Chapter 237: This Is A Conspiracy
The air in the boardroom crackled with tension, the silence punctuated only by the rhythmic ticking of a grandfather clock in the corner. Ophelia’s demand hung heavy in the air, a gauntlet thrown down, a challenge to Brooke and Lottie’s carefully constructed narrative.
"A DNA test?" Lottie exclaimed, her voice laced with incredulity. "Are you serious? We already brought tests from a reputable testing center."
Brooke’s face flushed crimson, her eyes flashing with anger. "This is outrageous!" she spat, her voice trembling with indignation. "This is a conspiracy! You are trying to strip me of my rightful inheritance!"
Ophelia remained impassive, her expression a mask of cool indifference. She leaned back in her chair, her gaze unwavering, her posture radiating an air of calm authority.
"It is a simple request," she said, her voice smooth and measured. "A standard procedure in cases of contested inheritance. We simply want to ensure that all parties are satisfied with the outcome."
"Satisfied?" Lottie scoffed, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "We are not here to be satisfied! We are here to claim what’s rightfully Brooke’s!"
"And we are here to ensure that the inheritance goes to the rightful heir," Ophelia countered, her voice firm. "A DNA test, conducted under strict supervision from both parties, is the most efficient way to achieve that."
Brooke’s anger reached its peak. She stood up, her chair scraping against the polished floor, her eyes blazing with fury. "This is an insult!" she screamed, her voice echoing through the boardroom. "I won’t tolerate this! I won’t be treated like some... some criminal!"
"Brooke, darling, calm down," Lottie said, her voice laced with a hint of panic. She reached out and placed a hand on Brooke’s arm, trying to soothe her.