"Maureen, I'm giving you two choices. Either hand your shares directly to Valerie and get on your knees to apologize—and I might forgive you for old times' sake, even acknowledge you as my honorary sister."
"Or I call the police and press charges for leaking company secrets. You can rot in prison."
I smiled faintly. "I choose neither."
Elwin froze, clearly not expecting me to be so uncooperative.
Five years together. I was ruthless in business, but with him? Always soft. Always accommodating.
Rage overtook him. He stormed toward me and kicked the back of my knee.
"Maureen! You forced my hand!"
"You will kneel and apologize to your future sister-in-law! And you'll learn the Gilbert family rules while you're at it!"
"Otherwise, if you ever set foot in the Gilbert household acting like this, don't expect my parents to accept you as their goddaughter!"
My knee buckled. I collapsed to the floor in front of Valerie, unable to stop myself.
Arnold tried to pull me up, but Elwin's employees swarmed him instantly.
Within two seconds, he was on his knees beside me, forced down by the crowd.
"You really thought our Mr. Gilbert wouldn't bite back? That he's some harmless kitten?"