Chapter 1317:

The tense silence that followed was broken by Felicia’s calm but authoritative voice. “Your problem isn’t with Elyse, Thea,” she said evenly, “it’s with me—your so-called grandmother.”

Felicia turned to Thea, her eyes gleaming sharply. Thea caught her gaze and immediately felt a chill, quickly averting her eyes. Felicia’s intense stare never wavered.

“You resent me for not treating you well. You’ve been loyal to me, yet I’ve favored Elyse with the best benefits. Am I right?”

Resigned to the fact that no argument would change Felicia’s stance, Thea gathered her courage. Her voice, thick with frustration, challenged, “Exactly. That’s your way! Has Elyse ever taken care of you for even a day? Why does she get all the preferential treatment and the company shares? What about me? Don’t my years of dedication mean anything?”

Elyse stood quietly to the side, her expression hardening. She had never taken care of Felicia, and she couldn’t understand why Felicia would trust her with anything.

Felicia kept her gaze fixed on Thea and asked, “Do you think I’ve been unfair? Do you feel I’ve neglected our relationship of more than twenty years to favor someone I barely know just because we’re related by blood?”

“Yes! That’s exactly what it is! You don’t deserve the kindness I’ve shown you!” Thea snapped, her tone rising with anger.

Unable to remain silent, Pearce intervened, his voice cutting through the tension. “You’re wrong. Originally, most of the assets and company shares were intended for you.”

Thea’s face twisted in disbelief. “That can’t be true! She would never favor me that much! She’s only concerned about Elyse!”

Felicia slowly rose from her seat and walked toward Thea, her movements deliberate.

“Thea, I may be old, but I haven’t lost my hearing or my sight. I overheard your conversation with your father on the phone.”

At this, Thea froze instantly.

“When? I don’t remember anything like that!” Thea exclaimed in disbelief.

Felicia responded calmly, “You don’t remember? The day before your dad framed my son and had him imprisoned. You were in the garden on a call. I heard every word.”

Thea’s face drained of color as her eyes darted nervously, but she still insisted, “I don’t remember that at all. I never made that call. You must be making this up to keep the company shares from me.”

Felicia regarded her with a measured, sideways glance.

“You were pressing your dad about why he lost his nerve, about why he didn’t wait for my passing to make his move. That way, you would get the majority of the shares.”

“That’s not true, Grandma. You’re mistaken. I have no interest in the shares.” Thea, caught off guard by Felicia’s revelation, stammered, scrambling to defend herself.

But Felicia’s trust in her had already begun to crumble. She sank back into her chair, her expression serious. . . .