Chapter 422

Lawrence looked at Ishara, who was so anxious that she quickly shook her head at him. "Grandma was just desperate. How could she drag you into this, Lawrence? As for the company's wealth, I never cared... It's just that Dad really loves Winnie, and the lavish gifts he gives her might upset my mom, and consequently me. But I don't want to trouble you. I'll get over my sadness in no time."

She tried to stop him with a bitter smile, yet her pale cheeks, heavy breathing, and tears welling up in the corner of her eye betrayed her distress. She seemed so heartbroken, as if she might faint at any second.

Lawrence furrowed his brows, recalling the doctor's instructions: she mustn't be upset, her emotions must remain stable. Any fluctuations could strain her heart, jeopardizing her ability to meet the requirements for donating blood to his mother.

The Blanchet family, however, was oblivious to this.

The man's heart grew cold, and in the end, he didn't spare Winnie another glance, replying indifferently with knitted brows, "Mr. Blanchet, 10% of the shares is not a trifling matter. Such a gift is too much for a daughter who has just returned. Ishara also deserves her share, and if she can't manage it herself, she can entrust it to a professional manager. You can't bully her for not understanding the company's affairs as that would be an unfair distribution."

Winnie stared at him. Having said all she had to say, Lawrence was just cradling Ishara in his arms. She pondered his words, 'Unfair distribution?' She stared at his merciless mouth, feeling as if a knife had just stabbed through her.

He really was favoring Ishara. Facing his ex-wife, whom he had just separated from, he uttered such beastly words. He had even forgotten the bond they shared through their two sons.

In his supposed effort to advocate for Ishara's interests, this man ruthlessly slapped her, causing public embarrassment. Returning to the Blanchet family alone and powerless didn't evoke feelings of remorse or fear in her. However, his aligning with this group to "exclude" her struck a deep chord of pain within her.

Once again, she was defeated by his indifference. Winnie clung to the edge of the table to steady herself.

A cold smile crossed her face as she let out a clear laugh, saying, "So this is what Lawrence thinks!"

Lawrence's deep features stiffened, his face becoming increasingly inscrutable.

Ishara cast a covert glance at the defeated Winnie, her face showing a touch of moved emotion, helplessly saying, "Lawrence, you've offended Winnie for my sake, why bother..."

The man sighed deeply in his heart. It wasn't actually for her but just for her "body." He then looked at Ishara with concern and asked, "Are you feeling better, Ishara?"

"With what you just said, I'm not sad at all, even if Father gives all the shares to Winnie, I would be happy for her..."

"That's good. You need to always stay calm, Ishara," the man reassured her gently.

Winnie's nails dug into her palm until they drew blood, the coppery taste spreading in her palms. As she watched their blatant display of affection, listened to Ishara's nothings, and observed Lawrence's anxious concern and care for Ishara, her eyes reddened with emotion.

Originally, she had no intention of fighting. The Blanchet family's wealth had nothing to do with her since she had her own pride, her abilities, and her own career. But at that moment, her sincerity shattered, and her patience snapped as a towering rage welled up within her. It seemed that an honest person like her had to be robbed of their man and inheritance by a scheming bitch.

She could do without the inheritance, but now she had to use it as a weapon. She then reassured herself, 'Winnie, don't be foolish! Lawrence doesn't allow you to have it? Doesn't allow you to touch Ishara's shares?'

She was now more determined than ever to have the 10% shares.

Winnie abruptly turned her head, noticing Carlos's displeased expression, and scoffed coldly, "As for the gift Dad gave me, I haven't had the chance to share my opinion yet. Grandma, Eleanor, and Ishara have all spoken, and even some irrelevant individuals have weighed in. Now it's my turn. I genuinely appreciate Dad's gift, and I'm ready to accept it!"

Winnie snatched the documents from Carlos, her lips curling coldly.

Eleanor and Ishara's eyes shifted slightly. They hadn't expected that with so many people opposing, she would make such a shameless move.

"How can you be so shameless?" Angela burst out, fuming in anger as she observed Winnie's unabashed demeanor. "Just look at her, a greedy and vain creature! Uncle Carlos and Grandma, can't you see? Just 10% of the shares and she can't sit still, fighting over Ishara. Truly ugly!"

Winnie retorted, "Do you have a share in that 10%? If not, why are you interfering? Are all the ladies in Trento City like you, Angela, uneducated, jeering, self-righteous, and loud? You've really broadened the horizons of us country folks." Winnie strode past, effortlessly asserting her authority over Angela with a few incisive remarks. Despite the firmness of her words, her voice remained soft and gentle, harmonizing with her striking appearance, rendering her reprimand oddly agreeable.

"You!" Angela was momentarily speechless, taken aback by Winnie's sudden barrage, stomping her foot in frustration.

Patricia, supporting her granddaughter, looked down on Winnie with disdain. "Carlos, you're too hasty to give her your gift. You don't show restraint at all. Just now, Ishara was holding back her grievances, considering you, the newcomer, Winnie. But it seems you fear being outdone by her. With that attitude, Lawrence is correct-you don't deserve 10% of the Blanchet family's shares!"

Winnie chuckled coldly in her heart, pondering how Ishara could manipulate Lawrence into speaking for her without feigning distress, effectively causing her own emotional pain.

She stood up leisurely, laughing lightly. "So, who truly deserves to own 10% of the shares? Dad, I'm curious, did the Blanchet family achieve success through kindness, weakness, and modesty?

"And Grandma, in your youth, you were a formidable figure. The company flourished through capability and resourcefulness, isn't that correct? Or was it through indulgence?"

Her words were neither hurried nor slow, the irony subtle yet evident, drawing Ishara and Patricia into her retort.

A crack appeared in Ishara's eyes; Winnie was mocking her.

Patricia, taken aback, had a stiff expression. "You... Who gave you the audacity to speak to me in that tone? Carlos, how ill-mannered is she? She doesn't resemble a Blanchet family member at all!"

Carlos started to suffer from a headache.

Winnie, with a smile, calmly said, "Since Grandma says I'm ill-mannered, I might as well play the villain. I'm definitely more capable of owning that 10% of the shares than my sister. I'm healthy, entered the business circle at 18, and understand the operations of the company. I've dabbled in jewelry, real estate, and some other industries. Although I can't claim to be an expert, I own Triton Jewelry, which is doing quite well.

"My sister says she's frail and powerless, not competitive for fame or profit. She must really not care about these shares then..."

Ishara was furious inside, her words had just had a good effect. But now, they were being used against her by Winnie.

Winnie's eyes narrowed as she addressed Ishara directly, "Given Ishara's disinterest in fame and fortune while I'm competitive, I'll accept the shares on her behalf. It's to assist Dad further in the company. How can anyone claim Dad made an unfair distribution or bullied Ishara, who's less familiar with family operations? What's your take on this, Dad?"

The last two sentences were directly aimed at Lawrence.

The man's face turned cold as he noticed that Winnie was always holding a grudge, wanting to curse him to death.