Hearing this, Charles gave a slight nod. He closed his eyes, listening intently. Madilyn, however, stood frozen, her eyes wide with disbelief. She thought she must have misheard. She couldn't fathom hearing something so outrageous. When she learned Charles had called an urgent family gathering, her first fear was that he intended to finalize his will. She couldn't let him do anything rash. Yet, the moment she stepped into the room, she heard him planning to give Chloe and Robert his controlling 51% stake in Myers Group. Why? Why would Charles give his shares to Chloe? That 51% stake was the very heart of Myers Group! If he transferred it, Chloe would effectively become the company's owner, reaping all the benefits without lifting a finger. Arthur, by comparison, held only 30% of the shares in his own name. If Charles had transferred his stake to Arthur, then Arthur would have been the undisputed head of the family empire. But giving it to Chloe? It was unthinkable. "Secondly," Kevin continued, reading from the document, "the deed and full ownership of Myers Estate are to be transferred to Chloe Lewis. Its use is to be at her sole discretion, without interference." "Good," Charles responded, a faint smile of satisfaction on his lips. "Thirdly: Your personal real estate portfolio is to be donated in its entirety to—" "Wait just a minute!" Madilyn could no longer contain herself. She strode forward, cutting off Kevin. Charles looked up, his expression turning stern at the sight of her. "You're here. Good. I am finalizing my will and having my assets formally assigned." Madilyn snatched the document from Kevin's hands. She had heard the first clauses; now, seeing the third with her own eyes made her blood run cold. Charles would rather donate his entire real estate holdings to a charitable foundation than leave any of it to them. Even if he hadn't left it to them, leaving it to Arthur would have been understandable. But this? Charles wasn't planning to leave them a single dime. How could he? "You..." Madilyn was on the verge of exploding, but seeing Kevin standing by, she forced her voice lower. "Charles... how can you arrange things this way? This is Myers family property. You can't just hand it out like this!" Charles merely looked at her. "These assets are in my name. Their disposition is my affair." "But... this is excessive. Arthur is your grandson. He has shouldered the responsibility of running the family business. For his name not to be in your will, for everything to go to Chloe and Robert... They aren't even part of this family anymore! Why should they inherit what belongs to the Myers family?" Charles looked up at her, clear annoyance in his gaze. "Do I require your approval on how I manage my estate? Who is the head of this family?" "I..." Madilyn realized she had been too blunt. She modulated her tone quickly. "Charles, that's not what I mean. I only feel it's unjust. Chloe and Robert have left. They are no longer Myers. Even if I were to accept this, the other elders of the family never would." Before Charles could reply, she pressed on, "Charles, have you given any thought to Arthur at all?" "Arthur!" Charles repeated the name with a derisive snort. "If that boy showed an ounce of true capability, the whole of Myers Group would be his already. A pity..." He let his sentence trail off with a sigh. Seeing the clear disdain on Charles' face, Madilyn felt a cold dread settle in her stomach. "Charles..." "I have no interest in debating this with you now. Once all the family elders have assembled and Arthur has returned from Arcania, I will make this will public." Charles turned to Kevin. "Joel Miller is en route. When he arrives, give him the documents for detailed notarization." "Understood," Kevin said with a nod and stepped back, leaving the room. Only Charles and Madilyn remained. Madilyn stood rigid, her face a mask of suppressed fury. Charles glanced at her once more, leaned on his cane to stand, and turned toward the staircase. He walked past her without a second look. Madilyn stood rooted, watching him ascend slowly, his back turned to her and to the family's future he had just so casually decided. As she stared at his retreating figure, the anger in her eyes burned hotter, hardening into a cold, desperate resolve.