The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella and Romeo) novel Chapter 1357

“Eunice, you're a sharp cookie, and I’m not one for beating around the bush. We're all family here, and you don't want to see our clan fall apart, do you? Darren's sick as a dog, and he just can't handle any more bad news."

"So, what's your big plan, Arlen?" Eunice asked coolly.

"Like I said, you're smart. You know what I'm getting at, and what I want you to do. You know me, Eunice, I've got no beef with you."

Arlen was probably scared to death Eunice was recording the call, because he didn't say anything too incriminating.

Eunice chuckled, "Are you asking me to keep mum? But you know I never enter a losing deal."

The moment Arlen heard that, he sensed there was room to negotiate and quickly said, "Name your price, anything within my power, I'll give it to you."

"Anything you can offer, Dad and Bard can give me too. Your usual trinkets hold no allure for me."

Arlen's face soured, "Then what do you want?"

"There is one thing Dad and Bard can't give me." Eunice's smile grew even brighter, "It's about time for Calvin to hang up his boots, so let's cut to the chase. I want all of your shares, and Calvin, Bess, and Teresa’s shares, and I want you all to announce your retirement from the company. From here on out, you won't get a single cent of the dividends."

Arlen was flabbergasted at her audacity to make such demands!

"Think it over with them, Arlen. Don't say I didn’t give you a fair chance. You've got one hour." With that, Eunice hung up the phone.

"Hello? Hello?" Arlen couldn't believe what he had just heard. It took him a second to snap back to reality, shaking with rage. That cunning fox was totally exploiting the situation!