Elise let out a soft sigh, her voice laced with resignation. "Well, it seems there's truly nothing I can do to stand against you..."

Margaret's heart swelled with triumph. She was certain Elise was already surrendering.

Youth might have its advantages, but experience always prevailed! Elise never stood a chance against her cunning!

"Since we're family, we shouldn't let grievances fester between us," Margaret said cheerfully, her tone dripping with false warmth. "In that case, you should go to the police station and withdraw your charges-"

"I want fifteen percent of Scott Enterprises' shares." Elise's sharp interruption sliced through Margaret's words.

Benjamin and Victoria's faces immediately darkened. "Don't be so greedy, Elise!" Victoria exclaimed, her voice trembling with agitation. "You're demanding a kingdom when we're offering you a village!"

"An outsider like you has no say in Scott Enterprises' matters!" Elise snapped, her icy gaze freezing Victoria in place. "Who do you think you are, daring to criticize me?!"

Victoria flushed crimson, rendered speechless by Elise's sharp retort.

That was when Benjamin spoke, his voice cold and final. "No. Absolutely not."

His refusal was short, blunt, and left no room for negotiation.

"Then we'll meet in court," Elise replied with nonchalant indifference.

"Elise Scott!" Benjamin roared, his temper exploding as he launched into insults. "You should know your place! Do you really think I'd hand over fifteen percent of my company's shares?! What right do you have to take what's mine?! Keep dreaming!"

While Margaret naturally disagreed with Elise's demand, her son's rigid stance secretly upset her.

The contemptuous look in Elise's eyes only fueled her fury further!

"Those shares are my rightful inheritance," Elise stated coldly.

"Your rightful inheritance?!" Benjamin bellowed, his face turning purple with rage. "What gives you the right-"

"My mother held thirty percent of Scott Enterprises' shares while she was alive," Elise cut him off, enunciating each word with precision. "Her will clearly stated that Stellar Group belongs to me, but mentioned nothing else. However, I've consulted multiple lawyers, and the law dictates that any inheritance must be divided equally between the deceased's spouse and their children. Legally, I'm entitled to fifteen percent of Scott Enterprises' shares."

As she spoke, she swiftly produced a copy of the share certificate proving her mother once possessed thirty percent of Scott Enterprises' shares.

She had prepared this document in advance, anticipating Benjamin would bring Margaret here.

Benjamin snatched the paper from her hands, his expression growing darker with each word he read.

"If you refuse to transfer those shares, we can settle this in court as well," Elise continued neutrally. "I don't mind handling two lawsuits simultaneously. After all, I already have no reputation left in Crestwood. At worst, our entire family will become the city's favorite laughingstock."

"Enough!" Benjamin thundered, his face dark as storm clouds while his body shook with rage.

He never should have sent her abroad–he should have eliminated her on the operating table all those years ago!

"Well, take your time to consider your options," Elise replied, completely unfazed by Benjamin's threatening demeanor. "You have exactly twenty-four hours. Tomorrow morning, I'll be assembling my legal team to discuss both lawsuits-"

"You'll get your shares!" Benjamin agreed through gritted teeth, the words tasting like poison.

"You can't, Benjamin!" Victoria cried out immediately. "You only control half the company's shares! Giving away fifteen percent is-"

She absolutely couldn't accept this–she could sacrifice anything else, but all Scott family assets rightfully belonged to her son!

No one else deserved even a single penny!

"Shut your mouth!" Benjamin barked at her. "Are you going to stand by and watch my mother go to prison?!"

"But that's nearly a third of your controlling interest-"

Smack!

Margaret suddenly slapped Victoria across the face, leaving her daughter-in-law stunned while she shrieked in fury, "You ungrateful wretch! After everything I've done for you–you don't even care what happens to me!"