Shock rippled through the room.
No one had anticipated that Donna would leave behind such a decisive counterstrike.
Even Edwin was struck dumb. It had never crossed his mind that Donna had preserved the prenuptial agreement he had once signed as proof of loyalty when he married her.
Kathryn applauded slowly, each clap deliberate. Her gaze pinned Edwin's bloodless face as she asked lightly, "So? Didn't see that coming, did you?"
"Y-you…" Edwin's voice quavered, words failing him.
"Dad, this can't be real, can it?" Hannah hurried to steady Edwin, terror flooding her at the thought of the fortune slipping through their fingers.
Edwin calculated desperately—the years gone by, the lack of witnesses. He opened his mouth to deny it all, but Kathryn seized his collar and yanked him up, flinging him aside like refuse.
A dull cry rang out as Edwin hit the floor, curses spilling from his lips. "You bastard—"
"Edwin Lambert, have you forgotten how much it hurts to be hit?" Kathryn lazily flexed her knuckles, as if inviting him to keep talking so she could strike again.
Edwin recoiled, taking a step back in panic. He babbled, "This… this document is forged. Don't listen to her!"
"Authenticity isn't yours to judge. Experts will confirm the handwriting soon enough." Kathryn shot him a look dripping with disdain and commanded, "Clear out everyone who has no right to be here."
Cillian had already stationed security at the entrance. They rushed in, gripping Edwin by both arms and hauling him upright. Their attention then shifted to Hannah.
"Ms. Lambert, you're merely an employee. This meeting is none of your concern."
Hannah shot Kathryn a venomous glare, refusing to go quietly. "Kathryn, you're just your mother's illegitimate child. Aren't you afraid of what people will say?"
In the end, security forcibly removed both Edwin and Hannah from the room.
Kathryn reclaimed the head seat with composed authority and spoke evenly. "I am not Edwin Lambert's biological child. When he married my mother, she was already carrying me. This prenuptial agreement proves Edwin willingly relinquished all claims to my mother's estate—his way of proving he wasn't after her wealth. I will see to it that Edwin is permanently expelled from the Pearson family. From this moment on, the Galaxy Hotel is under my control."
Her declaration settled over the room, heavy and final. Several shareholders bristled but remained silent.
One still voiced resistance. "Ms. Pearson, you've lived abroad most of your life. You have no experience running a hotel. How do you plan to manage the hotel? You may take over if you insist, but you'll bear the consequences of the falling stock. After all, this mess was caused by you and your mother."
Profit-driven as ever, the shareholders turned a blind eye to the facts.
Kathryn brought her palm down on the table with a sharp crack, silencing them all. She said coolly, "Spare me the worry. I'll handle it. This meeting is over."
Seasoned shareholders watched as Kathryn exited with her back straight and steps unhurried, confidence written into every movement. Displeasure lingered on many faces.
"Such arrogance at her age."
"Enough—Edwin brought this on himself."
…
Cillian followed closely at Kathryn's side, admiration undisguised as they returned to the executive office.
Kathryn said, "Release the statement immediately—make my mother and Edwin's divorce public."
"Understood."
That night, the Galaxy Hotel blazed with light. Employees worked nonstop, preparing for the press briefing the next morning.
Kathryn never went home. She stayed at the hotel.
Public opinion churned violently. Accusations stacked one after another, all aimed at Kathryn.
Before the outrage could cool, the Galaxy Hotel dropped a shocking announcement.
The news "Edwin Lambert and Donna Pearson Long Divorced" detonated online, fueling even greater fury. The backlash shifted sharply toward Kathryn.
"Edwin may not be Kathryn's real father, but he raised her. How could she throw him out for money? Shameless."
"Just like her mother. Donna had him sign away everything the moment they married."
"Twenty years fooled and left with nothing—rich families really play dirty."
Kathryn was midway through a press conference when Edwin arrived, flanked by police.
"Ms. Pearson, Edwin Lambert and a reporter named Kelsey Hudson have accused you of aggravated assault. You'll need to come with us for questioning." One of the officers spoke, his voice firm as he stepped forward.
Kathryn inclined her head calmly. "That's fine. In that case, I'll also be filing charges against Edwin and Kelsey for malicious slander against my mother and me."
She offered no resistance as she entered the patrol car.
Outside, reporters snapped relentlessly, capturing every second.
Within minutes, news of Kathryn's arrest had spread everywhere.