The Law-Prodigy Heiress Returns: Feudal Grandpa Fumes

On the way to my biological parents mansion after theyd found me, my father, Walter, drilled me in the car. Zoe, listen to me. In this house, what your grandfather says, goes. Its the law. Dont you ever talk back to him, or youll regret it.
I raised an eyebrow. The law? Is that codified in the family trust, or is it more of a common-law precedent? Whats the source of its legitimacy and enforceability?
The color drained from my fathers face.
He didnt know that my adoptive parents were both law professors. Our dinner table conversations were less about our day and more like a moot court. Id been trained since childhood to be a ruthlessly logical debater, with a particular talent for picking apart flawed arguments.
So, faced with an unchallengeable authority?
I wasn't scared. I was thrilled.
This was exactly the kind of flimsy power structure I loved to dismantle.

Stepping into the house, I was met with the sight of a patriarch straight out of an old film. My grandfather sat enthroned in a massive mahogany armchair, his hands polishing a silver tea service to a gleaming shine. He didn't even bother to look up, treating me like a ghost.
My father, Walter Grayson, the CEO of a billion-dollar public company, stood before him as deferential as a bellhop.
Dad, this is Zoe. Shes home.
Only then did my grandfather slowly lift his eyelids. His cloudy eyes swept over me, and he let out a short, dismissive grunt. Now that youre back, learn to behave. Dont be like some people who, after a decade, cant even produce a male heir. A complete disgrace to the Grayson name.
The remark was a clear shot at my mother, Helen. Her face went stark white, her hands twisting the hem of her dress.
My uncle, Trevor, lounging on a nearby sofa, immediately chimed in with a malicious grin. Dad, you cant say that. Walter has two daughters now, doesnt he? Even if one of them turned out to be someone elses after eighteen years.
His wife, my aunt Brenda, tittered behind a silk handkerchief. Exactly. What do you call that? All that effort for nothing. And now that the real one is back, who knows how wild she is? If she can even be disciplined.
In the corner, a girl about my age shot to her feet, her face flushed with anger. This was Ava Grayson, the girl who had been switched at birth, the so-called fake heiress.
Uncle Trevor! How can you say that about Mom and Dad?
Trevors eyes narrowed. Hey, does a freeloader like you have any right to speak here? You eat our food, you live in our house. Dont get too big for your britches.
Avas eyes instantly filled with tears. She stood there, trembling, unable to utter a single word in her defense.
My father looked torn, tugging at my sleeve and signaling me to stay quiet.
I brushed his hand away and stepped into the center of the living room.
Hello, everyone. My name is Zoe Miller. Ive just been listening to the opening statements, and Ive identified a few issues regarding factual determination and the application of law that Id like to discuss.
My voice wasnt loud, but it was clear enough to silence the room.
I looked first at my uncle. Firstly, regarding Avas legal status. Having been raised by Mr. Walter Grayson and Mrs. Helen Grayson for eighteen years, a de facto parent-child relationship has been established. Under inheritance law, as an adopted daughter, she enjoys the same succession rights as a biological child. Your use of the term someone elses to describe her could constitute slander.
I then turned to my grandfather. Secondly, on the issue of procreation. Linking the success of a corporate entity to the birth of a male heir is a relic of feudal thinking. Furthermore, under federal anti-discrimination laws, no entity or individual may discriminate against a woman on the basis of marriage or childbirth. Your earlier statement constitutes gender discrimination against Mrs. Helen Grayson.
I paused, my gaze finally landing on Brenda. Lastly, regarding the assertion of all that effort for nothing. The logical premise of this metaphor is that raising a daughter is an investment that requires a financial or dynastic return. This commodifies the emotional value of a family member and is, frankly, unethical.
When I finished, you could have heard a pin drop.
Walter and Helen stared at me, their jaws slack. Ava had forgotten to cry, her mouth hanging open in pure admiration. My uncle and aunts faces cycled through shades of green and white, as if theyd swallowed a fly.
Finally, my grandfather broke the silence. He slammed his teacup down on the table, his cold eyes fixed on my father. Walter. This daughter of yours has quite a mouth on her.
Since shes so clever, I think well just cut your household allowance in half this month. Lets see if that clever mouth of hers can talk food onto the table.
With the patriarchs decree, the atmosphere in the house shifted. The next day, our dinner went from a six-course meal to a meager two dishes with barely any meat. The housekeeper looked at us with pity in her eyes.
Helen was a nervous wreck, secretly trying to slip me a credit card. Zoe, take this. Theres some money on it. Go buy yourself something nice to eat.
I pushed the card back. Mom, the problem isnt money. Its that the power structure in this family is illegal.
That evening, I found Walter sighing in his study. Dad, can I ask about the companys shareholding structure?
He looked at me, then gave a bitter smile. Why are you asking about that? I built the company from the ground up. I own sixty-five percent of the shares, your uncle has ten, and the rest is held by a few long-serving executives.
If youre the majority shareholder, why does Grandfather control the distribution of profits?
Walter sighed, his voice heavy with exhaustion. Your grandfather is the Chairman. He has control over the corporate accounts, the checkbooks, everything. He says its a Grayson family enterprise, not just mine. All profits are to be managed centrally, and then he gives us a monthly allowance.
I frowned. Thats a violation of corporate law. The company is a separate legal entity. Its assets are distinct from the personal assets of its shareholders. This is a classic case of commingling funds. It could even be considered embezzlement.
I know all that, Walter said, rubbing his temples. But hes my father. These have always been the house rules. I cant just sue him over money, can I? Imagine the scandal.
I finally understood. My father was trapped in the emotional shackles of filial duty.
The next day, Trevor and Brenda returned from a shopping spree, making a grand show of their haul. Brenda carried several designer bags, while Trevor sported a flashy new watch, waving it in front of my father.
Walter, what do you think of my new timepiece? Dad approved it himself. A little reward for closing a small deal for the company.
Brenda tossed a handbag onto the sofa. Its so nice to have a father who appreciates you. Unlike some people, who work their fingers to the bone all year only to have their allowance cut.
Walters face was a mask of grim fury, his fists clenched at his sides.
Ava couldnt stand it. She ran to her room and returned with a stack of ledgers. Zoe, look! This is the household account book. Ive been keeping a secret copy. Uncle Trevors family spends five times more than we do every month! Its all paid from the central family account!
I opened the ledger. The entries were shocking. Trevors dog had a monthly grooming bill of over two thousand dollars. Brendas afternoon tea parties started at five thousand. Their sons tuition and living expenses abroad were a bottomless pit.
And the vast majority of that money was profit generated by my fathers company.
I closed the book, a plan forming in my mind.
Just then, Trevor came bounding down the stairs, beaming. Dad! Walter! Helen! The most wonderful news! Our Kevin got his acceptance letter from Oxford!
My grandfather emerged from his room, his face glowing. Excellent! Excellent! A true grandson of the Grayson family! Dont worry about the tuition. Ill transfer five hundred thousand from the company accounts immediately!
He shot a triumphant, provocative glance in my direction. You see that? This is how a true heir to the Grayson fortune is treated. He then looked at my father, his tone leaving no room for argument. Walter, well deduct this amount from your dividends for the year.
The decision was like a bucket of ice water, extinguishing the last bit of color from Walter and Helens faces. Five hundred thousand dollars was almost all of their nominal annual dividend. It meant that not only would they continue to live on a shoestring budget, but they would also be saddled with the massive expense of sponsoring their nephew.
Helens eyes filled with tears, but she didnt dare make a sound, biting her lip so hard it turned white. Walters head drooped, his shoulders slumping like a bull that had finally been broken.
The whole family was going to the citys most exclusive restaurant to celebrate. Before we left, Brenda made a point of coming over to us, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
Oh, Walter, Helen, youll have to eat your fill tonight. Youre only here thanks to our Kevins success. After this, you might not even get a taste of the soup.
Trevor clapped my father on the shoulder with false sincerity. Dont worry, big brother. We wont forget your sacrifice when Kevin comes back from Oxford to take over.
Ava was trembling with rage, gripping my hand. Zoe, lets not go! Why should we celebrate with them using our money?
I patted her hand soothingly. Were going. Why wouldnt we? This is a historic moment. We have to be there to witness it.
The restaurants private dining room was opulent. My grandfather sat at the head of the table, beaming as relatives fawned over him. Our family of four was seated at the farthest corner, as if we were crashing the party.
After a few rounds of drinks, Trevor stood up, raising his glass. Tonight, I first want to thank my father, the great helmsman of the Grayson family! And secondly, I want to give a special thanks to my big brother, Walter! Without his hard work, Kevins bright future would not be possible! Come, lets all raise a glass to my brother!
All eyes turned to our table. My fathers face was beet red, the wine glass shaking in his hand.
I stood up. I walked slowly to the projection screen at the front of the room, took out my tablet, and connected it.
Before the celebration continues, I believe that as key stakeholders in Grayson Enterprises, you all have the right to be informed of some recent corporate developments.
The screen lit up, displaying the public information page from the Secretary of States office. According to corporate law, ownership of a limited liability company is determined by shareholding. Currently, the structure of Grayson Enterprises is as follows: Mr. Walter Grayson, holding sixty-five percent, is the absolute majority shareholder.
My tone shifted, becoming sharp and cool. Using corporate funds for the personal educational expenses of a shareholders relative, without a resolution passed by the board of directors, is legally defined as misappropriation of funds or embezzlement. For amounts of this magnitude, the maximum penalty is a significant prison sentence.
My grandfathers face darkened. He slammed his hand on the table. Insolence! I am the Chairman of the board! I can do whatever I want with the companys money!
My uncle started shouting. What does a little girl like you know? Get the hell out of here!
I smiled faintly and clicked to the next slide. Regarding the position of Chairman, I also have a recent document to share.
Projected on the screen was an official notice of corporate amendment, stamped with a bright red digital seal. An interesting assertion, Mr. Chairman. However, according to a change in registration that became effective three days ago, the legal representative, executive director, and Chairman of Grayson Enterprises is no longer you.
I picked up a freshly printed document from the table and waved it gently. The line for Legal Representative clearly displayed my name: Zoe Miller.
I am.
The room was plunged into a dead silence.

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