This useless man had that kind of money?
Hildegarde refused to believe it. She pulled out her phone and called her secretary, demanding verification.
The answer came back.
That fifteen percent was registered under Wilfred Dickerson's name.
"You... you..."
For once, Hildegarde Pruitt had absolutely nothing to say.
Hildegarde couldn't understand it. How could a man who spent his days puttering around the kitchen, hovering over his daughter, and orbiting her life possibly have such keen financial instincts?
How had he quietly become the Pruitt Group's second-largest shareholder, right after her, without anyone noticing?
She had forgotten that before their marriage, the man standing before her had been hailed by countless people as a prodigy—someone who could "perceive the seed before it sprouted and see the future before it arrived."
"Daddy's bullying Mommy! Daddy's a bad guy!"
Hilary came running in like a gust of wind, bracing herself with her small hands as she charged forward.
She rammed her head hard against Wilfred's thigh.
Her little cheeks puffed out like a balloon.
"Daddy, can't you be more considerate? Mommy works so hard, and you don't do anything at all. Now you want to take Mommy's money? That's wrong!"
"Daddy is a bad guy. I don't want you as my daddy anymore!"
"Get out of my house!"
His eldest daughter's childish voice struck Wilfred like a hammer blow to the chest.
Every breath burned.
But he said nothing. He gently moved Hilary aside and reached out to touch the head of this daughter he had once adored beyond measure.
"Daddy isn't bullying Mommy. Daddy just wants to take what belongs to him."
"Wilfred, sure, you own fifteen percent of Pruitt Group shares. But investing behind Hildegarde's back? As spouses, hiding personal assets—that's on you!"
Patrick stepped up behind Hildegarde, one arm wrapping brazenly around her waist.
Hildegarde's brows drew together slightly, but she didn't push him away.
"Besides, even if those shares are in your name, you bought them after the wedding. That makes them marital property. You can't just walk off with them. Right, Hildegarde?"
Hildegarde remained silent, but her raised chin and arched eyebrows made it clear she agreed.
"Wilfred, with that many shares, that much money—do you really think you can handle it?"
Wilfred's gaze swept across the three people before him.