Chapter 3

The day before the banquet, James had an evening gown made specially for me, and he even hired the best stylist in the city for me. Giselle was so jealous that she spent the entire afternoon smashing things up.

At dinner, her eyes were red-rimmed as she said, "Dad, I want an art studio. I've looked everywhere, but I just can't seem to find a suitable place..."

James frowned. "There are plenty of empty rooms at home. Just pick one."

Giselle looked at me. "That's not it. I've got my eye on that vacant plot downtown. The lighting and environment there are great, but... the land is in Addy's name."

My movements paused. My maternal grandfather had left that plot of land to my mother, and she had legally signed it over to me. It was also the only core asset I had in my hands, with a market value of at least a billion dollars.

The bullet comments exploded instantly.

"Isn't that...? Ugh, I can't remember!"

"Whatever you do, just don't give it to her! This is your last card!"

James was also taken aback. He stared at me for a moment and muttered, "Addy, that plot..."

"Give it to her!" the Council roared. "This is the touchstone! This is their way to see if you have the capacity to accommodate others! It's just a piece of land! What is it compared to the entire Chatham Corporation?

"You must transfer it to Giselle without the slightest hesitation, right in front of your father! Once he is happy, he'll announce tomorrow that you're the one inheriting the multi-billion-dollar fortune!"

A billion dollars... in exchange for a vague promise?

"What? Are you not willing to give up the plot, Addy?" Giselle asked, her eyes welling up. "Then again, this is the only thing that Addy has to her name. It's my fault for being thoughtless..."

Sure enough, James' expression darkened. "Oh, it's alright. After all, that's the only inheritance your mother left you. Maybe we should just... forget it."

My mind raced. I quickly set down my cutlery and put on a gentle smile. "Dad! I never said I wouldn't give it. If Gigi likes it, she can have it. Never mind a plot of land—if she wanted my life, I'd give that too!"

James' expression immediately lifted. He was so delighted that he said, "Good! Addy, I wasn't wrong about you! With such generosity, you'll certainly achieve great things in the future!"

A lawyer drafted the transfer agreement on the spot.

The bullet comments flashed and cursed wildly. "Don't sign it! Adriana, are you an idiot?"

However, the Council laughed wildly and urged me on, "Sign it! Hurry up and sign it! Once you sign it, your father will think much more highly of you! Giselle will surely regret this one day!"

I picked up the pen and signed my name at the end of the agreement.

Giselle was so thrilled that she kissed the agreement and ran upstairs with it, not even staying for dinner.

James' eyes were wet as he patted my shoulder. "Addy, don't worry. I won't let you suffer a loss. Tomorrow at the banquet, I'll have a surprise for you that's a thousand times more valuable than that plot!"

"Thank you, Dad," I answered obediently.

…

The next day, the banquet proceeded as scheduled.

Dressed in the expensive gown, I followed James around the banquet hall. Although I had lost the billion-dollar plot, in the eyes of outsiders, I was James' most favored daughter, and my limelight was unmatched for the moment.

Maxwell, in a white suit, walked elegantly toward me. Ignoring Giselle, who stood nearby, dressed to the nines, he adjusted a few stray strands of hair at my temple in public.

"Don't be nervous," he whispered affectionately in my ear. "Tonight is your chance to show your ability. I'll support you all along."

Beside us, Giselle glared at us, her eyes practically burning with jealousy.

When Maxwell turned away to socialize, she viciously bumped my shoulder and whispered mockingly, "Addy, you're so adorably stupid. I had that plot appraised—even a quick resale would fetch a sky-high price. Thanks for the gift."

I smiled at her faintly. "The Council said that taking a loss can be a form of blessing, too."

At the climax of the banquet, James took the stage. "Thank you all for coming. Today, I'm going to announce a matter concerning the fate of the Chatham family for the next 30 years!"

Thunderous applause followed.

In my mind, the Council trembled with excitement. "Here it comes! He's going to announce you as the heir! Get ready to receive the cheers!"

I straightened my back as James cleared his throat.

"Chatham Corporation is seeking a business transformation and has finally secured a partnership agreement with the Hudson family of Silverlake City!"

Gasps rose from the audience.

James changed tack. "However, the collaboration involves tens of billions of dollars in funds and requires the signing of a valuation adjustment mechanism agreement. If Chatham Corporation doubles its performance in three years, the Hudson family will inject 20 billion dollars into the company. But if it fails to meet that target..."

His gaze swept over Giselle and me. "The person who signs the agreement will bear all the debt."

The entire hall fell silent.

James raised the document. "Whoever dares to sign the agreement will be the future head of the Chatham family and receive 51% of the company shares! Gigi, Addy, who among you is willing to take the risk for the family?"

Giselle's face turned deathly pale, and she instinctively shrank back. That was tens of billions of dollars in debt. Only a fool would sign it!

I looked calmly at Maxwell. He said nothing, only giving me a slight nod, his gaze full of trust.

"See the look in Maxwell's eyes? He's testing you!" the Council suddenly roared.

"Giselle doesn't dare to sign it, but you should go! Sign it, and the Chatham family is yours! This so-called risk is just a bluff! With the Hudson family behind it, how could you possibly lose? Hurry and grab the chance!"

I stared at the document, my heart pounding violently.

The bullet comments had already turned blood red.

"Don't go! This is a scapegoat agreement!"

"Chatham Corporation's finances are rotten to the core! It's impossible to achieve what's mentioned in the agreement."

"That's not a valuation adjustment at all! Your dad is just looking for someone to take the fall!"

A flicker of disappointment and unease crossed James' eyes. "Is there no one who will step up to it? Will the Chatham family have no successor, then?"

"I'll do it!"