Chapter 4

After all, three years ago, Carter Group was on the verge of bankruptcy due to failed financing.

That's when Carter came to me for help. I agreed to support Carter Group.

But the condition was that I had to be the largest controlling shareholder of Carter Group.

Over three years, I invested a lot of money into Carter Group. Including recently when they wanted to buy land in the east district to enter real estate development—I was the one who guaranteed their bank mortgage loan.

Now, Mia wanted to swallow such a huge compensation payment for another man.

I could make her go bankrupt!

Behind me came Mia's disdainful laugh.

"William, whether you have the ability to touch my family's company accounts remains to be seen!"

She pulled out a document from her bag and threw it in my face.

"Open your eyes and look clearly—who exactly is the controlling shareholder of Carter Group now!"

The sharp edge of the paper cut a bloody mark across my cheek.

The contract actually stated that Mia had transferred all my shares to Joey's name a week ago.

Not only that, she'd also transferred over a dozen of my subsidiary companies to Joey.

The seal on the signature was my grandmother's private seal.

I suddenly remembered—before Grandma died, she'd given her private seal to Mia.

Back then, she treated Mia as family, so she entrusted her with the seal that could influence major company decisions, hoping Mia would work with me to grow the Jones Group.

I never expected she'd exploit this loophole and turn it into leverage against me!

"I endured your foul temper all this time because the paperwork hadn't been finalized. But now everything's settled. William, you're nothing but a penniless bum now!"

Mia surveyed the mess in the room, speaking lightly.

"As for the compensation, we'll just process it through those subsidiaries of yours. You've made quite a bit of money over the years, but in the end, it's all been a wedding dress for us!"

"Consider this your apology gift to Joey."

Joey, looking like a petty villain who'd just won, came before me.

"William, the wheel of fortune turns. You've been the heir for so many years—it's time for a change. But given our relationship, I won't let you sleep on the streets. Carter Group happens to need a security guard. You can start right away."

I stared at the two of them without speaking.

Mia waved her hand, and several bodyguards entered from outside.

"I can give you one chance now. As long as you kneel here and repent for three hours, our wedding can proceed as scheduled."

The floor was covered with broken glass from wine bottles. Kneeling for three hours would probably cripple both legs.

Mia was deliberately trying to humiliate me.

Seeing I didn't move, she smiled disdainfully.

"Don't worry. Even if you become disabled, I can support you for life."

Joey pressed down on my shoulders, forcing me to kneel.

He even pulled out his phone and started a livestream, pointing the camera at my face.

"William, what are you waiting for? Hurry up and kneel!"

I couldn't hold back anymore and punched him in the nose.

Mia screamed, about to stop me.

But the bodyguards who'd been standing around suddenly surrounded her instead.

In her bewildered gaze, I shook my slightly numb right hand and said coldly:

"Mia, you've misunderstood something."

"Grandma's private seal can indeed authorize shareholder transfers, but only if we're officially married. But you're an outsider who hasn't even entered the Jones family. Your actions constitute commercial theft, and I have the right to pursue all your illegal activities."

"As for Carter Group, the moment it lost me as its backer, it was already being carved up. I didn't even need to lift a finger."

As I finished speaking, her phone vibrated frantically.