Chapter 4

Grace probably really thought she had won.

The next day, she had Ruby sent out of the city.

Then, using Simon’s private authority as the head of the Sherman family business, she dismissed the old accountant at the main office and replaced him with her cousin, Nicholas Truman.

On his first day at the main office, he withdrew five thousand dollars. He claimed it was for New Year gifts to the Truman family.

The Sherman family’s accountant, Albert Lawrence, did not dare offend him, so he quietly sent the withdrawal request to me.

I glanced at it and said, “Give it to him.”

Albert panicked. “But Miss, that’s five thousand dollars!”

I picked up a pen and added a line at the bottom of the slip. “Mark it as Simon’s personal draw for this term.”

Albert was stunned. Then, he quickly understood what I was doing. “Yes, Miss.”

That afternoon, Grace sent people to move things out of the east wing of my courtyard. She said the location had good sunlight. When she and Simon had a daughter in the future, it would be perfect for the child.

One of my maids, Lily Graham, was furious about it.

“Miss, she’s even going after your courtyard!”

I watched the servants carry out several chests.

Strangely, I felt nothing.

For the first three days, I had still hesitated. After all, Simon had managed the business for me for twelve years.

As long as he still knew his place, no matter how foolish Grace acted, I would simply kick her out at most. But things had gotten simpler.

That evening, Simon came to me on his own. He was holding a new contract in his hand.

“Clarisse, I’ve been thinking. Going through the renewal formality with you every year on New Year’s Day is honestly a hassle.”

He spread the contract out in front of me. At the top were four words.

[Permanent Managing Director.]

I looked up at him.

He said casually, “Back then, you were just a kid. Grandpa spoiled you. Leaving a little formality for you was no big deal.

“But you’re eighteen now. A business as big as the Sherman family can’t keep holding onto such a childish rule forever.

“I’ll go through the formality with you one last time this year. After that, let’s just drop it.”

I could not help but ask him, “Did you really think I stamped that seal every year just to make myself happy?

He frowned and asked, “What else would it be?

“Clarisse, think about it. In twelve years, how many complete ledgers have you actually read? How many regional managers have you met?

“Everyone knows who’s really running the Sherman family business.”

Just then, Grace walked in. When she heard that, she chimed in with a smile. “Exactly. Simon is just looking out for you as family. He plays along year after year, and you actually think you’re the head of this household.”

She handed a pen to me and pushed the contract toward me. “Just stamp it on the first of the new year in front of the other family members.

“After that, you can settle down and get married. Simon will continue to run the business, and I’ll run the Sherman family household. Everyone will get peace of mind.”

I did not argue with them. I simply closed the contract and said, “Fine. We’ll settle this in front of everyone on the first of the new year.”

Simon visibly let out a breath.

After they left, Albert stepped out from behind the curtain, holding two boxes. One held the seal meant for the head of the family business. The other held the family’s golden seal.

“Miss, it’s already New Year’s Eve. Mr. Evan’s term ends at midnight.”

I nodded.

“Are the candidates here?”

“They’ve all arrived in the city.”

On the first day of the new year, before dawn, the street outside the main office was packed with horse carriages.

The regional managers of all thirteen family banks and seventy-two shops had arrived, along with the other Sherman family members.

Simon came late. He clearly had not expected so many people. He even joked with a smile. “Clarisse really went all out with the formality this time.”

Grace held his arm. “It’s the first time we’re scrapping the old rule. A little fanfare doesn’t hurt.”

Once the two of them entered, Simon habitually took the seat on the left. Grace, however, walked straight to the head of the table.

Albert’s expression darkened, but I raised a hand to stop him.

After she sat down, she even smiled and waved me over.

“Clarisse, come over here.

“Let’s get the permanent contract stamped today, so no one has to keep humoring you every year.”

Not a single person in the room laughed. Simon sensed something odd about the atmosphere, but he did not think much of it.

He placed the contract on the table and said, “Let’s begin.”

With that, he habitually reached a hand toward Albert.

“Bring me this year’s main office ledger first. I’ll stamp it.”

Albert did not move.

Simon frowned and asked, “Did you not hear me?”

Only then did Albert stand up. But he did not hand over the ledger.

Instead, he lifted the seal meant for the head of the family business that Simon used with both hands and presented it to me.

“Ms. Sherman, the previous term ended last night at midnight. By right, Mr. Evan’s seal is voided today.”

The smile on Simon’s face froze.

Grace’s frown deepened. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Albert ignored her.

In the main hall, over seventy managers rose to their feet in unison.

My great-uncle, Winston Sherman, rose at the front and gave me a respectful nod.

“Clarisse, as the head of the family, please review last year’s ledger. Then, please decide the candidate for this year’s head of the family business.”

Simon’s expression changed. He whipped his head toward me.

“What do you mean, decide this year’s candidate?”

Ignoring him, I simply picked up the roster on the table and slowly turned to this year’s page. There was no other name under Simon’s.

I looked at him and said, “Didn’t you always say this was just a formality?”

His lips trembled with rage and confusion.

I placed the seal for the head of the family business back into its box. “Perfect, we’re skipping this year’s formality.”