Side Chick Era Over (Sharon and Carter) novel Chapter 455

Chapter 455

“In the end, we decided to meet halfway. Victoria will apply to a music conservatory. And as compensation, I’ll grant her fifteen percent of the family’s shares,” Richard said.

To Sharon, his words felt like a cruel joke.

Victoria was a science prodigy, yet she hadn’t wanted to pursue a STEM degree. She had insisted on attending a business school. What did business school have to do with her so-called strengths in the sciences?

Did they think she was too ignorant to know better, simply because she hadn’t gone to university?

Rick, standing beside their father, chimed in. “Jenna, under normal circumstances, Victoria should receive ten percent of the family shares, just like Silas and Scott.

“But now that you’ve returned, there will inevitably be speculation and gossip. Some people might even dig up the past. This could damage Victoria’s reputation. So Dad and I agreed to give her an additional five percent to offset the potential fallout.”

Damage to Victoria’s reputation?

So her return was now the cause of harm to Victoria? Did that mean she should never have come back?

Seeing Sharon’s silence, Richard added, “Jenna, I’ve always treated you all the same. You can rest assured, you will have a part of the Kalen family shares as well. Three years from now, once you’ve fully adapted to life in this family, I’ll grant you ten percent, just like Silas and Scott.”

Both Silas and Scott held ten percent each.

Rick had fifteen percent. As the eldest son and future heir of the Kalen Group, it made sense for him to carry a heavier burden and enjoy a greater share. No one questioned that decision.

And now, Victoria would receive fifteen percent too, just like Rick.

In that moment, Sharon finally understood why her three older brothers had never fully welcomed her back. Her return would mean less for them.

Victoria might also be taking a slice of the pie, but at least she’d grown up with them. She was family in a way that Sharon, the long-lost sister who had appeared out of nowhere, was not.

None of this, Sharon knew, had much to do with her. Richard could divide the shares however he liked it didn’t concern her.

And clearly, this wasn’t a discussion. Richard and Rick hadn’t asked for her opinion. They were merely informing her of a decision already made.

As for that ten percent promised three years down the line? That was a matter for the future.

Sharon harbored no illusions, no misplaced hope from Richard’s empty promise. After all, things that truly belong to you are never handed over by someone else.

Once she agreed, the family held a meeting the very next day to formally announce the arrangement.

Silas and Scott were visibly pleased with Sharon’s cooperation. Even Scott, who had always treated her coldly, showed rare friendliness-he actually greeted her on his own initiative.

But the longer Sharon stayed in the Kalen household, the clearer things became.

Richard held Victoria to incredibly high standards. He often reviewed her coursework himself, and if anything was subpar, he would immediately hire the best tutors to coach her.

With Sharon, his expectations were far more relaxed.

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+15 BONUS

The question of which university Victoria should attend had nearly torn the family apart.

But Sharon? She was free to choose any university she pleased, as long as it made her happy.

How open-minded, how indulgent-the picture of a father who doted on his daughter.

Once, Sharon had believed that too.

But she had overlooked one thing.

A daughter who’d just returned home could never be treated the same as one who’d been raised there for twenty years.