Chapter 14
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The team added a "personal risk assessment" section that proved invaluable during negotiations.
Robert Shaw proved exactly as cunning as anticipated, playing his cards close to his chest throughout the talks.
But armed with insights into Shaw's negotiation patterns, Ethan outmaneuvered him at every turn and ultimately secured the deal.
The entire company buzzed with praise for Ethan's brilliant strategy, and people began treating me with newfound respect.
Ethan began trusting me with increasingly important matters, bringing me into key meetings and decisions.
[Ding! Target's Affection Points +30! Current Affection Points: +40!]
[Ding! Target's Villain Meter decreased by 15%! Current Villain Meter: 35%!]
Both metrics were improving rapidly. My mission suddenly seemed achievable.
Just as everything was going well, disaster struck at the Holt estate.
I was organizing files in my office when Jenkins called, his voice frantic.
"Mrs. Holt, come quickly! The old master has collapsed!"
My heart lurched. I dropped everything and raced to the estate.
They'd rushed Old Mr. Holt to the hospital. After emergency surgery, he was stable but unconscious.
The doctor explained he'd suffered a massive cerebral hemorrhage. The prognosis wasn't good.
The family was in chaos.
Gregory and Mandy performed their grief dramatically in the waiting room, playing the part of devoted family members.
Vivian Woods appeared too, pretending to comfort Mandy while shooting venomous glares my way.
Ethan sat by his grandfather's bedside, his face grim and silent.
I approached quietly. "How is he?"
He shook his head, his voice rough. "Still critical."
Suddenly Gregory stormed over, jabbing his finger at Ethan's face. "How dare you show your face here? This is your fault!"
"What are you talking about?" I snapped before I could stop myself.
"Don't play innocent," Gregory sneered. "If you hadn't forced your way into the Shaw deal against Father's wishes, he wouldn't be lying here now. You're just waiting for him to die so you can take everything!"
The other family members began whispering among themselves.
Mandy jumped in, fanning the flames. "Father never wanted you handling the Shaw deal. You defied him, and now look what's happened. This is on you, Ethan."
Ethan's face went deathly pale, a dangerous chill radiating from him.
[Ding! Target's Villain Meter increased by 10%! Current Villain Meter: 45%!]
My stomach dropped. Gregory was deliberately pushing Ethan's buttons.
I grabbed Ethan's hand, squeezing it gently, trying to ground him.
"That's enough! This is a hospital, not a courtroom. Mr. Holt's condition has nothing to do with Ethan!"
"Nothing to do with him?" Gregory spat. "Don't think I don't see what you two are plotting. A cripple and his replacement bride, scheming to destroy the Holt legacy!"
His cruel words ignited something dangerous in Ethan.
Ethan's head snapped up, his eyes like shards of ice.
"One more word, Gregory, and I'll make sure you never speak again."
His quiet voice carried more menace than any shout could.
Gregory faltered, taking an involuntary step back.
Just as the tension reached breaking point, a weak voice cut through.
"Enough… all of you."
Everyone turned to see Old Mr. Holt awake, his eyes open but barely.
His face was ashen, but his gaze remained sharp as ever.
"Father!" Gregory and Mandy rushed to his side, their voices suddenly dripping with concern.
Old Mr. Holt ignored them completely, his gaze fixed on Ethan.
"Ethan…"
Ethan moved forward immediately, taking the old man's frail hand. "Grandfather, you're awake."
Old Mr. Holt coughed harshly. "Gregory, Mandy—out. I need to speak with Ethan."
Though clearly reluctant, Gregory and Mandy didn't dare disobey. They slunk from the room.
Vivian followed, shooting me one last venomous look.
Only the three of us remained.
Old Mr. Holt beckoned me closer. I approached, and he studied me with surprising clarity.
"Eve Sullivan," he said weakly, "you're a good woman. Ethan is fortunate to have found you."
My heart swelled unexpectedly at his words.
Ethan looked equally surprised.
"Grandfather—"
"Ethan," Old Mr. Holt cut him off, his tone suddenly serious, "Holt Corporation is yours now."
Ethan went rigid with shock.
"Grandfather, what are you saying?"
"I know my condition," the old man sighed. "This lucidity is temporary. From now on, Holt Corporation is your responsibility alone."
His gaze held nothing but trust and expectation.
"I know you resent me for favoring Gregory all these years, for not supporting you when you needed it most. But now I'm entrusting everything to you. Take the Holt name further than I ever could."
Ethan's eyes glistened. He gripped the old man's hand tightly. "I won't let you down."
[Ding! Target's Affection Points +20! Current Affection Points: +60!]
[Ding! Target's Villain Meter decreased by 15%! Current Villain Meter: 30%!]
I could barely contain my excitement.
Old Mr. Holt had just handed everything to Ethan!
This was the ultimate validation Ethan had always craved.
With his grandfather's blessing, Ethan's position was secure—and his path away from villainy nearly complete.
