The Billionaire CEO Betrays his Wife: He wants her back-Chapter 67: The Black Sheep-Two

Mara remained silent, her jaw clenched. She could feel the weight of the room’s attention on her, Steve and Stefan standing next to her, their expressions wary; Stanford and Stanley, who had always been closer to Philip, and their grandfather, his sharp eyes narrowing as he watched the exchange.

"Uncle Philly!" Stanford and Stanley broke the tension, stepping forward to hug him tightly. Philip chuckled, patting their backs with a familiarity that made Mara’s skin crawl. He had always been the fun uncle, the one who bailed them out of trouble, who let them get away with things their parents never would. But now Mara doesn’t trust him. There was something about him, something off.

Steve and Stefan, on the other hand, kept their distance. Steve’s arms were crossed, his jaw tight, while Stefan’s expression was unreadable, though his eyes flicked to Mara, silently checking on her. They had never been close to Philip, and the way he was speaking to Mara now only deepened their unease.

Philip stepped further into the room, his presence commanding. He was the family’s black sheep, the one who had always resented his older brother’s success, who had always felt he deserved more. And now, with Mara’s return and the resurgence of the past, it was clear he had his agenda.

"It’s good to have you back, Stefania," Philip said again, his voice smooth but laced with something Mara couldn’t quite place. "We’ll make sure you’re taken care of. After all, you’re family."

Mara forced a small, tight smile, her voice steady despite the storm raging inside her. "Thank you, Uncle Philly."

Philip’s smile widened, but his eyes remained cold. "Of course, princess. Anything for family."

"What are you doing here, Philip?" Mr. Shepherd Sr. asked, his voice cold, unreadable.

Philip smirked, stepping further into the room. "To see my niece, our little Stefania. What else, Dad? Am I not welcome here?" His tone dripped with sarcasm.

Mr. Shepherd Sr. chose to ignore him, though his jaw tightened. He had a plan to introduce Mara to the family and the world. But Philip’s arrival shifted everything.

"Of course you’re welcome, Uncle," Stanley said, flashing a practiced smile.

Philip chuckled, clapping him on the back. "That’s my boy."

The moment stretched, heavy with unspoken words, until Mr. Shepherd Sr. finally spoke. "Now that you’re here, listen carefully. Stefania will be taking over the foundation—just like her mother before her."

The air grew thick. Philip’s smirk vanished, his expression darkening into something far more dangerous. Ten years. Ten years of clawing his way to the top, of making the foundation his. And now his father wanted to rip it away.

Mara stiffened. She caught the flicker of rage in Philip’s eyes, the raw resentment coiling beneath his composed exterior. A realization settled over her like a shadow—her parents’ deaths were tied to the foundation. And the pendant... that damned pendant. She had searched it for years, found nothing remarkable about it.

But now, she was certain. It held a secret. A secret worth killing for.

"Dad, I’m doing fine with the foundation. Let’s not burden baby Stefania with such a huge responsibility. Leave it to me," Philip said, his voice controlled, but his frustration evident. He hated this—his father’s constant doubt. First, it was his brother. Now, his own nephews and niece were being considered over him. His own father didn’t trust him.

If only he had a son. But fate had been cruel—his wife had died with their unborn child, leaving him without the chance to be a father.

"Grandpa, I think Uncle is right," Stanley spoke up, his voice steady. "Stef can handle any of our divisions, something less demanding."

Philip allowed himself a small smile.

"Yes, Grandpa, the foundation is too much work for Stef," Stanford added.

Steve and Stefan remained silent, observing the conversation unfold. Meanwhile, Mara knew she had to take control of the foundation. It was her only way to uncover her uncle’s secrets—the truth about her parents’ deaths and the person responsible. But for now, she remained calm. She needed to understand who her uncle truly was before making her move.

"The foundation has always been passed down to the daughters of our family," Grandpa said at last, his voice firm. "Just like your mother. She was a kind and selfless soul, which is exactly why it must be Stef."

He didn’t reveal the full truth—what the foundation truly did or why it required someone untainted by greed. That knowledge was his burden to carry.

"Dad, why—"

Philip started to protest, his voice laced with frustration, but Mr. Shepherd Sr. raised a hand, cutting him off.

"In the next few days, when Stef is strong enough, we will throw a party and introduce her to the world. And you," his father’s gaze hardened, "will hand over the management of the foundation to her."

His tone carried finality, an unshakable decision set in stone. Without waiting for another word, Mr. Shepherd turned and walked away, leaving Philip standing there, fists clenched, seething.

Philip had expected Mara to object. To speak up, to refuse. But instead, she merely leaned back, tilting her head to the side, as if lost in thought.

She said nothing.

That silence stung more than any rejection.

With a sharp breath, Philip turned and stormed off, his anger trailing behind him like a shadow.

Now, the four Shepherd brothers stood beside their sister, each with a mind of his own.

"Stef—" Stanley was the first to speak, his voice calm yet firm. "This is too much work. You don’t have to do this."

Stanford nodded, sharing the same concern. Taking over the foundation wasn’t just a responsibility—it was a burden.

Steve, the eldest, remained silent, but his sharp eyes betrayed his thoughts. He could sense the danger ahead, the hidden storm brewing beneath this so-called inheritance. He didn’t want Stef anywhere near it.

Stefan, the youngest, had an uneasy feeling about it all. Something was off, but before he could voice his concerns, Mara spoke.

Her words caught them all off guard.

"I want to see Ethan."

Silence.

The room, which had been filled with whispers of concern, grew still. The brothers exchanged glances, their confusion evident.

Why would she want to see her husband? The same man who had betrayed her? And at a time like this?

"Stef, no way." Steve was the first to object, his voice strong, unyielding. He knew what Ethan had done. Knew how close Mara had come to losing everything—her life, her reputation. And now she wanted to go back? What was she thinking?

"I just want to get some things from the mansion," Mara said, her tone even.

Steve exhaled sharply. "I’ll go pick them up for you."

"No," she refused. "I also need to talk to Ethan."

Stanley stepped in. "Then I’ll go with you."

She shook her head. "I want to go alone."

The brothers stood there, stunned. Their instincts screamed at them—this was a terrible idea. But Mara was stubborn.

"We won’t let you go alone," Stanford finally said. Mara sighed, rubbing her temples. "I’m tired. I just want to sleep."

It was a dismissal.

For now, they let it go, but as they watched her slip into bed, one thought lingered between them.

How were they going to stop her? Steve was still working on their divorce, Ethan was making it difficult with his refusal to give his consent. Mara was still his wife and legally he had more right over her than they do. If only he could speed up the divorce process, maybe Mara could put that Chapter behind her entirely, Steve thought.