Chapter 423: Have You No Shame?

“Let’s just drop it. There’s no point in continuing this meeting. It’s a waste of time.”

A few directors stood to leave after the statement. Fortunately, Janessa, mentally prepared, remained calm.

“Ladies and gentlemen, please let me finish. Do you think I’d have the audacity to stand here without support, seeking your approval?”

Janessa smiled confidently, producing documents from a folder and presenting them to the shareholders.

“What is this?”

“What on earth is this?”

Confusion rippled through the shareholders.

Janessa smiled. “This is my father’s will.”

“What?”

“There’s a will? Is the Chairman’s health failing?”

“Show us the will.”

Several shareholders seized the will and scrutinized it. Janessa calmly handed it over, her smile widening.

“Ladies and gentlemen, my father’s will transfers thirty percent of his company shares to me. Isn’t this proof of how much he valued me?”

The shareholders intensely analyzed the will. Its contents largely matched Janessa’s claims; she hadn’t lied.

Had Rupert truly bequeathed his inheritance to his illegitimate daughter? For a moment, everyone was stunned. However, the will, bearing Rupert’s seal, was undeniable. Janessa appeared to have secured control of the company. Even deeply dissatisfied, the shareholders remained silent.

“Ladies and gentlemen, this was my father’s decision. I hope you’ll respect his wishes. Your cooperation would be greatly appreciated.”

Janessa gave a curt bow, her gesture lacking respect, appearing smug instead. The shareholders sighed, speechless.

Just as acceptance settled, the conference room door burst open.

Scarlet stormed in, declaring, “I don’t agree!”

All eyes turned to the Chairman’s wife, who, with her daughter, rushed toward Janessa.

“Janessa, your father is still alive! You dare seize power openly? You have some nerve!”

Scarlet raged, her eyes wide. Cheryl and her brother, Caleb, glared with indignation.

Janessa laughed. “Of course, I know my father isn’t dead. But shouldn’t we prepare for the unforeseen?”

“Even if we had to prepare, your father would never choose you!” Scarlet shouted.

Janessa scoffed. “Why wouldn’t he?”

“My capabilities surpass Cheryl and Caleb. Everyone’s witnessed that. Dad is choosing a competent successor, not playing house. Besides,” she said, holding up the will, “everything is clearly stated here. If you want to argue, take it up with Father. Can we stop wasting time, please?”

Janessa looked at Scarlet and her children with disdain, viewing them as insignificant.

Scarlet snatched the will, her eyes widening in rage.

“Impossible! This can’t be!”

“What’s impossible?” Janessa scoffed.

Scarlet lashed out. “This will is a forgery! You fabricated it to seize power! You’re ruthless!”

“Exactly, how could our father possibly pass on the inheritance to you? Stop bluffing!” Cheryl added.

“Me, shameless? Me, showing off?” Janessa scoffed, surprised by their stubborn denial.

“Fine then. If you claim my will is a forgery, present your evidence.”

Janessa raised her voice, ensuring everyone heard. “The will was personally drafted by our father, and it bears his seal—a seal everyone knows about! My father hides it well; an ordinary person couldn’t obtain it. How could I forge it? Do you think I have supernatural abilities?”

“You’re unwilling to accept the truth. Fine. Bring forth evidence of my alleged forgery. Don’t make baseless accusations!”

Ignoring the trio, Janessa addressed the board. “Thank you for attending. I’ve said all I needed to say. I hope for your future cooperation. Meeting dismissed!”

Janessa, clutching the will, pushed past Scarlet and her children, departing with haste and determination.

The directors and shareholders shook their heads, helplessly retreating.

“That wretched woman!” Scarlet exploded, barely containing her fury.

Cheryl stepped forward to calm her mother. “Mom, you need to cool down.”

“Janessa is right,” they said. “Even if we were certain the will was fake, we lacked evidence.”

“Yeah, Mom, let’s calm down and find a solution,” Caleb suggested.

Scarlet, overwhelmed by grief and anger, sat on the floor, striking it repeatedly in anguish.

“Oh, heavens above, I implore you to see our plight! Spare our Sherritt family from this absurd fate!”