Vance Larson, the corporate lawyer, stepped forward and asked Natalie with polite professionalism, “Ms. Keller, may I review your shareholding documents?”

Natalie confidently retrieved a file from her bag. She had anticipated skepticism and came prepared.

A tense silence filled the room as Vance scrutinized the papers. About ten minutes passed, and he removed his glasses.

Natalie tilted her chin up, radiating triumph. She eagerly anticipated Vance announcing the results. Ross and Shermaine were about to be humiliated. She was absolutely certain that Ruth’s shares were rightfully in her hands.

Vance said, “As Mr. Ross Jean stated, Ms. Keller holds no valid voting rights.”

Natalie’s face paled in an instant. “What nonsense! How could I not have voting rights?”

Jameson stiffened. He thought, ‘I paid ten billion dollars. How is the agreement fake?’

The shareholders erupted in murmurs. No one had seen this twist coming.

Vance continued, “This shareholding agreement is forged.”

“How can it be fake? I paid ten billion dollars for these shares,” Natalie shot up from her seat, her voice sharp and trembling. She couldn’t accept this result.

Vance pointed to the fine print. “Ms. Keller, observe here.”

Natalie’s hands trembled as she leaned in and saw a line of tiny text. It was almost invisible. This wasn’t the document Jameson had given her. Someone had switched it.

She thought, ‘Jasper didn’t just trick Ruth. He tricked me, too.’ The realization hit her like a sledgehammer. In an instant, her legs felt weak, nearly giving out beneath her.

Jameson, seeing Natalie’s expression and thinking about the ten billion dollars he had spent, snatched the contract, his expression darkening with every word.

Jason hadn’t anticipated this twist. Natalie had been ecstatic for days after claiming she had secured Ruth’s shares, even calling to assure him that Jean Group would soon be his.

He had allowed himself to believe Ross’ reign was finally ending, especially with Jameson exiling him overseas. No more Ross meant no risk of Danielle rekindling old flames.

But the documents were undeniably fake. Vance advised, “Ms. Keller, you may want to file a police report to recover those ten billion dollars.”

Jameson’s fury erupted. He thought, ‘Report what? That conman vanished without a trace. Where exactly is the real contract now? Could it be with him? Wait, Ross knew Natalie had no voting rights, and considering everything else, the 15% shares hadn’t gone to an outsider.’

Jameson’s gaze snapped at Shermaine. “You have the real transfer document, right?”

Shermaine’s eyes narrowed. “Ross has it, which practically means it’s in my hands. It amounts to the same thing for you, doesn’t it?”

“This is a fraud!” Jameson snarled.

“Careful with accusations, Mr. Jean,” Shermaine said calmly. “The scammer took Natalie’s money, then came to me with the real document for another payout.”

Jameson’s jaw tightened visibly. Clearly, he didn’t buy it.

“Lies!” Natalie shrieked. “You bribed that man. This was your scheme all along!”

Shermaine’s smile didn’t waver. She thought, ‘Exactly. But without proof, what can they do?’

With a faint smile, she said, “That’s slander, Ms. Keller. I could sue.”