Chapter 2

I exchanged a look with Ella.

"Even though Ella is not biologically mine, she's still my only daughter in the eyes of the law," I said. "When I die, she will inherit everything I own, including my properties, assets, stocks, funds, and 20% stake in the Grant Corporation.

"Given this, Ella, would you choose me, or choose your father and his wife who is a stranger to you?"

I could almost see the gears turning in Ella's little mind. She understood what I was saying immediately.

She threw herself into my arms and said brightly, "Dad has David now. He's not going to leave me with anything. Of course I want to be with you, Mom!"

Good girl. I'd taught her well.

She'd told them our intentions, just in a twisted way so they wouldn't be able to understand anyway.

Hearing that I was willing to give Ella everything I own, Ingrid's eyes brightened considerably.

She knew I had substantial assets under my name. Just my jewelry and property were worth quite a fortune, not to mention the 20% stake in the Grant Corporation.

Her greed was written blatantly all over her face.

She leaned close to Gordon and whispered, "Before your father passed away, he split the 60% stake of the Grant Corporation that he owned into four parts to maintain balance. Eden and Rose got 20%, Ella got 10%, and you got 10% too. If Eden passes her 20% to Ella, we'll be able to coax her into giving hers to us. Then you'll get 40%!

"Right now, the priority is to make Eden cough up her shares and her assets. Let her leave with nothing, and then pull Ella over to our side!"

Gordon thought for a moment. What Ingrid said made sense.

He stepped up and said to Ella warmly, "David is a boy, Ella. He can fend for himself, so he won't fight you for your inheritance. I'm also willing to give you everything I have!"

After a pause, he added, "That is only if you agree to do a DNA test with Ingrid. If the results show that she is your biological mother, then you will have to acknowledge her and treat her well!"

Eden glanced at me out of the corner of the eye. I gave her a subtle nod.

"Okay!" she agreed, but she cunningly added a condition of her own. "However, before we do the DNA test, I want both of you to come with me to a notary and sign an agreement saying that you will transfer all your assets to me unconditionally!"

I cheered silently. Ella was so clever!

Only things that she actually owned belonged to her—she was right not to trust in empty promises.

The rest of the extended family were thrilled by the drama.

They were thinking of the same thing as Ingrid did. They seemed to have already seen the fortune that they were about to get.

Gordon had no idea how to manage a company. If he gains control of the Grant Corporation, he would be an easy puppet.

"Yes! That's what you should do!" One of them cheered, leading the applause.

"I'll call the notary's office right now!" Another relative pulled out their phone and made a call.

All of them were buzzing with excitement like they were preparing for some kind of grand celebration.

While they were busy, Rose tried to stop me, concerned. "Eden, are you sure you want to do this? Perhaps you should think this over."

I smiled and shook my head. "Don't worry, Rose. I know what I'm doing."

Rose trusted that I knew what I was doing, so seeing that I was composed, she did not press on.

Under the rest of the Grant family's help, Gordon and I transferred everything we owned to Ella, leaving only 50,000 dollars for ourselves as living expenses.

In the notary's office, Gordon and Ingrid looked at Ella affectionately as if envisioning their future reign over the Gordon Corporation.

I watched them daydream, then looked at my daughter, who was now a billionaire; I smiled as well.

However, simply stripping Gordon of his wealth wasn't enough for me. I wanted to strip Ingrid of her pride too.

"Didn't you say you loved Ella, Ingrid? Shouldn't you do something to show it?" I glanced at her and continued lazily, "I've spent millions of dollars raising her for you, after all. I don't even need you to pay me back; just give the money to Ella. I love her the most, after all."

Ella seized the opportunity to swindle Ingrid as well. "Ms. Bolton, you've been dating my father for more than 20 years. I'm sure you have a few million dollars to spare. Shouldn't you prove your love to me? If you don't, I might think you're only reconnecting with me to gain control of the Grant Corporation!"

Ingrid's expression stiffened. She was caught in a dilemma.

She didn't want to give Ella the money, but Elle would doubt her intentions if she didn't.

Then again, sacrifices had to be made if she wanted to make it big. Gritting her teeth, she took out a bank card from her purse and handed it to Ella.

"Of course I love you, Ella. Here's 5 million dollars. I've used more than a decade to save this up!"

Ella grabbed the card and immediately called for the notary to formalize the gift.

Ingrid smiled, but her expression was slightly twisted, as if someone were cutting off one of her limbs.