7. Three Months! 

If he had said this three years ago, I would be over the moon.

For years, I’d longed after his admiration and acceptance.

Strange how they now meant nothing to me.

Grandpa narrowed his eyes, a look of disbelief flashing momentarily. “Not interested in what? Marrying Andrew Hale or running the company?”

“Both,” I replied, dropping my arms.

In fact, the conversation was already draining… so I turned for the door—

“Anna!” Mom rushed to block my path. “Isn’t this what you've always wanted? Your Grandpa is finally letting you run the business. You don't have to marry Andrew anymore.”

“Dear,” Dad came forward. “You have been secretly helping the business, which shows that you care. Don't try to make things difficult.”

I wasn't trying to.

Besides, caring didn't mean I wanted to be part of it.

“Big Sis!”

A crash!

I spun and found Xander on the floor, struggling to crawl up to me.

My heart dropped.

Quickly, I rushed to support him, holding him carefully to not worsen his pain.

“What are you doing?”

“Big Sis.” He grabbed my hand desperately, as if he wasn't feeling any pain. “Please don't go away. How about this? You can manage the business for a while until I recover. Three months! Just three months. Please stay, Big Sis.”

A heavy weight hung over my chest.

I glanced back at Mom and Dad… at their pleading expressions.

I glanced at Grandpa, whose eyes quickly diverted from mine as if avoiding eye contact. 

“No matter what happened,” the old man grumbled. “You are the first daughter and must take the responsibility of ensuring the family survives. Your father disappointed me, and your brother is also a failure. Be proud that you're able to contribute something.”

I shook my head, my lips curling forcefully.

Of course, the old man was always after benefits.

“Fine!” Carefully releasing Xander, I stood up. “But I’m only doing this for three months. Once Xander recovers, he’ll take over.”

The old man frowned in displeasure, then he grumbled under his breath before storming out of the room.

“Big Sis, does that mean you're finally back?” Xander called out, wincing while struggling to climb up the bed. 

Mom and Dad hurried forward to help him, and I joined them.

Nodding slowly, I smiled.

But I wasn't staying for long. Just three months. 

The Next Morning.

The city’s media channels were buzzing again. Not with the news about Xander’s attack this time, but the news of my return.

“Wait! Does the Sterling family have another child?”

“I heard that she is Alexander Sterling’s older sister.”

“Really? Why did she never attend any gathering? Her face was never shown on the media either.”

“Rumor has it that she has been studying abroad and has now returned to run the Sterling Empire.”

“This sounds suspicious. Annalise Sterling appeared at the same time Alexander Sterling was attacked. Is the Sterling family hiding a secret?”

Sitting in the backseat of the Maybach, I scrolled through my phone, staring at the comments online.

An hour later, 

The car pulled over in front of an enormous skyscraper.

Standing in the middle of the city, the Sterling Empire’s main headquarters towered high above every building in the area.

“Ms. Sterling.”

“Good morning, Ms. Sterling.”

“Welcome to the company, Ms. Sterling. It is a pleasure to meet you!” 

As I stepped inside, all the employees on the first floor lined up, greeting concurrently.

Then a young lady approached with a phone tablet, her wary expression spelling trouble. 

“Good morning, Ms. Sterling. My name is Linda Cowell. I'll be your assistant—”

“—Ms. Sterling,” she added instantly. “The company’s board of directors has been waiting. The meeting was supposed to begin twenty minutes ago.”

Right.

I glanced at my wristwatch.

If not for the traffic, I would have arrived exactly an hour ago.

“The company’s situation isn’t optimistic at the moment. News of Mr. Sterling’s injuries caused the stock price to drop by twelve percent this week alone,” Linda reported as we headed to the conference room.

“Three major investors have requested emergency meetings. Two overseas partners are considering suspending ongoing projects until the leadership situation becomes clearer.”

“And internally?” I asked without pausing.

Linda hesitated. “Several senior executives are questioning whether the company should appoint an acting chairman from the board instead.”

“To be frank, Ms. Sterling…” her voice lowered. “Many people aren’t pleased with your appointment.”

The moment we entered the conference room, the place fell silent.

More than a dozen pairs of eyes turned to me, and one of the directors slammed his file shut.

“Ms. Sterling, how kind of you to finally join us.”

Several people exchanged looks.

Another director scoffed. “We’ve been waiting for almost half an hour.”

“And this is supposed to be the person taking over the company?”

Murmurs spread around the table.

I walked to the head seat without responding. 

Then I placed my folder on the table and sat down.

Only then did I lift my gaze, with a subtle smile. “Are you all finished?”

The room froze.

The director who had spoken first frowned. 

Calmly, I folded my hands and nodded. “Good. Perhaps, we can move on to the company’s situation.”