Chapter 6

The words seemed to please Bernard. He finally nodded, his face still grim. “Call her. I will decide after meeting her.” His voice softened a little and his eyes even moved toward the drink.

Veronica nodded with a flattering smile, but the moment she turned toward the stairs, her eyes turned cold and sharp with hidden anger. Her grip on the banister tightened. “Could that foolish girl have realized something?” The way Victoria had fallen, dirtied her dress, and rushed away to clean herself felt too convenient. But she quickly shook the thought away. There was no way. The girl had no contact with the outside world and trusted them completely.

With that, she climbed the stairs, missing her daughter who was already hiding in the kitchen. Giselle had come down after locking her sister inside. She had confirmed with the maids that the guest was a rich businessman. She had quickly searched his net worth and found it in the millions. If she played her cards right, she could marry him.

Her eyes shone with greed and excitement. But her mother had chosen Victoria, and she knew her mother never took no for an answer. So she hid in the kitchen, waiting for the right chance.

And now she saw it.

She adjusted her hair and pulled her dress lower, making herself look more appealing. Determination filled her eyes. She would win him over herself. There was no way she would let Victoria marry into wealth while she stayed behind.

“Mr. Harrigan, have you been waiting long?” she asked with a sweet smile, brushing her hand through her hair as she sat beside him instead of across from him.

Her sudden appearance shocked both men. Benard looked at her with interest, while her father froze in horror.

“Giselle! What are you doing here? Your mother asked you to stay in your room and study,” he said firmly. But when he noticed his boss watching him, his voice faltered.

“Sir, she is not my niece, she is my daughter.” He forced a smile. “She struggles with her studies, so my wife told her to stay in her room. My niece will be here soon. She is even more… suitable.” As he spoke, he kept signaling Giselle to leave.

But Giselle ignored him. She saw the way her father was sweating and stumbling over his words. He had always been powerful in the company, yet now he looked small in front of this man. This only proved how much power Benard held.

And she wanted that power.

Her eyes turned cold as her hand moved closer to Benard. The man paused, then slowly smiled.

He completely ignored the father and focused on her. Her smooth skin and delicate appearance caught his attention. His gaze darkened.

“Young lady, do you know who I am?” Benard asked, licking his lips slightly, his attention fully on her now.

Giselle lowered her gaze shyly, playing the part well.

“You are my father’s boss. I wanted to thank you for helping him get a promotion,” she said softly, her voice gentle and innocent.

Benard laughed.

“But I haven’t given your father any promotion yet.”

Her father stiffened and stood up, glaring at her, confused about when she had learned such behavior. Part of him felt proud that she was trying to help, but this was supposed to be his niece’s role. He had raised her for this moment.

“My dear…” he started, but stopped when he saw the warning look from his boss.

“Father, you look tired. Should I pour you some tea?” Giselle asked sweetly, pretending not to understand anything. If things went wrong, she could easily shift the blame onto her cousin.

“Giselle!” he hissed, feeling trapped. He had signaled her many times, yet she refused to leave.

“Harry, go and bring me better wine,” Benard said calmly, but the command was clear. Refusal was not an option.

Harry froze. “Boss…”

“Oh, I can bring it,” Giselle said quickly with a smile. “Father had saved a bottle of vintage wine for you, but my cousin dropped it and panicked. She even tried to clean it with her dress.” She laughed lightly, as if sharing something harmless.

Benard’s eyes narrowed slightly as he glanced at Harry.

“Is that so?” His voice turned colder, but Giselle ignored it, focused only on winning.

“Yes, she has always been clumsy. Once she even told me—”

“Gisella! What are you doing here?” Veronica’s voice cut through the air as she came downstairs, her face flushed with anger. She looked ready to explode. Her sharp eyes locked onto her daughter. “Go to your room. Now.”

The air turned heavy.

Benard’s expression hardened instantly.

“If she leaves, your job leaves with her.”