The military god strikes back!

Severing ties

The grand hall of the Stone family estate was cloaked in tension as Julia stood before her grandmother, Margaret Stone, a formidable figure perched on the red master’s chair. Margaret’s eyes were cold, sharp, taking in every nuance of Julia’s defiant posture with a calculating gaze.

Margaret leaned forward, her voice sharp as a blade. “Do you even understand what you’re doing, Julia? The audacity to question my decision—who do you think you are?”

Julia felt her chest tighten, but she met her grandmother’s gaze without flinching. “I’m your granddaughter,” she replied softly, her voice laced with a mixture of sorrow and defiance. “I’ve poured my heart and soul into this company, built it from the ground up, sacrificed everything. And yet, as a woman, I’m expected to hand it over. To be pushed aside as if all of it means nothing.”

Her voice trembled as she continued, her gaze flickering with hurt. “You’re a woman, too, Grandmother. You built this empire with your own hands. Why… why would you make things so difficult for me?”

Margaret’s face hardened, her jaw setting as she watched Julia with an expression of cold indifference. “You think I’ve been harsh on you? That I should, what, pity you? Spare you because we share the same gender?” She shook her head, her voice dismissive. “I built this family’s legacy by upholding the name, by making sacrifices you can’t imagine. I did it by making difficult choices, choices that required strength, not sentiment.”

Julia’s heart twisted at her grandmother’s words, but Margaret continued, her voice growing colder. “If you truly cared for this family’s name, you would understand that your role is to support it—not to lead it. A woman at the helm of the Stone family’s empire would only erode our standing. You can join the family group and assist Henry, your brother. Or…” she paused, her gaze hardening, “you can sever ties with this family altogether.”

The silence that followed felt suffocating. Julia clenched her fists, forcing herself to stand tall despite the ache in her chest. She could feel Henry’s gaze on her, cold and calculating. He stepped forward, his tone smooth, almost persuasive as he addressed her.

“Julia,” Henry said, his voice low and laced with an air of reason. “Grandmother’s right. The family business needs to be led by someone who can maintain its legacy, not change it.” He offered her a practiced smile, his eyes devoid of warmth. “You’ve worked hard, yes. But that was only to help us, to secure the company for the family. This isn’t personal. It’s what’s best for all of us.”

Margaret’s cold gaze settled on Julia, her voice steely. “Seriously, Julia, what audacity you have to question this decision,” she said, each word sharp and final. “Do you truly believe you are entitled to run the family business? That a woman can uphold this family’s legacy alone?”

Julia clenched her hands tightly, though she met her grandmother’s stare without flinching. Her eyes were filled with sorrow and hurt, but her voice remained steady. “Grandmother, I’ve devoted years of my life to building that company. Yet now, simply because I’m a woman, I’m being forced to give it up. I don’t understand…” Her voice faltered slightly, though she pressed on. “Why are you, of all people—another woman—making this so difficult for me?”

Margaret’s expression hardened, her cold eyes unyielding. “Because I know better than you the reality of power, Julia. Allowing you to take charge of the family business would lead to our name’s ruin.” Her tone was sharp, unwavering. “If you care about this family, then you’ll join the family group to support your brother. Otherwise, I repeat, you will sever all ties with us.”

Julia’s heart sank at the ultimatum, but she forced herself to stand tall. From the corner of her eye, she saw Henry shift, his lips curving into a faint, mocking smile. He took a step forward, his voice smooth and taunting.

“Julia, this isn’t about your talents,” Henry said, his voice soft but dripping with contempt. “The family name is worth more than a single company. You belong here, with the family group, under our guidance. This idea of yours, of leading… it’s reckless. You need to step back, let me handle things as they should be handled.”

Julia felt her heart racing. She wanted to stand her ground. The hold on tight to what she had built with her hands but now she was feeling the pressure weighing on her, she was feeling surrounded by predators with no way to defend herself or retaliate.

Julia turned to face him, and his mask of persuasion slipped just enough for her to see the real intent lurking beneath his words. He didn’t want her in the family business, didn’t want her anywhere close to what he saw as his rightful inheritance. He wanted her gone.

A calm determination filled Julia’s heart as she faced her brother and her grandmother, a faint smile curving her lips as she prepared to refuse. They might force her out, might make every effort to erase her from the family legacy, but she would leave on her own terms. She took a deep breath, preparing to speak.

But before she could say a word, a firm voice echoed through the hall.

“Julia will not give up control of her company.”

The words were spoken with quiet, steady authority. Julia looked up, her surprise unmistakable as Samuel entered the hall, his posture strong, his face resolute. He met Margaret’s steely gaze head-on, then turned his attention to Henry, his expression unyielding.

Julia’s eyes widened. What was he doing? This was the worst thing that could happen. She did not want her husba— Samuel of all people speaking in her defense. It would only make things worse. He would only be embarrassing himself and then her.

Julia swallowed feeling like she didn’t want to watch the upcoming scene.

“Julia built that company with her own hands,” Samuel said, his voice ringing through the hall. “She has the right to keep what’s hers, and no one—not you, Henry, or anyone else—has the right to take it from her.”