Chapter 34 Picking You Up
"How were the exams?â Yale asked.Sophie raised her eyebrow. Does he really care about my
grades?âDon't you know I don't like studying? Are you asking me that question to make me feel
awful?â She had no intention of showing him a good attitude.âNo matter what happens, I'm still
your father, Sophie. You look ill-mannered like this.â Yale frowned. âStop spending your time
hanging outside of the school. You should follow your sister's example by learning how she studies
and interacts with the world.âHe couldn't understand why there was such a big difference between
his two daughters.âLearn from her? Is she even good enough for me to do that?â Sophie
sneered.Her sneer would make people uncomfortable and terrified.âLet's cut to the chase. You aren't
allowed to take the twenty percent shares your grandfather is giving you.â That was the main reason
Yale was there."Since Grandpa is giving it to me, I will take it.â Sophie was giddy when she saw her
father's pissed-off expression.âSophie.â His voice began to sound like he was warning her. âI'm
telling you not to take the shares. If you refuse to listen, don't blame me for what I'll do.âIt didn't
matter who he was dealing with. As long as that person was a threat to him, he would show no
mercy.The only person he loved the most in the world was himself.Sophie pushed the door open
and exited the vehicle. âI'm sorry, but the shares aren't the only thing I want. I want the whole
company.âThe more desperately her family wanted to keep something to themselves, the more she
wanted to take it away from them, even if she couldn't care less about having it."You talk big for an
incompetent girl.â Yale didn't want to argue with her any further. After all, in his eyes, she was just a
senior student without any notable skills or academic achievement. He didn't believe she would
cause much trouble for him.When Sophie arrived back at the Tanner residence, everyone except for
Caleb was already there.When Yale and Charmaine saw Sophie, their expressions darkened. They
could scarcely believe she had the guts to take the shares that Josiah had the nerve to hand
out."Come and talk with me, Sophie. The lawyer hasn't arrived yet,â Josiah said."Dad, this twenty
percent is far too important to Tanner Group. Are you really going to give it to her that easily?â Yale
refused to give up.Josiah ignored his son because he had the right to decide to who he wanted to
give his assets.âDad, Soph is still young. If you give her such an incredibly valuable thing, you may
end up hurting her instead of protecting her.â"Why would I be hurting her? You know, it breaks my
heart to see neither of you cares for her.ââTanner Group doesn't only just belong to our family now,
Dad. There are other shareholders paying attention to what you're doing! If you give those shares to
a girl like her, we won't be able to protect her if the other shareholders come after her!â Yale knew
the struggle for power had always been like that.Josiah remained silent. Obviously, he knew about
that as well after spending many years in the business world.âSoph is your daughter. If you two dare
to touch her, I won't let any of you get away with it.â He knew he didn't have long to live. Soph will
only have herself to depend on once I pass. She has to get stronger."Are you scared, Soph?â he
asked.Sophie held her grandfather's hand. âI've never been afraid, Grandpa.âIf they were talking
about facing the struggles of growing up, then she really was unafraid of facing them.Josiah was
glad. I can see my younger self in her."Think about it carefully, Sophie.â The look in Yale's eyes
turned cold.It was then the lawyer arrived.âAre you sure about this, Old Mr. Tanner?â Terrence
Baldwin, the lawyer, was also worried about whether Sophie could keep the shares Josiah was giving
her.âNo need to be afraid, Soph. Even if, in the end, you throw away the shares I give you, I still
won't regret my decision. Consider it as me giving you your tuition fees.""Please put your signature
here, Old Mr. Tanner.â Terrence didn't say anything else because he knew Josiah wouldn't change his
mind.Please sign here, Ms. Tanner.â He pointed at a spot on the paper.Once Josiah and Sophie put
their signatures down, the lawyer declared, âOkay. The shares now belong to Ms. Tanner.âJosiah
then sent Terrence out.âNow that Sophie has inherited my shares, she's considered one of Tanner
Group's shareholders. Don't disappoint me, Sophie,â Josiah uttered before heading upstairs.He was
getting old, which was why he left, as he didn't want to witness such a sullen atmosphere in his
home.Sophie was about to leave after obtaining the shares.âYou're still young, Soph. We're just
thinking about your well-being. Let your dad keep hold of your shares first. You're our daughter, so
we won't hurt you,â Charmaine coaxed."Yeah! I'll help you manage your shares first. Once you get
married, I'll return the shares to you untouched,â Yale added.Sophie couldn't help but chuckle. The
world has always been like this. Peopleâs loyalties are where their interests lie. It's so sad to see my
parents put up an act like this in order to obtain my power and fortune.âWhat are you laughing at?
Am I not looking after your best interest? Do you know how to take care of a company?â Yale's
smile faded as he questioned like a commanding father.âDoes it matter if I don't? I just need to take
the dividends, isn't it?â Sophie retorted.âYouâ" Yale was so angry that he couldn't speak
further.âThink about it carefully, Soph. The other shareholders in Tanner Group are all vicious
schemers. A girl like you isn't their opponent.â Charmaine acted as though she was a kind
mother.âI'd rather die in their hands than in you twoâs!""You...â Charmaine was pissed off as
well.âFine. Now that you're all grown up, I cant control you anymore. You better protect your shares
well and don't let them slip out of your hands. Donât come and beg us for help when you have
nothing left."âEven if I have nothing left, I won't come and find you both.â Sophie grabbed the
document, turned, and left."How did I give birth to a piece of trash daughter like her?â Charmaine
was so angry that she smashed the cup on the table.Willow had been staying silent at the side. It
was then that she spoke politely. âShe won't be able to gloat for long, Mom." That's right. She won't
be. That twenty percent share is nothing when you marry into the Laird family. When that time
comes, you can get whatever you want,â Charmaine assured. After all, Mrs. Laird likes Willow and
has been nurturing her as a daughter-in-law.âYeah.â When Willow thought about Mason, she felt a
little giddy. So what if Sophie likes Mason? In the end, I'm the one who's going to marry into the
Laird family.Sophie grinned as she stared at the document in her hand outside of the Tanner
residence. So this is all they have been pining for, eh?Instead of calling for a taxi, she wanted to go
on a stroll. Every time she found herself in the Tanner residence, her worldview was shattered.âDo
you want me to stop, Mr. Tristan?â the driver asked. Isn't Mr. Tristan here to meet Ms. Tanner?âNo
need. Just follow behind her slowly."The driver silently drove the car slowly. He would occasionally
stop for a few seconds before proceeding just to keep the car a safe distance from Sophie. He
wondered what she was thinking that prevented her from noticing the car had been following her
for a long time.lt wasn't until it started raining that Sophie stopped.âStop the car.â Tristan stepped
out of the vehicle, strolled toward Sophie, and swept her into his arms.When she raised her head,
she saw his handsome face.âWhy are you here?â she asked."To pick you up.âBy the time Tristan
carried her into the car, they were already soaked from the heavy rain.âHead to Wisteria
Apartments,â he ordered.
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