Chapter 3

Her scream brought the other three running.

Kyle went for the first-aid kit.Mr.Walker called the family doctor.Mrs.Walker stared at the blood on Lillian's foot,then snapped her head up at me.

"If you didn't want to bring it to her,you could have said so,Erin.Why did you let go on purpose?"

I had barely opened my mouth when Kyle shoved me aside.

"Why else would she do it?Lillian refused to give her the shares,so she's taking revenge!"

Mr.Walker's expression darkened too.

Lillian spoke through her tears."Don't blame Erin.I was the one who didn't hold on tightly enough."

The more she defended me,the more the three of them fussed over her.

No one noticed the cut on my calf where a shard of glass had struck me.

I watched them crowd around Lillian,said nothing,and left.

There was nothing a good night's sleep couldn't fix.

Besides,the next day was Saturday.I still had to work,but at least I could sleep two hours later than usual.

I slept until nine before going downstairs.

To my surprise,Mr.and Mrs.Walker were still waiting at the breakfast table.

I assumed they wanted to question me about the night before.Instead,Mr.Walker said,"Erin,your mother and I have talked.We've decided to give you shares in the company."

My eyes lit up,but I immediately grew wary."Are you serious?"

Mrs.Walker nodded."You didn't grow up with us.It's understandable that you don't feel secure.We also spoke to a family counselor.Love can't exist only in words.Real security is the clearest way to prove it."

Mr.Walker continued,"Before,we were worried that receiving so many assets at once might cause you to make reckless decisions.Lillian also warned us that people who come into sudden wealth can lose themselves."

I knew it.

Lillian had been the one persuading them not to give me anything.

Still,they had finally come to their senses,so I decided not to hold it against them for the moment.

"How much are you giving me?"

Mr.Walker raised two fingers."Twenty percent.The same as Kyle."

I almost whistled.

Now that was generous.

A phone clattered to the floor behind me.

Lillian stood at the foot of the stairs,her face rigid.Jealousy flashed across her eyes.

Mrs.Walker immediately hurried over to support her."Didn't the doctor tell you to stay off that foot?If you need something,ring for the housekeeper."

Lillian forced a smile."Mom,I thought I heard you say you were giving Erin shares.Is that true?"

Mrs.Walker nodded.

"That's wonderful."Lillian's smile was barely holding together."I'm only worried that the directors might take advantage of her."

Mrs.Walker waved the concern aside."She'll have to face them sooner or later.Once your father and I retire,the company will belong to her and Kyle."

Lillian's face grew even paler.

I was in such a good mood that after breakfast,I returned to my room with renewed energy to finish my design.

Half an hour later—

All right.The energy was gone.

How did the client manage to come up with so many pointless revisions every single time?

I cursed silently and kept working.Two hours later,the message I had been waiting for finally arrived.

[Thanks for your hard work.We still think the first version was best.]

In my head,I called them an idiot.

I replied:[Of course.No problem.]

After staring at the screen for so long,I went downstairs for a glass of water.

When I returned,someone was in my room.

Lillian stood beside my laptop with a malicious smile on her lips.

"What are we going to do,Erin?"

"I think I broke your computer."