The CEO's Midnight Remedy novel Chapter 157

Chapter 157

Her knuckles whitened against the banister before she wordlessly stepped aside.

Father sat behind his massive mahogany desk when I entered his study. He didn’t look up until I was

seated.

“I’ve decided to transfer fifteen percent of Harper Group shares to you,” he stated without preamble.

“Twenty–five percent,” I countered. “Plus a seat on the board.”

My father’s eyebrows rose. “Fifteen percent now, with an additional five upon your thirtieth birthday. No

board seat until then.”

“Twenty percent now, with the board seat,” I maintained eye contact, refusing to blink first.

My father’s expression hardened. “Your mother would be disappointed. She wanted this family to remain

harmonious.”

The mention of my mother from his lips ignited something fierce within me. “Don’t you dare use her name to manipulate me,” I said quietly. “Not when you replaced her with Victoria before she was even cold in her

grave.”

“Watch your tone,” he warned.

“Or what? Tell me–what exactly happened in the weeks before Mom died? Because I’m starting to piece together some very interesting information.”

My father’s face flushed with anger, but suddenly he clutched at his chest, his breathing becoming labored.

“Dad?” My anger transformed to concern as I rushed around the desk, ignoring the sharp pain in my ribs.

He gestured weakly toward a drawer. “Pills… left drawer

As I searched frantically for his medication, I noticed a false bottom in the drawer–something my father clearly hadn’t intended for me to see. Finding the pills, helped him take one with water from a nearby

decanter.

Once recovered, he coldly ordered me to leave. I hesitated, torn between concern and frustration, before quietly closing the door behind me.

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Chapter 157

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Instead of heading downstairs, I detoured to the master bedroom. I entered without knocking and walked

directly to Victoria’s closet.

Using my good hand, I opened her jewelry box, finding the diamond earrings my father had given her for their first anniversary–earrings that had once belonged to my mother.

I pocketed them, wincing as the movement jarred my injured ribs. Then I reached for her favorite perfume -a custom–blended scent that cost $3,000 per ounce. With gritted teeth, I removed the cap with my left hand and poured the contents into the sink. Each twist of my body sent shards of pain through my ribs, but the satisfaction overrode the discomfort.

Victoria burst in just as I was finishing. Her face contorted from shock to rage. “You psychotic bitch!” she screamed, lunging toward me.

“If you ever mistreat Elsa again, it won’t be just a bag next time.” I stepped closer, lowering my voice. “I see the marks on her arms, Victoria. I know what you’ve been doing.”

Her eyes widened in shock, then narrowed in fury.

“I’m moving back in,” I announced. “Effective immediately.”

In the kitchen later, I could clearly see the fading bruise on Elsa’s cheekbone that makeup couldn’t fully

conceal.

“You shouldn’t have done that, Miss Aria,” she whispered, wringing her hands. “She’ll be furious.”

“Let her be,” I replied, gently taking her weathered hands in mine. “Elsa, you don’t have to stay here. I can help you find another position.”

Elsa’s eyes filled with tears. “I promised your mother. Before she died, I promised I would stay until you were married and settled.”

Her words struck me like a physical blow. This woman had endured years of abuse out of loyalty.

“Then I’m staying too,” I decided, squeezing her hands. “I’ll move back in a few days. Victoria won’t touch you again, I promise.”

Elsa’s expression held both gratitude and worry. “It won’t be easy for you, Miss Aria.”

“I know, I said softly. “But neither am I.”