Chapter 58: Walter Carlisle's Voice Thundered Through the Room

“Any person who dares speak of the diamond mine will forfeit their family shares!” Walter Carlisle’s voice thundered through the room.

Vanessa Bennett’s nails dug deep into her palms. An entire diamond mine, handed over to Sienna Bennett? Just for her? How utterly absurd! The old man had clearly lost his mind. Of course, Vanessa swallowed those words. She forced a calm expression while fury boiled beneath her skin. Then Walter added, “Sienna, now that you’re back, sign these documents. I’m transferring the fifteen percent family shares that were always meant to be yours.” Reginald Thornton stepped forward, holding out the prepared paperwork.

Sienna hadn’t expected this. Not after being granted the diamond mine. A rare warmth flickered in her usually icy gaze. Before she could pick up the pen, her adoptive father Philip Bennett protested loudly. “Father, have you gone mad? She already has a diamond mine worth billions! Why give her more? She doesn’t need it!” Vanessa quickly chimed in. “He’s right. Sienna is already overwhelmed. Managing Gray Diamond Empire, her modeling career… Adding family business responsibilities would be too much.”

Currently, Walter held thirty percent. Helena and Philip each had twenty. Penelope and Gregory held ten. Caleb had five. Sophia had five. Vanessa possessed fifteen. That left fifteen percent unclaimed. Since Caleb had willingly given his five percent to Vanessa, she now held twenty. She had been coveting the remaining fifteen. With it, she would control thirty-five percent—more than Walter himself. She would become the majority shareholder and chair of the board. She couldn’t let Sienna take it.

But Walter was firm. “Sienna has always been a Bennett. She deserves these shares. As for the mine—she earned it with her own blood. If any of you are willing to risk your lives for one, you may keep yours too.” He turned to Sienna. “Sign it. Ignore them.” Sienna nodded. She took the pen and signed her name. If she refused, these shares would end up with Vanessa. She would never allow that. The room burned with hostile stares. Especially Vanessa’s. She looked ready to explode.

She had waited five years for those shares. And now Sienna stole them. The woman already owned a diamond mine! Why did she need more?

“Everyone out,” Walter commanded. “I wish to speak with Sienna alone.”

They left, seething with resentment. Once they were gone, Walter gestured for Sienna to approach. “Come. Sit with me.” She moved closer and sat beside him. “Grandfather, regarding the mine…” Even if he asked, she would never hand it over to the Bennett family. Walter patted her hand gently. “You did the right thing. You were never truly one of them. I can protect you now, but when I’m gone, they will turn on you.”

“You must safeguard your own fortune. You have no real family. Wealth is your only true ally.”

Sienna felt a pang of emotion. But confusion remained. “Why are you so kind to me?” she asked. Everyone else despised her. Only Walter treated her like his own granddaughter. It made no sense. A shadow crossed Walter’s eyes, there and gone in a flash. “You will understand in time.” He squeezed her hand. “For now, do not ask. It is not yet the moment.” This only deepened Sienna’s bewilderment. What was he hiding? Why would he show such devotion to an adopted child? What secret lay behind his kindness?