My Salvation Is Their Regret

My grandfather seemed relieved after hearing my response. "You've finally come to your senses. I've heard that Keanu has been entangled with another woman. So, among the three men your father introduced you to, did any of them catch your eye?"

I shook my head. "Nope. I choose Micah Kingswell, the eldest son of the Kingswell family. Since this is a marriage of alliance, I might as well choose someone powerful."

My grandfather frowned. "But he just left the clergy. I heard he became a priest after a car accident left him impotent. What if you two can't have a normal married life?"

For the first time, I raised my gaze to meet his stern yet kind eyes. "It's a business marriage, Grandpa. It's all about benefits, not love. Besides, I've long given up on love. Isn't my mom's life the perfect proof that men can't be trusted?"

As soon as I mentioned my mother, the authority in my grandfather's gaze dimmed, and he glanced at me a few times. In the end, he sighed and lamented, "You're truly all grown up now. If only your mother had been as clear-headed as you…"

I sighed inwardly. My grandfather once told me that my dad claimed my mom died giving birth to me. My grandmother had passed away early, leaving my mother as their only child.

Stricken with grief, my grandfather handed the company over to my father. Yet, he became suspicious when he noticed that Eliana Morcant didn't resemble anyone in the family.

By the time he reclaimed the company and found me, I was already 15. I was small, frail, and painfully self-conscious.

Beside himself with anger, he announced on the spot that I, Elysia Morcant, would be his only heir. However, since I had been forced to drop out of school when I was young, I lacked the ability to manage such a massive corporation.

My father volunteered to take me back home, claiming he wanted to make it up to me. He took it upon himself to find me a husband. From then on, the three underprivileged students he sponsored, who were also Eliana's childhood sweethearts, were often arranged to stay close to me.

Yet, in truth, I had an eidetic memory since I was little. If I'd studied for just a few years, I would've been perfectly capable of running the company on my own.

…

That morning, after walking out of the finance department and ignoring the accountant, Jennifer Brown's snide remarks, I went straight to the human resources department and fired that woman.

Before noon, Keanu Strathmore came storming into my office. He cut straight to the chase, glaring at me coldly. "Why did you fire Jennifer?"

Zayn Blackwell, who came in right after him, fumed, "You're seriously unbelievable! You clearly don't know a thing. Can't you ask for our opinions before you act?

"Do you even know how long Jennifer has been with the company? The accounts will be a complete mess without her!"

Julian Sullivan, who had always been hot-tempered, rolled his eyes. "If you're that bored, go shopping or something instead of wreaking havoc here!

"Go apologize to Jennifer, or we won't let Keanu help you manage the company anymore. If she doesn't come back, we're quitting too. Let's see who's still willing to help you then!"

Right after saying that, he grabbed me by the collar, and I instantly felt my breath catch. Keanu merely leaned against the doorframe, coldly watching this scene unfold.

Anger flared in my chest, and I stomped hard on Julian's foot. He yelped, and I turned to look at him apathetically. "She couldn't explain a 20-million-dollar expense. Why can't I fire her?"

Julian leaned toward Keanu and muttered under his breath, "Didn't you buy Heart of the Sea last week for 20 million dollars?"