she added, “I lied to Lyle so that he would marry you willingly. Deep down, I’ve never intended to pass your mom’s shares to him. Eve, do you believe me?”
I wasn’t sure if I ought to believe Sharon. However, my heart softened when I felt the sincerity in her eyes and read the documents. Given that Sharon was old and lying on the bed in the hospital, I thought there was no reason for her to deceive me.
I nodded and replied seriously, “I believe you!”
Instantly, Sharon’s lips curled into a smile of relief. She patted my hand and said delightedly, “You’re always my loved one. Anyway, I have my reasons not to tell anyone about it. When I realized that you were fond of Lyle, I grabbed the opportunity to pair off you guys. Alas, who would have thought that fate has other plans?”
“I’m sorry, Grandma,” I apologized while lowering my head. Sharon wanted the best for Lyle and me. Nevertheless, we weren’t meant for each other.
“Have you made up your mind to get a divorce?” Sharon asked another question.
Initially, I wanted to tell Sharon that it wasn’t that urgent. When I thought about Christopher and what Lyle and Crystal did to me, I hesitated no more.
At that moment, my only wish was to be with Christopher to live a happy life that belonged to me. Despite Sharon’s kindness, she couldn’t make decisions on behalf of Lyle or force him to treat me well.
Meanwhile, I felt embarrassed to tell her about the past incidents.
“Grandma, there are many things that I can’t control myself. So, I have to apologize to you.” After returning the agreements to Sharon, I added, “I can’t accept these. Since the shares belong to my mom, she will return one day and retrieve them by herself.”
