Reclaimed By My Ex-husband
Chapter 22: A heated argument

Chapter 22: A heated argument

As Zara stepped in, Lina approached her, smiling and using sweet tones.

"Zara, dear, come in. I made dinner just for you," she cooed, reaching out to take her hand.

The warmth felt fake, almost suffocating.

Zara let herself be led into the dining area.

At the time, Lina noticed the limp. Her smile wavered. "What happened to your leg?"

Isaac’s gaze followed, locking onto the bandage wrapped around Zara’s ankle. "How did you get hurt?" he asked with feigned concern.

Zara dismissed it with a wave of her hand. "Just a sprain. Nothing major." She pulled her hand free from Lina’s and sank into the nearest chair. "I’m not here to enjoy your food or pretend we are some happy family. So let’s skip the drama and get to the point."

The forced cheer in the room vanished like mist. Lina and Isaac exchanged a brief, knowing look. Their masks dropped, revealing the agenda beneath.

Isaac’s lips pressed into a firm line as he sat opposite her. "Alright then. I’ll be direct. I want your share of the company."

Zara’s spine went rigid, and a stunned expression swept across her face. It took her a moment to process what she had just heard.

"What?" she finally breathed out. "Why do you need my share? And what makes you think I’ll hand it over?"

Her hands slammed onto the table with a loud thud. She leaned in, fire blazing in her eyes. "You already took Nora’s share. And don’t forget—two years ago, I gave you five percent of my own to help when the company was in trouble. Now you are coming after the last ten percent? Are you out of your mind?"

Hearing her tone, Isaac was frustrated. But he didn’t back down. "Because if you don’t, the company will collapse. Nathaniel has given me one week. He wants fifty percent of Moore Enterprises in exchange for his investment. Without that, we are finished."

Zara reeled, blinking rapidly as the words sank in. "Nathaniel... what?" she asked, her voice cracking under the weight of disbelief. "He asked for fifty percent?"

Isaac sneered inwardly. That was exactly the response he had expected. "Yes," he said with a defeated sigh. "He told me he won’t offer help again for nothing. This time, he wants real power."

Zara stared at him, her heart pounding in her chest. Her thoughts spiraled.

Her lips pressed into a hard line, her fists trembling from the fury rising in her chest.

Nathaniel knew how much this company meant to her—how deeply it was tied to her mother’s dreams, her sister’s hard work. It wasn’t just a business; it was a legacy. Her mother had built it from the ground up. Nora had once led it to its peak. And now, it was all teetering on the edge, and Nathaniel wanted to take it for himself.

Her heart throbbed painfully in her chest. She couldn’t let him have it.

"I wouldn’t have come to you if my shares were enough," Isaac said with practiced sorrow. "Lina and Jaxon have already agreed to give up theirs."

"Yes," Lina added with a placid smile. "I’ve surrendered all of my shares. Jaxon too. But even with his fifteen percent and my ten, it’s still not enough. Your father can’t give up all his shares. Or else, he will lose the chairman’s position. We need your ten percent to reach the deal. The rest Isaac will handle."

Zara’s cold gaze swept over the two of them, reading every false note in their faces. Every word tasted like manipulation.

"Don’t worry," Isaac offered with a thin smile, "once the company stabilizes, I’ll return your shares. You have my word."

Zara pushed her chair back with a harsh scrape. Planting one hand on the table for balance, she straightened and stared Isaac down.

"I’m not giving you anything. Do what you want. If it means losing the chairman’s position, so be it."

With that, she turned and limped toward the door.

"Wait right there."

Isaac’s voice cut through the air like a whip. The mask of fatherly concern fell away completely. His tone, once soft and coaxing, was now sharp with rage and authority. "You are not walking out until you hand over those shares."

Zara turned slowly. Her posture was proud, chin lifted. "And who is going to stop me?" she challenged.

Isaac’s face twisted in anger. "You ungrateful brat. This is your family’s legacy. What’s so wrong with helping us? Or have you forgotten everything your father has done for this company?"

Lina jumped in, "Zara, be reasonable. This company is his life’s work. If he loses it, what will he have left?"

Zara scoffed. "Why should I even care? You have never lifted a finger for me. When I asked for your support to pursue my dream, to start my own business, you shut the door in my face. You didn’t give me a single penny. But now, when you are drowning, I’m suddenly the answer to everything? Why should I help you now?"

She drew herself up with resolve. "My mother left me those shares. They aren’t just pieces of paper to me. They are her legacy. They are a piece of her. And I won’t hand them over to anyone, no matter what."

She turned to leave.

In a flash, Isaac reached for her arm and yanked her back roughly. Zara stumbled, the sudden pull sending a shock of pain through her injured leg. She gasped, nearly falling.

"Let her go."

Jasper appeared like a storm. He reached them in seconds, shoving Isaac back. He immediately wrapped an arm protectively around Zara’s trembling frame, steadying her. He scanned her face.

"Are you alright?"

Zara gave a small nod, biting down on her wince. "Take me out of here," she whispered.

"Of course," Jasper said, tightening his grip around her shoulders, already turning toward the door.

But Isaac wasn’t finished. He stormed in front of them, blocking their path. "Where the hell do you think you are taking her?" he bellowed. His eyes darted to Jasper with suspicion and fury. "And who the hell are you? Why are you here at this hour? Are you the reason she is acting like this?"

Zara clutched her stomach, a sharp jolt of pain making her stagger. Fear gripped her. Was something wrong with the baby?

She grabbed Jasper’s hand desperately. "Jasper... please... it hurts."

"I’m taking you out of here."

Isaac stepped in front of them, arms outstretched to block the way. "You are not going anywhere with her," he warned coldly.

"Move," Jasper snapped, and with one firm shove, pushed Isaac aside and guided Zara toward the door.