Chapter 2

Connor sat down across from Landon, and his lawyer began handing out copies of the agreement to everyone in the Stewart family.

The terms included paying off all the debts, keeping the employees, continuing the current projects, and even allowing Landon to remain as honorary chairman.

But the hidden meaning was clear.

The Stewart Mansion would belong to Connor.

Connor would pay off their debts, but the Stewarts would be reduced to nothing more than house-sitters.

Noah quickly flipped through the agreement. "51 percent is too much. You're only paying off 1.07 billion dollars, but you'll gain actual control of Stewart Group."

Connor smiled. "Mr. Noah, have you forgotten that Stewart Group isn't a normal company anymore? By tomorrow morning, the banks will be seizing it. The fact that I'm willing to pay to solve your problem is already charity."

As he spoke, he looked at me. "Of course, if Ms. Stewart is willing to sell some of her assets, she might still be able to raise some money for the family."

Everyone turned to look at me again.

Landon frowned. "Talia's assets have nothing to do with Stewart Group. I don't care if the company goes bankrupt, but we are not touching what's left of her assets."

I looked at Landon.

Three years ago, he had given me five billion dollars and told me to buy whatever I wanted. He even said it was fine if I lost it all.

Sure enough, I managed to reduce that five billion dollars to just 2.8 million dollars on paper.

He was furious when he found out. But he never once asked me to give back the assets I had bought.

After the company's crisis began, he sold his private jet and his collection.

Noah had also mortgaged every property he owned.

They called me a spoiled heiress and complained that I was too naive, but they never forced me to sell what I had left to pay the debts.

My family was proud and stubborn.

We hated admitting defeat.

That was also why I was still sitting here today.

Connor lightly tapped his fingers on the table. "Mr. Stewart's love for his daughter is truly touching. But the money Ms. Stewart wasted came from your family in the first place. Now that the family is in trouble, shouldn't she take some responsibility?"

Noah stared at me for a moment before finally asking, "What assets do you still have?"

"I have seven buildings, a piece of land, five companies, and 2.8 million dollars in cash."

Someone in the room laughed when they heard the last number.

Turning five billion dollars into 2.8 million dollars was simply unbelievable.

Noah closed his eyes. "Sell everything you can. Put the cash into the company too."

Landon immediately shouted. "Noah!"

Noah spun around. "Dad, our employees haven't been paid for three months. The suppliers are downstairs waiting for answers. The banks are going to freeze the company's accounts tomorrow. She spent our family's money. She's got no damn right to keep clutching that worthless crap."

I looked up at him. "You want to sell my buildings?"

"They're unfinished buildings!"

"What about my land?"

"It's just an empty piece of land!"

"What about my companies?"

His chest heaved with anger. "They're just shell companies! Talia, do you even understand that every dollar matters right now?"

I thought about it seriously before answering, "I understand. That's why I can't sell them."

Connor's smile grew deeper. "Ms. Stewart, you're still the same. You're still selfishly thinking only about yourself while ignoring your family's problems."

My aunt, Eunice Stewart, was sitting nearby.

She finally couldn't hold back. "Landon, you spoiled her too much. If you had given that five billion dollars to Noah back then, none of this would have happened."

She looked at me with disappointment.

When I was a child and bought my first unfinished building, she had even thrown a celebration party for me.

But the building never resumed construction. After that, she became the harshest critic of me in the entire family.

People's patience is a lot like a construction project. Once a project is abandoned halfway, it's hard to get it moving again.

Landon let out a long sigh. "Talia, give them the cash. Keep the other things. At least we'll still have somewhere to live in the future."

He thought those assets were already worthless, so he still wanted to protect the last bit of wealth I had.

Just as I was about to answer, Connor's assistant pushed open the door and rushed inside. "Mr. Hooper, the bank just sent a notice. They've moved Stewart Group's repayment deadline up to 10 p.m. tonight."

It was already 8 p.m.

We had only two hours left.

Connor pushed the acquisition agreement back in front of Landon. "Mr. Stewart, you're out of time. If ten o'clock passes, the price written on this paper won't be the same anymore."