The Ruthless CEO's Revenge Wife
Chapter 127: Queen Kingsley

Chapter 127: Queen Kingsley

Martha didn’t like Logan’s tone, as if he was suspecting something but found nothing. "What do you mean, ’oh’?"

He rubbed his jaw. "It means Jean might’ve been right to call this an invasion. But maybe not the spy kind."

"She did this on her own, Logan. Stop thinking I have a hand at this."

Logan nodded to himself. "Looks like it. And she picked Jean. Voluntarily."

"Well, that’s... new."

"Yeah. That’s terrifying."

His mother chuckled, unfazed. "Maybe your sister finally found her ambition. I’d say it’s a good sign."

"Sure. If she doesn’t drive Jean insane before the end of the week."

"Tell Jean to hang in there. And Logan?"

"Yeah?"

"Be proud of your sister. She might just surprise you."

He ended the call and leaned back in his chair, staring up at the ceiling.

"She already did."

______________________________

Jean leaned back in her chair, arms crossed, eyes narrowing at the glass door of her office.

She could still hear the faint chatter and laughter outside... Hannah Kingsley, in her office, sipping an iced latte like she belonged.

Her glare shifted to her desk, her nails tapping a steady rhythm.

Five minutes later, Logan called back.

"She didn’t know either," he said. "Mom sounded just as surprised as you."

Jean blinked. "Wait, so Hannah just... came here herself?"

"Apparently, yes. On her own. No bribes, no schemes. Just Hannah, suddenly motivated."

Jean stared at her own reflection in the window, expression unreadable.

"I don’t believe it," she muttered. "Why me?"

Logan chuckled softly. "Maybe she thinks you’re the best. She’s not wrong though, is she?"

Jean scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Don’t flirt with me while I’m in distress."

"Can’t help it," he said with a grin in his voice. "But seriously, I think she genuinely wants to learn. And she chose you. You should feel honored."

Jean exhaled sharply. "I feel ambushed, Logan."

"Well," he said, the amusement in his voice evident now, "the mighty Jean Adams just got herself an intern. Good luck."

______________________________

Jean slammed her phone down with a sigh and massaged her temple.

"Emma," she said, pressing the intercom button. "My office. Now."

Outside the glass door, Emma glanced up from her desk with a lifted brow. "Yes, Your Highness," she muttered under her breath, rising to her feet.

Hannah perked up too, standing with a hopeful smile. "Should I come too? Maybe you’ll assign me a task?"

Jean didn’t even look at her. "Sit."

The command was short, clipped, and cold. Hannah blinked in surprise but obeyed, her eyes round and uncertain, her hands clutching the edges of the chair.

Jean groaned internally. Those stupid puppy eyes... Don’t fall for it, Jean. Be strong.

Emma stepped into the office moments later, shutting the door behind her. She only had to take one look at Jean’s face to burst out laughing.

"Oh my God," Emma said, grinning. "Are you... soft on her?"

Jean shot her a look that could freeze boiling water. "Stop talking."

Emma smirked, but obediently sat down on the couch. Jean folded her arms and leaned against her desk.

"Why did you recruit Hannah?"

Emma let out a long sigh like she had been expecting this. "Okay... Look. She came here herself. Applied properly. Gave her interview like any other candidate. HR called me in shock saying, ’A Kingsley is here?’ I couldn’t believe it either."

Jean narrowed her eyes. "And you didn’t think to tell me? Or I don’t know... politely tell her that there’s no vacancy currently?"

Emma shrugged helplessly. "Jean... you were dealing with a lot. Every time I called, you barely answered or said you weren’t ready to come back. I’ve been running this place like a headless chicken. When she showed up, I took it as fate throwing me a bone."

Jean groaned and slumped into her chair. "I should’ve come back sooner. I dumped everything on you... and now, I’ve got Logan’s sister as an intern. Could my life get more tangled?"

Emma tilted her head, eyes softening. "She’s not that bad. Actually, she’s been learning fast. She asks questions. She genuinely likes working with you... I think she genuinely likes you."

Jean let out a dry laugh, rubbing her face. "The more I try to keep Logan’s family at arm’s length, the more they circle around me like moths to a flame."

Emma got up and walked over, wrapping her arms tightly around Jean from behind. "That’s what families do, Jean. Whether they’re by blood or by choice. They fight, they annoy you, they sneak into your job, but they also learn from you. They have your back. They care."

Jean didn’t respond immediately, her fingers brushing over Emma’s arm.

Then came the quiet mumble. "Logan’s father is transferring thirty percent of Kingsley Corporation shares to me."

Emma froze... she pulled away and stared at Jean like she had grown horns.

"WHAT. THE. HECK?!"

Jean just nodded, deadpan. "Yeah. That was my breakfast conversation today."

Emma sat down like her knees gave out. "Okay... we need stronger coffee. And probably a therapist."

Jean gave a tired chuckle. "Preferably both."

Emma was still staring at Jean as if she’d just declared herself heir to a foreign throne.

"Thirty. Percent. Of. Kingsley," she said slowly, blinking. "Jean, that’s not a gift. That’s a coronation."

Jean rolled her eyes and crossed her arms, sinking deeper into her chair. "Don’t start, Emma."

Emma grinned wickedly. "Oh, I’ve already started. You’re practically royalty now. Shall I start calling you Her Highness Jean Kingsley? Or would Your Corporate Majesty do?"

"Emma."

"No, no, wait." She stood dramatically and gave a mock bow. "All hail Queen Jean of Kingsley... ruler of boardrooms, crusher of egos, slayer of contracts, and reluctant wife of Prince Broody himself."

Jean picked up a file and lightly tossed it at her. "You’re ridiculous."

Emma ducked and laughed. "Seriously though, Jean. Do you realize what that means? Thirty percent isn’t just a gesture. It’s power. Influence. That’s a legacy stake. It’s practically saying, ’You’re one of us.’"

Jean leaned forward, her expression tight. "That’s what worries me."

Emma’s grin faded a little. "Because it feels too permanent?"

Not just permanent... It’s starting to feel real.