Taming the Bitch (COMPLETED)

Chapter LVI - MRS WALTON

"Gabrielle..." The lawyer appeared before her in the living room, much to her surprise.

He greeted her with a warm smile before placing the attaché case down on the table and reaching out his hand. His frown deepened as he noticed the tears streaking her cheeks. He looked past her, his mouth falling open in surprise at what he saw in the pool area. The very reason he had come today was right there before him: Vincent Walton.

"I see that Mr Walton came to you first..." Gabrielle glanced behind her, where Vincent was playing with her daughter by the pool. What did the lawyer mean by that?

"What do you mean?" she asked, frowning. The lawyer merely nodded and opened the attaché case.

"I'm afraid you need to return to England, Gabrielle. The company needs you."

She sniffed, swallowing hard. The company had never truly needed her in the past years; just as her father had willed, it had been managed by Vincent, who had become the sole heir after their divorce.

"I don't... understand. I have no say in the company anymore. It's Vincent's now...?" she whispered to herself. To the lawyer, who had been her father's right-hand man, the company was still hers. Technically, when he discovered she was pregnant with Nic, the inheritance would eventually pass to her daughter—but only if she accepted it. Not that she wouldn't, but not now. Returning to England to take over the company on behalf of Veronica, the sole heiress, was the last thing she wanted. Yes, technically, Veronica would be the heiress, as she was still legally Vincent's daughter.

"And I've already mentioned it before," the lawyer said, "but I would remind you that there is no way on Earth I would let Vincent take over what is supposed to be Gabriel's inheritance on behalf of your daughter. She's not even two years old yet; I wouldn't risk it."

"Gabrielle... you need to return. The company is in turmoil—not because Vincent is doing badly, but because the stockholders are scheming. You must take over. They simply could not allow your husband to inherit what is Davis'."

"He is not... my husband!" she snapped, veins palpitating in her head.

The lawyer sighed, finally handing her a contract from the attaché case—a recently printed record of her marital status with Vincent.

"W-what is this...?"

"I know you will hate me for this, Gabrielle," he said softly, "but I could not allow Vincent to assume the presidency of what should belong to your daughter. This was the only way I could protect both you and Veronica."

Gabrielle's hands trembled as she read the papers. She flung them onto the table, hyperventilating. Fanning herself with her hands, she paced in front of the lawyer.

"Why... how could you...?"

"He never signed the papers. He has been acting as President, yes, but everything is still yours, Gabrielle—not yet Veronica's."

"Why?! You had one job!" she screamed. Her voice trembled with the fear of losing her daughter. If Vincent chose, he could contest custody.

"My job," the lawyer said softly, "was to keep you and Veronica safe, Gabrielle..."

"Safe from what?! You exposed us to the very person I am protecting my daughter from! I even wondered how on earth he found us here!"

"You have to protect Veronica, not from your husband, Gabrielle. He did not sign the divorce papers because he did not wish to take what was not his and to avoid risking the company. Should one of the snakes inside decide to act... your daughter would be in danger. I supported his decision when I discovered you were pregnant for the very same reasons."