The Reluctant Heiress
Autor
Sara Orwig
Leituras
18,6K
CapĂtulos
13
The illegitimate daughter of a late Texas billionaire, Sophia Rivers stands to inherit a fortune. But the stubborn woman doesn't want a penny of it. As financial advisor to the wealthy Delaney family, Garrett Cantrell has to convince Sophia to accept her inheritance. If she doesn't, her half brothers will lose their billions. So he introduces himself as a local businessman and starts softening her up, talking to her about family, loyalty and love. But the proud beauty has no idea who he really is. And the truth may cost him his heart.
Chapter 1
âI donât have a clue why Iâm here,â Garrett Cantrell, company CFO, said at the family gathering in the Dallas office of Delaney Enterprises.
âBecause Sophia Rivers is our fatherâs child. Sheâs as stubborn as Dad ever was,â Will Delaney stated, combing his fingers through his black hair.
âWe wonât give up. Thereâs too much at stake,â Ryan Delaney added, resting one booted foot on his knee. âWe can be as stubborn as she is. There has to be a way to reach her.â
âWe need to outsmart her instead of the other way around,â Zach Delaney grumbled.
âRight,â said Will. âThatâs why I asked Garrett to join us.â
âIâm sure finding out you have a half sister at the reading of your dadâs will was a shock,â Garrett said, âbut you should face the fact that she doesnât want to meet any of you. Iâd say give it up.â
âIf we donât get her on the board of the Delaney Foundation, we can kiss our inheritances goodbye,â Zach snapped. âAlso, sheâs family. We have a sisterâall these years.â
âI agree,â Will added. âSheâs part of our family and weâd all like to know her.â
âEven if she doesnât want to know you?â Garrett asked.
âI think thatâs because of Dad and not anything weâve done. We just want to unite this family and we donât stand a chance if she wonât speak to us,â Will said. âEach of us has tried and failed to make contact with her. I think the next thing is to send someone neutral.â
Garrett straightened in his chair, his good humor vanishing. âGo through your dadâs lawyer. She communicates with Grady.â
âHer attorney communicates with Grady,â Will replied drily. âGrady has never met the lady.â
âThe bottom line is, we want our inheritances,â Ryan stated. âSheâs costing each of us four billion dollars. Too much to blow off.â
As Garrett looked at the Delaneys, he reflected on how his life had been tied to theirs from the day he was born. His fatherâs life had been closely linked with the family patriarch, Argus Delaney. Besides ties of work and family, Will Delaney, the Delaney CEO, was Garrettâs best friend. Garrett had been raised to feel indebted to the Delaneys, just as his dad had felt obligated. As he thought about what they were about to ask of him, his dread grew exponentially. âI suggest the three of you try again to meet her,â Garrett said.
âCâmon, Garrett. You can contact her because your name isnât Delaney. Spend time with her, get to know her, find out why sheâs resisting, and weâll take it from there,â Will said. âJust open the door for us. Go to Houston. You have a family business and a house there. Itâs a perfect plan.â
âI own the property management business in HoustonâI donât work there. Give it up, guys. Donât ask me to do what you canât do.â
âWe think you can do this,â Will argued. âYouâve been our spokesperson many times. Weâll make it worthwhile for you. Help us get her on the board and itâs another five hundred million for you.â
Garrett was already wealthyâ He didnât care about the money. But he couldnât turn down the brothers because his obligation to the Delaneys ran deep. He sighed as Will handed him a manila folder.
Garrett looked at a picture of a raven-haired, brown-eyed beauty. Maybe their request isnât so bad after all, he thought.
âIf she cooperates, she will inherit three billion dollars. Itâs not like youâre trying to cause her trouble,â Ryan pointed out.
âHow can she turn down that kind of money?â Zach asked, shaking his head.
âShe must be angry as hell,â Garrett remarked. âThat kind of anger isnât going to change easily.â
âWe have to try,â Will stated. âWill you do it?â
Garrett glanced at the picture again. He had just inherited three billion from their father. Will was his closest friend. How could he refuse to help them now?
âGarrett, weâre desperate. And we have a time limit,â Ryan said.
âAll right,â Garrett replied reluctantly. âI canât say no to any of you.â
There were thanks from all and a high five from Will, who grinned. âEverythingâs going for you. Youâre not a Delaney.â
âI might as well be one,â Garrett grumbled. âI donât think your half sister will be one degree happier with me than she was with any of you.â Garrett shook his head. âMeeting Sophia Rivers is doomed from the start.â
