Chapter 313

Vivian shot her husband a look dripping with disdain, her lips curling at his proposal. "We're not handing over all our shares to you," she declared firmly.

Every fiber of her being warned that surrendering their stake to Adrian would slam the door on any chance of reclaiming what was rightfully theirs.

Adrian merely quirked an eyebrow, his expression unreadable. "Liquidating Dawson Enterprises could be your lifeline. Don't forget - I'm not your only potential buyer."

Richard chose that moment to interject. "This isn't our concern anymore, so we'll take our leave. Frankly, if not for your mother's legacy, I'd rather flush this money down the drain than invest it here."

He added with deliberate casualness, "Speaking of which, I heard The Mariner's Catch just got a shipment of fresh bluefin tuna. Let's grab some before it's gone."

Adrian's lips twisted into a mocking smile as he watched Richard's reaction.

Richard's face cycled through shades of pale to crimson, his entire frame trembling with outrage. "Ungrateful wretch! How did I raise such a disgrace?"

Adrian tsked in response. "Considering half my DNA comes from questionable sources, is this outcome really so surprising?"

Richard's expression darkened instantly. "Mind your tongue. She's my wife now. Any insult you throw at her, you're throwing at me."

Richard's hand twitched toward a teacup before thinking better of it and withdrawing.

Adrian's presence alone was enough to make most men reconsider their actions. More importantly, everyone knew his threats weren't empty - he always followed through.

Richard couldn't help but regret how things had deteriorated between Vivian and Adrian. When Vivian first married into the Blackwood family, she'd been the envy of Crestwood's elite. Even the Sterling family, who felt publicly humiliated, could do nothing but swallow their pride.

Even without direct support from Adrian, Richard's association with the Blackwoods had opened countless doors. Now there was no going back.

"I'll sell my shares. I own five percent."

Another shareholder stepped forward cautiously. "What's your offer?"

Adrian paused dramatically before holding up three fingers. "Three million?"

The man's eyes bulged. Even at peak valuation, the shares barely touched two million and were nearly impossible to sell - this price for a failing company was ludicrous.

Adrian chuckled darkly. "Three hundred thousand."

"Three hundred thousand?" they gasped. "That's highway robbery!"

Adrian crossed her legs leisurely. "Beyond the Dawson family's fifty-five percent, the remaining forty-five is worth maybe two seventy. Sign today, and I pay cash. Plus..." Her voice dropped to a dangerous purr. "I'll make sure any... creative accounting you've participated in stays buried."

"You'll walk away clean with no risk of exposure. Because if I bring these books to light?" She smirked. "You'd be lucky to get thirty grand for your shares."

Adrian's gaze swept over the documents littering the floor before fixing each shareholder with a look that promised retribution. The silent threat hung heavy in the air.