Chapter 13 Sign Here? Hell No!

I stared at the circle of tactical shields surrounding us, wondering if my family had finally lost their collective minds.

"What the hell is this?" I demanded again, crossing my arms and glaring at my grandfather. "Are we being kidnapped in our own home now?"

Grandpa Richard ignored my sarcasm, gesturing to the legal department head. "Put the contracts on the table."

Several thick document folders landed on the mahogany coffee table with an ominous thud. I peered at the top one, flipping it open to scan the first page. The words "TRANSFER OF SHAREHOLDING RIGHTS" jumped out in bold letters.

"I'm not signing this," I said instantly, snapping the folder shut.

Dad's face darkened. "Emma, don't be difficult. Nobody's leaving this room until you sign."

I leaned back into the sofa cushions, kicking my feet up onto the expensive table. "Then I hope you've got comfortable chairs, because we're going to be here a while. Let's see who can outlast who."

Mom stepped forward, her voice gentle but with that underlying steel I'd inherited. "Emma, darling, you're married now. You need more assets to build your new family. Having more shares is a good thing! Many people would kill for this opportunity."

I snorted. "Sure, Mom. Then why aren't you offering this 'amazing opportunity' to Michael instead of me?"

"Where is my brother anyway?" I called out, looking around the room. "MICHAEL! Get your ass down here!"

A minute later, my older brother appeared, looking rumpled in his lab coat, dark circles under his eyes suggesting he'd been up all night with his research again.

"What's happening?" he asked, blinking at the security team with their shields.

I grabbed his arm, pulling him down beside me on the sofa. "Mom says having more company shares is an amazing opportunity that many people would kill for. So good news! They want to give them to you."

"What? No!" Michael protested immediately, eyes wide with alarm. "I'm completing my post-doctoral research. I'm going to be a scientist, dedicated to advancing human knowledge!"

"Then convert the company into a tech research firm," I suggested sweetly.

Michael shook his head frantically. "It's not the same thing at all, Emma."

I turned back to my family, gesturing dramatically. "Why me? I'm the youngest. Why dump this responsibility on me when I'm still so young? I have so many things I haven't done yet!"

"Like what exactly?" Dad asked skeptically, eyebrows raised. "What pressing matters occupy your time?"

I straightened up, ready with my perfect excuse. "Alexander and I haven't even had our honeymoon yet!"

"That's right," Alexander agreed smoothly beside me.

Grandpa Richard's shrewd gaze shifted to my husband, sizing him up with new interest.

"Then perhaps," Dad suggested, turning to Alexander, "you should take over the shares. You already run Sterling Group successfully. North Enterprises would benefit from your expertise."

Alexander's response was immediate and firm. "I also decline. Sterling Group is more than enough for our lifetimes."

I jumped in, backing him up. "My current shares already guarantee I'll never go hungry. Grandpa, Grandma, you're both still strong and healthy. Mom and Dad are in their prime. Why are you so eager to dump everything on the younger generation? It sets a terrible precedent for our family values. Don't blame me for not accepting."

Dad's face flushed with anger. "Watch how you speak to us! Life is short—we should enjoy it while we can. You two should hurry up and have a couple of kids so they can take over when they grow up, and you can retire early too!"

Mom smacked the back of his head. "You make it sound so easy! Why don't you go have more children then?"

Dad rubbed his head, muttering, "Science doesn't allow that..."

"Michael," I called cheerfully to my brother, "keep up the good scientific work!"

The tense standoff was interrupted by the doorbell. Moments later, Uncle Victor, Aunt Olivia, and my cousin Brandon entered the living room, freezing mid-step when they saw the scene before them.

"What's happening?" Uncle Victor asked warily. "What did Emma do now?"

Grandpa Richard huffed. "Emma got married, and we thought since she has a family now, she should be more responsible and consider making money. We wanted to transfer our shares to her, but she refused. Says we're just trying to escape our responsibilities."

The look of panic that crossed all three of their faces was priceless.

"Oh my! My passport!" Aunt Olivia suddenly exclaimed, patting her pockets frantically. "I think I left it on the plane! Or maybe I dropped it somewhere... I need to go find it right away!"

"I'll help you look, dear," Uncle Victor said quickly, already turning toward the door.

Brandon nodded enthusiastically. "Mom, it might have fallen out when you got bumped in Milan!"

"That could be it!" Aunt Olivia gasped.

"We should fly to Milan to look!" Uncle Victor suggested, already edging toward the exit.

I sprang into action, dashing past the security guards who awkwardly tried to avoid blocking me while still maintaining their protective formation. I grabbed Brandon by the collar before he could escape.

"Gotcha!" I announced triumphantly. "Grandpa, I found you another heir!"

Brandon struggled in my grip. "Emma, let me go! Mom, Dad, help! Who'll carry your bags and make your travel itineraries without me?"

Grandpa Richard's patience was clearly wearing thin. "What is wrong with this family? Why are you all acting like North Enterprise shares are some kind of curse? Everyone's running away like they've seen the devil!"

Uncle Victor shuffled his feet nervously. "It's just... North Enterprises is such a massive corporation. If we take over and mess things up, everything would be ruined. Better give it to someone more capable."

Aunt Olivia nodded vigorously. "Alexander would be perfect! He's part of the North family now as Emma's husband."

"Exactly!" Uncle Victor agreed eagerly. "Alexander has that iron fist in the business world. Everyone in New York respects his abilities!"

"He already has Sterling Group to run," I countered. "He can't manage North Enterprises too."

"Then your parents should take over," Aunt Olivia insisted. "Warren is the oldest child. He should be the head of the family business."

The room fell silent as everyone looked at each other, the stalemate obvious. Finally, Alexander stood up, commanding attention without effort.

"I have a suggestion," he said calmly. "Warren and Victor, you both take over management together."

All eyes turned to him as he continued, "For three years, you'll compete. Whoever generates less profit for North Enterprises at the end of that period takes complete control afterward."

Dad and Uncle Victor exchanged dismayed glances, both looking at Alexander with matching expressions of betrayal.

Grandpa Richard slowly nodded. "Fair and impartial. That's our solution."

And just like that, the great North family shares showdown ended with Alexander's proposal.