Shay's POV
I don't remember how I got home last night or even how I made it into bed. But one thing's for sureâvodka gives a mean hangover. Groaning, I dragged myself out of bed, clutching my throbbing head as I stumbled toward the bathroom. A long, hot shower helped a little, dulling the pounding ache behind my eyes.
After drying off, I slowly got dressed for work. Today's outfit: a blood-red jumpsuit with thin straps, paired with a white blazer. I pulled my hair up into a ponytail, leaving two thick locks to frame my face, then did my makeup. Slipping into white heels, I grabbed my handbag and headed downstairs for breakfast.
To my surprise, Shelby was already at the table, eating alone. Lately, she's been coming home more often, using Shawn's old office as her own. She has her own placeâplus two other condosâbut I remember clearly how she barely visited when Shawn was still alive. The only times she came around were when Dad requested family dinners or when she wanted to see Mom. Now, I suspect she's planning to move back in.
She glanced up as I approached, her expression unreadable. I thanked the housekeeper for my coffee, then offered her a small smile.
"Morning. Where's Shanelle? Is she still here?"
Shelby set her fork down, her gaze sharpening.
"Did you forget we were supposed to hang out last night?"
I sighed. "I forgot to tell youâSylvia and I had already made plans. We went out to celebrate my first day at the company."
She scoffed, eyes narrowing.
"Is hanging out with Sylvia more important than bonding with your sisters?"
I took a slow sip of my coffee, staring off into the distance.
"When did you suddenly care about bonding?" I mused. "You never cared about any of us before."
"I already told youâ"
I cut her off before she could continue.
"I heard you're working with C&E Holdings now."
She went silent, watching me carefully.
"He's a good businessman," she finally said. "And since we're walking on thin ice without Shawn, the company needs a man like him to get back on its feet. Besides, we've put our differences aside to work together."
I smirked, setting my cup down.
"Even if Jason and I were still together, would you have agreed to work with him?"
Shelby's eyes darkened.
"Do you think you're that important? That we'd sign partnership deals just because of you?"
Annoyance flared in my chest. But instead of snapping back, I confronted her about the one thing that's been nagging at me for days.
"Why did you fight with Shawn that day?"
Her expression turned furious.
"Why are you bringing him up?"
I reached into my bag, pulling out a folder and sliding a document across the table toward her.
"This was one of the things Shawn left behind. I was going to ask sooner, but I needed time to process it."
She stared at the paper for a long moment before glancing back at me.
"What the hell is this?"
"The lawsuit I mentioned before. It's over. We won."
She quickly forced a smile. "Of course, because nothing was wrong."
I leaned in slightly.
"Aside from this document, I also have a USB drive. And I keep thinking... this has something to do with your fight with Shawn that day. Maybe even with his death."
Shelby shot up from her chair, eyes blazing.
"You think Shawn and I fought over that stupid USB drive? And that's why he died? Are you accusing me of something?"
I frowned. "That's not what I'm saying."
"Then what are you trying to say?" she snapped. "You keep bringing up a lawsuit that's already over, acting like you have discovered something big. So what's your point? And why do you keep bringing up Shawn's death? What's wrong with you?"
I took a deep breath, steadying myself before standing.
"The trial... we didn't win because we played everything by the book. We won because the other side had no evidence. If they had the USB drive and the original copy of this document, they would have won."
She clenched her jaw, turning away from me.
"If we had handed over the drive, the company would've taken a hit. But Shawn knew what was right. He compensated everything and wanted to open a new prospect for the company."
Shelby scoffed. "A new prospect after the business fails? We gave compensation on an ethical level. Don't act like you've accomplished some great justice. And what do you even knowâ"
"I know everything I need to," I cut in sharply. "I've hit rock bottom before. I know what I'm doing."
She laughedâa cold, bitter sound.
"People gain power from knowing who they are. But you? You hid your identity as a billionaire's daughter and worked in another company instead. So why did you even come back to our company? Just tell Dad you can't do it. You don't even know your place."
Her words stung more than I expected. I knew she was trying to get under my skin, but that didn't make it any less painful. She sat back down, frustration evident in every movement.
"Do I concern you?" I asked quietly.
She glanced up, her cold gaze unwavering.
"I don't have an identity, and it's my first time working at the company. So why are you being so sensitive around me?"
She rolled her eyes. "Do you really think I care about you? I care about Dad. I care about his plans for you."
"Then relax. Because I won't follow Dad's plans."
Her gaze flickeredâjust for a second. She leaned back, arms resting on the chair's armrests, analyzing me.
"Then tell me," she said. "What is your plan?"
"I don't want to tell you that."
"Why? Because you don't have one?"
I met her stare head-on.
"I didn't want to be involved in the company before. But after seeing what it really does... and after everything you've said... I want to do this. And I will succeed."
Shelby smirked.
"Let's see then. But for now, you better get to work or you'll be late. I don't have time to waste on someone who doesn't take promises seriously. And hand over the USB driveâit's useless now."
I slipped the document back into my bag, unfazed.
"I'll decide whether it's useless or not. Shawn left this behind for a reason."
I turned to leave, but her voice stopped me.
"I knew Shawn well. He always did pointless things. He put meaning into everything, but what did that ever change?"
Slowly, I turned back to face her, offering a tight-lipped smile.
"We'll see if it changes anything. I haven't decided what to do with the drive yet."
Shelby leaned forward, her gaze daring.
"Do you really think his death was an accident?"
I stiffened. "What's that supposed to mean?"
She shrugged.
"His mentality was already weak. He was taking depression pills. He only showed his strong side to you. Why would he go on vacation when the company's slush fund was in crisis?"
The breath caught in my throat.
Shawn was depressed? How could I not have known?
"If it wasn't an accident," I whispered, "then what?"
Shelby tilted her head, watching me closely.
"I don't know."
I clenched my fists. "You're lying."
She gave me a knowing smile.
"The stock he left you? It was through a third party. The drive? The will? All planned. Is it so hard to believe that he might have killed himself?"
Anger boiled in my veins. "Cut the crap, Shelby. That's not funny."
She shrugged. "I never said it was."
I clenched my jaw.
"Shawn planned everything because he wanted to protect the company. Not becauseâ"
"Then why did he leave exactly when he did?" she interrupted.
I swallowed hard. "I think... it has something to do with what's inside the drive. What do you think?"
Her smirk faded. She didn't answer.
I sighed. "I'm sorry for missing out last night. I'll make it up next time."
With one last glance, I turned and walked out.