I nodded: "Absolutely, as a distinguished alumnus like you, the school leaders will definitely accompany you." He smiled modestly: "Dealing with them is exhausting too, I just wish for some freedom." I teased, "That’s the trouble of successful people. For ordinary folks like us, being spectators is good enough." Daniel Carter was embarrassed by my praise, he looked down and laughed, then suddenly said: "On the day of the anniversary, we can return to the alma mater together." "Huh? I was planning to take the subway, do you want to come along?" I imagined the centennial celebration, surely grand, and the roads around the school would be jammed completely. For safety considerations, the school wouldn’t allow so many outsider vehicles in, so taking the subway would be more convenient and faster. "You’re going to dress nicely to squeeze into the subway?" Daniel raised an eyebrow slightly, then said, "I’ll pick you up that day, my car can enter the school from the north gate." "Oh, really?" I was a bit surprised, but it made sense. With his status and identity, having some privileges is normal; returning to the alma mater would definitely be of the highest standard of treatment. Not to mention his car could enter the campus, surely even before he arrived, the leaders would already be lining up to welcome him. I pictured that scene and hesitated a bit, "Okay, but I have to get off earlier, I can’t follow you all the way in." I don’t have that honor to enjoy the school leaders’ reception. Daniel chuckled softly, "Okay, we’ll talk about it then." "Mm!" I nodded heavily, increasingly looking forward to the anniversary day. "Hey, bro, do you guys want to come upstairs and chat more?" Suddenly, Melissa’s voice came from inside the cabin. My ears twitched, snapped back to reality, and quickly said: "You should get back on the car and go home, so Mrs. Carter won’t worry." As I spoke, I saw my car approaching the entrance of the neighborhood. Secretary Harris had returned my car. "Alright, I’m going back. You should sit in the car, it’s cold, and you shouldn’t be blown by the wind after drinking." Daniel also noticed my car return, raised his hand and pointed. "Mm, bye." I thought I should guide Secretary Harris, so I quickly said goodbye to him and walked to my car and got in. That night, I was immersed in a floating sense of emptiness, even humming while showering. Thinking back to the feeling of being close to him in the car, I was still blissfully happy before going to bed. Just got hurt badly by one man, and now blindly infatuated with another. I kept reminding myself—Lily, snap out of it! Don’t act like a lovesick fool again! Yet another voice was protesting—Lily, in this lifetime, it’s not easy to meet someone you admire and like! As consciousness was about to slip into darkness, my rationality was defeated by emotion again. Even if I get deceived by him, even if love is unrequited, even if it painfully breaks my heart, just being able to enjoy this feeling, this admiration, this intoxicating sensation, is worth all the negatives. The next day, I went back to the studio to continue working overtime. On the way, my aunt called. It seems she has already considered my proposal from last night. "Lily, are you up yet?" My aunt gently laughed, her tone soft, I instantly understood she must have decided to buy all my shares, but likely wants to negotiate the price down. I pretended to not know anything, "I’ve been up early, on my way to the office, need to work overtime." "Oh dear, really hard work." I kept feigning ignorance, laughed along. She didn’t mention it, so neither did I, wondering who would lose patience first. There was a silence on the other end, my aunt was the first to break it: "Lily, um... about the shares you mentioned yesterday, your uncle and I discussed it all night, we think it’s better for that company to remain within family hands, so we’ve decided to purchase all your shares, but—" She hesitated, smiled cautiously, "Can the total price be a bit lower? We really don’t have that much money." Indeed, just as I predicted. Driving along, I gracefully managed, "Aunt, I’m having a tough time too, I owe three billion outside, worrying me into insomnia, anxiety, losing hair in clumps, you see I worked all weekend due to immense stress, afraid to rest." I’ve long seen through human nature and these Miller family relatives. Being kind-hearted and soft towards them does me no good. They benefit yet act coyly, who knows how they laugh behind my back, mocking me as silly and easy to fool. Therefore, I won’t make an inch of concession. Sure enough, hearing my lament, my aunt couldn’t articulate: "Ah... I know you’re having a hard time." "Yes, if I can’t pay off external debts on time, I’ll have to give the company to others, oh..." My aunt sighed heavily and hesitated for a while, "So... six million to buy all your shares?" "Right, I’ll sell all without any holding back. Once Aunt becomes the company’s largest shareholder, the managerial position will certainly be yours, as long as the company operates smoothly, this six million will be recouped in a few years. Moreover, you’ll have the company under your name, you’ll be the self-made generation, and your cousins will be the second generation of wealth, when they marry, they’d have rich assets, and their partners will definitely be of equal standing, strongly united, your family will completely transcend class barriers." After saying all this, I couldn’t help but applaud myself inwardly. Is it that once one becomes a boss, these skills of persuasion and manipulation come naturally? Predictably, my aunt was brainwashed by my words, immediately laughed: "That’s right, you’re thinking long-term. Okay, it’s settled, when shall we sign the agreement?" To avoid prolonged changes, I replied: "Tomorrow Monday, at nine in the morning, I’ll go to the company, sign the contract before all shareholders, and concurrently announce the personnel appointment at the shareholder meeting." "Good, see you tomorrow." Hung up the phone, I couldn’t help but laugh driving. After being bullied by the Miller family for so many years, now I finally have my revenge. Years later, even if Jason Miller gets out of jail and wants to reclaim the company, it won’t be any of my concern. Let them, his siblings, fight amongst themselves. The next day at nine in the morning, I appeared on time at Zephanor Trade. We smoothly completed the equity transfer agreement, my aunt transferred six million to me on the spot. Glancing at the account information on the bank card, I felt reassured and stood up smilingly, "Congratulations Aunt, from now on Zephanor Trade is under your command." My aunt and uncle were thrilled, chatting with confidence, "From now on, it’s our turn to expand greatly!" In the meeting room, all shareholders witnessed this scene, naturally, some were happy, some not. However, after I led the applause, other shareholders followed with clapping and supportive cheers. This sort of admiration instantly let my aunt and uncle experience the grandeur and pride of being bosses, smiling with joy and satisfaction. Thɪs chapter is updated by noⅴelfire.net Suddenly, the meeting room door was slammed open—