All Chapters of The Billionaires Greatest Regret: Chapter 111 - Chapter 119

POV: Vivienne Ashford "The recess is expected to last several hours, possibly extending into tomorrow, given the complexity of the testimony presented today," Arthur reported, finding Vivienne and Roman in the courthouse's small waiting area, both of them exhausted from the morning's difficult proceedings. "The board takes these decisions seriously, particularly given the severity and complexity of Mrs. Ashford's original crimes." "I don't know how to occupy myself, waiting for something this significant," Vivienne admitted, the particular anxious helplessness of the situation settling heavily over her despite her considerable accumulated experience managing exactly this kind of difficult uncertainty. "Perhaps we should simply be present with each other, rather than trying to distract ourselves," Roman suggested, and they spent the following hours in quiet conversation, occasionally joined by Whitfield and Caius, the shared experience of the morning's difficult testimony creating i

POV: Vivienne Ashford "I have exciting news," Maya announced at dinner, several months after their London trip, practically vibrating with theatrical enthusiasm. "The touring production offered me a permanent spot in their junior company. It means considerably more performances, but also considerably more training opportunities with genuinely accomplished directors." "That's wonderful," Vivienne said, though she noticed Roman's expression carrying a more cautious consideration alongside his evident pride. "What would that actually require, in terms of schedule?" "More touring," Maya admitted. "Potentially six months out of the year, though always with proper educational accommodation built in, and Ms. Bennett could travel with me for the younger productions." The family discussed this considerable opportunity carefully over the following days, weighing Maya's genuine talent and passion against the practical challenges of accommodating such extensive touring within their establishe

POV: Vivienne Ashford"The differential equations aren't actually the hard part," Leo explained during the family's scheduled video call, three weeks into his first term, his voice carrying the particular animated enthusiasm that had come to characterize his engagement with genuinely challenging material. "The hard part is that everyone else in my cohort is at least three years older, and sometimes I feel like I have to work twice as hard just to be taken seriously in group projects.""Are they treating you unkindly?" Vivienne asked, concern immediately sharpening in her voice."Not unkindly, exactly," Leo said, considering the question carefully. "Just sort of skeptical, at first. Like they assume I got in through some special arrangement rather than actually earning my place. But it's gotten better, honestly, once they saw my actual coursework.""I'm proud of you for pushing through that skepticism," Roman said. "Though I hope you know you can tell us if it ever becomes something mo

POV: Vivienne Ashford"Sometimes I feel like nobody notices what I'm doing, because Leo's off being a genius at university and Maya's a famous actress now," Grace admitted during a quiet evening conversation with Vivienne, her usual cheerful confidence giving way to something more vulnerable. "I finished my marine biology project for the science fair, and I know it's good, but I feel like it doesn't matter as much as their big accomplishments."Vivienne set aside what she'd been working on, giving her youngest daughter her full, undivided attention. "Grace, I want you to know something important. Your achievements matter exactly as much as your siblings', regardless of how differently they might look on the surface.""But Leo's at Imperial College, and Maya's performing in actual professional shows," Grace said, her voice carrying genuine hurt. "My science fair project is just... a project.""Your science fair project represents genuine, sustained dedication to something you deeply ca

POV: Vivienne Ashford"Professor Hartley wants to formally include the quiet propulsion research direction Grace suggested," Leo announced at dinner, several weeks into his continued summer collaboration with his younger sister, genuine excitement evident in his voice. "He's calling it a promising interdisciplinary application, and he wants to credit Grace as a contributing consultant on the research paper."Grace's eyes widened with disbelieving delight. "Me? A real scientist wants to credit me on an actual research paper?""You provided the actual insight that shaped this particular research direction," Leo confirmed. "That deserves proper credit, regardless of your age.""This is the best thing that's ever happened to me," Grace declared, practically vibrating with excitement, and the family celebrated this remarkable milestone with genuine, collective joy, Roman insisting on a special dinner to properly mark the occasion."I want to frame the eventual published paper," Grace annou