chapter 5
On the day Winnie was discharged from the hospital, my father got a phone call.
I watched the color drain from his face.
“No. That’s impossible. How could that happen?”
It happened because words had power around me now.
Around that same time, through a chain of perfectly legal and entirely untraceable share transfers, fifty percent of the Meng Group stock under my father’s name and under names he controlled had already moved into my hands.
Everything was signed.
Everything was valid.
Everything had taken effect.
Just like that, I became the largest shareholder in Meng Group.
Fifty percent.
Absolute control.
In the living room, my father’s breathing turned ragged. “This has to be a mistake. Madeline, come with me to the company. Transfer the shares back immediately.”
I sat down slowly and crossed my legs.
“Why would I do that?”
My brother charged at me first. “Why? Because those are Meng family shares! Give them back and maybe we’ll still let you eat in this house.”
I looked at him and almost laughed.
“Open your eyes. You’re the ones who should be begging me for a living now. If you annoy me, I can call a board meeting with the fifty percent I hold and throw every one of you out.”
That shut them up.
Not because they agreed.
Because they knew I could do it.
Once the shock settled, my next target was obvious.
Winnie.
The fake daughter who had occupied my place for eighteen years.
The next day, my father came to me again, still trying to reason his way back into power.
“Madeline, you can’t keep fifty percent all to yourself. Technically, it should be split among the three children. Your brother deserves his share, and Winnie should get some too.”
I nodded thoughtfully. “You’re right about one thing. Ethan and I are both your biological children. Our shares can be split fairly. But Winnie? She’s only adopted. Ten percent is already generous.”
Then I let the hook sink deeper.
“Unless,” I added lightly, “Winnie is your biological daughter too. Then the three of us could divide it evenly. Too bad she isn’t.”
My father was about to argue.
Then he stopped.
Something flickered across his face.
A thought.
A possibility.
Then he gave me a strained smile and left in a hurry.
I watched him go and smiled to myself.
Got you.
A week later, Meng Group held an emergency shareholders’ meeting.
My father stood at the head of the room and cleared his throat. “There’s a family matter I need to clarify. The share transfer confusion happened because some truths were hidden for too long. Madeline… Winnie is actually your biological sister. I was afraid you’d be hurt after coming home, so I didn’t say anything before.”
The room erupted in whispers.
I sat in my chair and clapped slowly.
Beautiful.
My father saw my calm expression and rushed on. “Since the three of you are all my biological children, then naturally the shares should be redistributed fairly. If you don’t believe me, I have a DNA test from a reputable lab.”
I did not take the envelope.
I just looked at him and asked very clearly, “Dad, are you sure Winnie is your biological daughter?”
He slapped a hand to his chest and answered without the slightest hesitation.
“I’m sure. Winnie is my daughter.”
My heart nearly laughed itself raw.
That was all I needed.
“Wonderful,” I said. “Then for fairness, I’d like a new DNA test done right here.”
My brother immediately objected. “That’s ridiculous!”
My mother and Winnie both looked panicked for a second.
I raised an eyebrow. “Why? If it’s true, what are you afraid of?”
All around the room, the other shareholders were already trading looks.
My father was cornered.
He gritted his teeth and agreed.
The samples were taken.
The waiting began.
And when the results arrived, everything broke exactly the way I wanted.