Chapter 3

Julian held up the flashcards and read them to me over and over.

Instead, I looked at him without emotion.

In the end, he threw the flashcards into the trash and gently patted my head, his eyes red-rimmed with tears.

He said to forget it. Our family could afford to support one person who could do nothing.

When I was ten years old, Yara brought in a top brain specialist from overseas.

All sorts of cold medical equipment were placed on my head.

The results showed that my brain activity was unusual, but I was unable to develop normal language and reasoning skills.

Yara held the report and cried outside the door all night.

After that, no one bothered with me anymore. I didn't have to think, speak, or take responsibility for anything.

That was the life I had always wanted. But now, someone was about to take that life away from me.

"Take her outside." When Dad finally spoke, his voice was rough and dry. "No one is allowed to let her back in without my permission."

Lily tightened her grip on my arm and pulled me toward the door.

I didn't budge. My feet stayed firmly planted on the carpet.

Lily froze for a moment, then gave my arm a hard tug. "Ms. Celeste, don't be difficult. Come on."

I still didn't move. I simply stared quietly at the agreement on the table.

Steven frowned.

He kept up his gentle facade as he came over and lowered his voice. "Celeste, don't make your father angry. Now isn't the time for one of your episodes.

"Be good, and I'll buy you some candy later."

He called it an episode.

In front of my family, he treated me with respect. But whenever he came close, he spoke to me as if I were mentally ill.

I looked up and quietly stared into his eyes behind his glasses.

My stare made Steven uneasy, and he took a step back without thinking.

He actually felt the intimidating presence of someone superior to him in the eyes of a fool.

It was an illusion. It had to be.

"Why are you still here?" Dad suddenly slammed his hand on the table.

Water splashed out of the glass and spilled across the wooden table.

"Do I have to show you the way out myself?" he snapped.

Julian sighed and came over to pick me up. "Celeste, let me carry you outside."

Just as his hand was about to touch my shoulder, Zander glanced at his watch.

"There are five minutes left," Zander said. "Mr. Richard, my patience is limited. If you think refusing to sign is the more honorable choice, I won't force you. I'll see you in court."

He stood up and calmly buttoned his suit jacket. "But then it won't be a peaceful acquisition. Your family's assets will be forcibly liquidated.

"Your wife, along with your daughter who can't even speak, may end up on the streets."

Zander's words hit Dad where it hurt most.

Dad's shoulders suddenly slumped, and he looked ten years older in an instant.

"I'll sign," Dad said.

Those two words carried a tremendous weight.

Steven immediately pushed the agreement in front of Dad. Then, he uncapped the pen and respectfully handed it to Dad.

"Mr. Richard, this is a wise decision," Steven said.

The black Montblanc pen gleamed coldly under the overhead lights.

Dad's hand hovered in the air for a long time, but he still didn't take it.

Yara bit her lip, and her tears finally spilled onto the back of her hand.

"Is there really no other way, Steven?" she asked.

She looked up at him as if he were her only hope.

A faint flicker of pity crossed Steven's eyes, but his trademark gentleness quickly covered it.

"Yara, if there were even the slightest chance, I would never let Mr. Richard sign," he replied. "But the overseas capital behind Mr. York is deeply entrenched.

"We have nothing left to bargain with."

He even turned around and gave Zander a respectful nod. "Mr. York, once Mr. Richard signs, I hope you'll keep your promise.

"Leave the few trust funds held in the Sutton family's names intact."