Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring
Billionaire Shadow 31

Chapter 31

Marina blinked, confusion overtaking her fury. "What are you trying to say? Get to the point, Derek

He took a deep breath, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully "I'm saying maybe there's more to this story than we realized, Maybe your aunt wasn't just playing favorites. Maybe there's something we missed."

Marina took a step back, her thoughts spiraling. She wanted to deny it

She wanted to reject the ridiculous notion Derek was hinting at, but something stopped her. She stared at him, dread creeping over her face as the words sank in. "Are you saying..?" Her voice trailed off as she shook her head, biting down on her finger as doubt clouded her mind. "No, that's impossible. I would have known. Someone would have told me... right?"

But her voice was unsteady, filled with a fear she couldn't shake. Her hands trembled as she fumbled for her phone. She dialed a number, her mind racing with questions and a terror that clawed at her insides. She couldn't let this go, not without knowing every last detail "Get me everything you can find about Emma Black she ordered, her voice steel. "I want every piece of information there is. Now!

Marina watched from across the street, her gaze filled with a hatred that simmered and burned as she observed Emma gently helping her two young children into their car seats. They had just come out of the preschool and Emma's face glowed with a warmth that made Marina's stomach turn. The file in her hand felt heavy, her fingers clenching it so tightly that the edges dug painfully into her palm. Last night she had finally received the information she had been waiting for, along with the results of the DNA test she had conducted illegally. The report was irrefutable, Emma was, in fact, Mrs. Walker's daughter.

Marina's fingers tightened around the file, her teeth gritting in defiance. None of it mattered. To her, Emma would always be an outsider... a usurper who had come to steal what was rightfully hers. She was a thief, a blight on Marina's carefully constructed future and there was only one way to fix things

The same way

she had dealt with Diana

Emma and her children had to disappear. Permanently. It was the only way Marina could claim her place as Mrs. Walker's sole heir, the only way she could keep the fortune and power she had spent her life fighting for.

Derek sighed. He was sitting next to her and his mood wasn't any better. He wanted the power and money and the only way he could get his hands on it is through the fool seated next to him. He has never loved Marina but was with her for her money and the power she could hand over to him. He planned to take her out of the game once he's gotten in hands on what he needed. He was done being the small fries, he craves power too.

AMA

Over the weeks, Emma and Mrs. Walker grew inseparable, their bond deepening as if they were making up for all the lost years in the brief moments they had now, Mrs. Walker doted on Emma's children showering them with affection and gifts, and they adored her in return, reveling in the warmth of a grandmother's love they'd never known before. Emma's heart swelled each time she saw them together a piece of her finally feeling whole. Her 28th birthday was coming up soon, but she hadn't given it a second thought, discovering her true heritage and having a family was the greatest gift she could ask for.

But not everything was bright. Mrs. Walker's heart condition had worsened over recent months, the attacks coming more frequently and striking without warning. Emma had lost track of the number of times she'd rushed her to the hospital, her hands shaking as she watched the doctors fight to stabilize her mother. Each episode filled her with a dread she could hardly bear, a fear that her newfound happiness might be ripped away just as quickly as it had come. The thought of losing her mother again, especially after they had finally found each other, haunted her every day

Last night had been particularly rough, Mrs. Walker had another heart attack that left her weak and struggling for breath, her hand gripping Emma's as if afraid to let go. They'd stayed at the hospital overnight, Emina never leaving her side, her children curled up asleep on the hospital couch. When the doctor came to check on Mrs. Walker in the morning, his face was grim, He warned Emma that her mother's health was rapid declining, and though they were doing all they could, It Chapter 31

was

is only a matter of time.

Emma's chest tightened as the doctor spoke, her vision blurring with tears she tried to hold back. She clutched Mrs. Walker's hand tighter silently promising to make the most of whatever time they had left. The pain in her mother's eyes was unbearable, but there was also love, a deep warmth that reminded Emma of how precious every second was

The next morning despite Emma's protests Mrs Walker was determined to go to the company. "There are things that must be done," she insisted, her voice gentle but resolute. Emma reluctantly agreed, keeping a close eye on her mother as they made their way into the office,

That afternoon Mrs. Walker summoned an emergency shareholders' meeting. Emma helped her mother to the boardroom, intending to step back as usual, but Mrs. Walker caught her wrist I want you here with me today. Take a seat." Her tone left no room for argument so Emma hesitantly sat down beside her, confusion evident in her eyes. She had never been involved in company affairs... finding her birth mother had been more than enough.

A wave of whispers swept through the room as the shareholders exchanged curious glances, but silence fell when Mrs. Walker slowly rose to her feet, clearing her throat. Thank you all for gathering here on such short notice, she began, her voice steady "Today, I have called this meeting to discuss the future of W2 Holdings"

The shareholders leaned forward in their seats a mix of curiosity and tension filling the room. Mrs. Walker paused, looking around letting the weight of her words sink in "Effective today, will be stepping down as CEO of W2 Holdings" A wave of murmurs erupted around the table, faces growing tense with speculation. "And by the authority vested in me I will be appointing my successor"

Maring sitting at the far end of the table, inhaled sharply, barely holding back the tears pricking at her eyes. She had been confident of her claim to the company but now, in a single unexpected moment her dreams were slipping away before she even had a chance to grasp them