C264 A Future For Monica

Samantha remained seated behind her desk, her expression calm, while Nicolas and Lindsey Heaps stared at her in disbelief. Neither of them had expected their own daughter to negotiate with them so coldly. For a long moment, the office fell silent. Finally, Nicolas spoke in a hoarse voice. "My daughter... are you really forcing your own father into a corner?"

Samantha folded her hands on the desk. "No." Her voice remained steady. "I am giving you a choice." She leaned back in her chair. "You came here asking me to save your company. I never invited you here. You are the ones asking for help, yet you still want everything to remain exactly as it benefits you." Neither Nicolas nor Lindsey could respond. Samantha continued calmly, "Father, if you truly believe Monica is your granddaughter... then giving her shares shouldn't be difficult."

Nicolas clenched his fists. "It isn't about that." "Oh?" Samantha tilted her head. "Then what is it about?" "My life's work!" Nicolas shouted. "I built that company from nothing! Every share I own represents years of sacrifice!" Samantha nodded slowly. "I understand." Her answer surprised him. "I truly understand." She looked directly into his eyes. "Which is exactly why I asked for shares instead of money."

She paused before continuing. "If I wanted revenge, I would have asked for the company itself." Nicolas froze. "But I didn't." "I simply asked you to secure your granddaughter's future." Again, silence filled the office. Lindsey slowly wiped away her tears. "My child..." She looked at Samantha with pleading eyes. "Can't you lower it?" Samantha shook her head. "No." "What if..." Lindsey hesitated. "What if we give Monica fifteen percent?"

Samantha smiled faintly. "You've already started negotiating." Lindsey lowered her head in embarrassment. "I..." Samantha interrupted gently, "Mother, this isn't a market." "It is compensation." She slowly stood up and walked towards the large window overlooking the city. "You both spent years talking about my future." Her voice softened. "But not once did you ask what future I actually wanted."

Neither parent dared interrupt. "You chose Ben." "You chose the Wood Family." "You chose the partnership." "You chose the company." She slowly turned around. "But none of those choices were mine." Her gaze became much colder. "So today..." "I am choosing my daughter's future." Those words struck Lindsey particularly hard. She began crying again. "My child..." "I'm sorry." "I truly am." "If I could return to those days..." "I would never have allowed your father to force that marriage."

Samantha smiled sadly. "But you didn't stop him." Lindsey lowered her head. "I know." "You watched." "You agreed." "You convinced me." Every sentence felt heavier than the last. Lindsey finally covered her face as she cried openly. Nicolas looked at his wife before looking back at Samantha. He suddenly realised something. No matter what they said... The little girl who once depended on them was gone. The woman sitting before them was no longer their obedient daughter.

She was now the ruthless Vice Director of Wood IT Company. More importantly... She was Monica's mother. After nearly a minute of silence, Nicolas finally sighed. "...Fine." Lindsey looked at him in surprise. "Nicolas..." He slowly nodded. "I agree." He looked towards Samantha. "Thirty percent." "But only because it belongs to Monica." Samantha's expression did not change. She simply asked, "And?" Nicolas frowned. "And what?" "You haven't finished."

He immediately understood. Taking a deep breath, he reluctantly added, "I will prepare the legal documents transferring thirty percent of my shares to Monica." "The transfer will become effective immediately after the paperwork is completed." Samantha nodded with satisfaction. "Good." She returned to her chair before continuing, "As for management rights..." Nicolas quickly interrupted. "I remain Managing Director." "I make all operational decisions."

Samantha nodded. "For now." His eyebrows twitched. "What does that mean?" She answered honestly. "It means exactly what I said earlier." "We don't know what will happen in the future." She smiled faintly. "You might become even greedier." "You might even sell your remaining shares." "If that happens..." "My daughter will already have enough influence to protect herself." Nicolas could only sigh. He had no strength left to argue. He simply nodded. "I accept."

Samantha finally reached for a sheet of paper and wrote down several points. "Have your legal department draft everything according to today's discussion." "Include the thirty-percent transfer to Monica." "Include every shareholder amendment." "When everything is ready..." "Send the documents directly to me." She looked at Nicolas. "I'll review them personally." "If everything is correct..." "I'll sign." "After that, I'll speak to Director Sarah regarding the renewal of the partnership."

A trace of relief finally appeared on Nicolas's exhausted face. "Thank you." Samantha shook her head. "Don't thank me." "I'm not doing this for you." "I'm doing it for Monica." Lindsey slowly stood up. "My child..." She looked at Samantha for a long time before speaking softly. "You've changed so much." Samantha smiled gently. "I have." She looked out of the office window once more. "Because some people kept testing my kindness until there was nothing left to test."

Those words pierced Lindsey's heart. She nodded silently. Without saying another word, she and Nicolas slowly walked towards the office door. Just before leaving, Nicolas stopped. Without turning around, he spoke quietly, "...I hope one day you'll truly forgive us." Samantha looked at his back. Her voice remained calm. "Whether that day comes or not..." "Only time can decide." Nicolas gave a bitter smile. "I understand." He opened the door. The couple quietly left the office.

The moment the door closed behind them, Samantha released a long breath she had been holding in. Her strong expression gradually softened. She looked towards the photograph on her desk of herself, Chris, Sarah, Monica and the rest of the Wood family. A faint smile slowly appeared on her face. "So this..." She whispered to herself, "...is what having people who truly protect you feels like."

After sitting quietly for another moment, she picked up her phone and glanced at the time. "Lunch..." She smiled warmly. "I've already kept Sarah waiting long enough." With that, Samantha stood up, straightened her clothes, picked up her handbag, and left her office, making her way towards Sarah's office for lunch.