Chapter 17: Margaret Wants to Take the Stewart Family’s Wealth

Jasper frowned. “You studied fine arts. That has nothing to do with the Stewart Group.”

Margaret had chosen to study art because she thought she was the real daughter of the Stewart family. She never had to worry about her future. But now, things were different. She wasn’t Jasper and Julia’s biological daughter. Every month, she burned through hundreds of thousands in allowance from Julia, never able to save a dime. If she had to rely on her paintings to make a living, she’d starve to death.

If she wanted to secure more of the Stewart family’s assets, she had to get into the Stewart Group.

“Dad, I’m smart. I don’t need to do art anymore. Look, you need investment, and Summer is acting all high and mighty, refusing to ask Trevor for help. What’s going to happen to your big global project then?”

Margaret paused for a second before flashing a sly smile. “I know someone from Graham Group—Mr. Graham. I can help you!”

Jasper’s eyes widened in shock. “You know Mr. Graham? The Mr. Graham—Havenbrook’s boss? The richest man in the city?”

Summer also turned to look at Margaret. Fraser and Margaret knew each other?

Margaret felt a little guilty. She had only seen Fraser from a distance at a high-society event once. He had been surrounded by people, and when she tried to approach, his security stopped her. But she was friends with Xylia Jackson, one of Fraser’s assistants. If she asked Xylia to set up a meeting, it should be easy enough. And once she got the chance, she would use her beauty to win Fraser over. Then securing the investment would be simple.

She stiffly forced a smile. “Of course. We’ve even had dinner together.”

Jasper’s expression turned excited. “Margaret, if you really know Mr. Graham, why didn’t you say so earlier? A man of his status—you should’ve introduced me to him!”

Margaret flipped her hair casually. “Dad, do you think Fraser is someone you can just meet whenever you want? His time is precious. I was lucky to have a chance to dine with him.”

Graham Group had over a hundred years of foundation, even more powerful than the Larson family. Their assets exceeded tens of billions. And Fraser was their sole heir. That was why he held the title of Havenbrook’s boss.

Jasper glanced at Summer. She kept talking about breaking up with Trevor. Would she actually end things? He wasn’t sure.

Then, even without the Larson family’s help, Stewart Group would be just fine. Forget just his global expansion project. If he played his cards right, he could push the Stewart family even higher.

Jasper’s face finally relaxed. “Alright then. Summer and Margaret—you two will compete. Whoever brings in the investment gets 10% of Stewart Group’s shares.”

Summer glanced at Margaret, who was standing beside her, dressed to impress. “You really know Fraser?”

Margaret crossed her arms, her Hermes Birkin bag swinging from her elbow as she let out a haughty snort. “What, you don’t believe me? You have Trevor, but I can’t have Fraser?” She smirked. “Listen up, Summer. I’m going to be Fraser’s woman. Twenty years ago, you were beneath me. And twenty years later, you’ll still be my loser.”

Suddenly, as if remembering something, Margaret burst into laughter. “How was last night? Getting dumped again? Watching Peyton win? You’re once again the laughingstock of the entire city. If I were you, I’d be too ashamed to even step outside.”

Summer’s eyes turned cold. Her gaze sharpened. “You invited Peyton to the banquet last night.”

Margaret smirked. “That’s right. Aren’t I so kind? I helped you see the truth—your beloved Trevor only has eyes for Peyton.”

Summer’s lips curled in a mocking sneer. She clenched her hands into fists at her sides. “Then tell me was the kidnapping your doing too?”

“Kidnapping?” Margaret scoffed. “Summer, have you lost your mind? Are you seriously trying to use a fake kidnapping to gain sympathy from Dad and Mom? Don’t waste your time. Even if you really were kidnapped, they wouldn’t care.”

Summer studied Margaret’s arrogant expression. It didn’t look like she was lying. Margaret cared too much about being the Stewart family’s daughter. She was obsessed with monopolizing Jasper and Julia’s love. If she had set up the kidnapping, it would mean she was risking her status. That didn’t seem like something she would do.

Suddenly, with a chime, the elevator doors slid open. A few employees walked out. Seeing Summer and Margaret standing at the entrance—one calm, the other radiating hostility—they quickly averted their gazes and hurried past. Nobody wanted to get caught in the crossfire.

Summer lowered her lashes slightly and shifted her arm just so. One of the male employees was holding a steaming cup of coffee. With Summer’s subtle movement, his arm was nudged forward. The hot coffee splashed out—spilling directly onto Margaret.

Margaret had worn a bright pink Chanel suit today. Now, a large brown stain spread across the fabric like an ugly ink blot. Margaret shrieked, frantically grabbing tissues to clean it off. “Are you blind? Do you know who I am? Spilling coffee on me—do you want to be fired?”

The male employee paled. He had no idea what had just happened. He stammered, “I—I’m so sorry, Ms. Margaret. It was an accident.”

Summer chuckled. “It’s not that he wasn’t watching where he was going—it’s that he simply couldn’t see certain creatures. Alright, you can go now.”

The man hesitated, then bolted as fast as he could. Now, it was just the two of them again.

Margaret clenched her jaw. “You did that on purpose!”

Summer’s lips curled slightly. “Which eye of yours saw that? Lewis just had an accident. You shouldn’t be so petty. This is Stewart Group, not your house. Dad wouldn’t like it if you made a scene.”

Margaret was furious. Looking down at her ruined outfit, the humiliation of last night flashed through her mind. Rage boiled over. She lifted her hand, ready to slap Summer across the face. But just as her arm swung up, Summer caught her wrist midair. Without hesitation, she yanked Margaret forward, dragging her straight toward the stairwell. Margaret shrieked, struggling. “Ah! What are you doing? Summer, let go of me!”

Summer ignored her and didn’t stop until they reached the stairwell. Then, she shoved Margaret away. Margaret stumbled backward, slamming into the wall with a painful thud. She clutched her chest. “What do you think you’re doing? You b*tch! Summer, this is Stewart Group! If you touch me, I’ll tell Mom and Dad!”

Summer laughed coldly. “Oh, I don’t plan on doing anything. I just think your mouth is filthy. That coffee only cleaned your clothes. Your mouth needs a wash too.”

She glanced at the trash can nearby. Inside was a cup of expired milk tea, half-full and already curdling. Summer’s lips curled into a wicked smirk. Margaret wasn’t expecting it at all. Summer grabbed the cup and flung it at her. The sour, rotting liquid splattered all over Margaret’s perfectly styled hair, her makeup, her jewelry—soaking her completely.

A sharp, car-piercing scream shattered the silence of the office floor. Margaret stood there, dripping, her once-pristine suit stained, her hair reeking of spoiled milk. Summer shot her a bored glance, wiped her hands off, and walked away without a care. Margaret’s eyes turned red with rage. With a furious howl, she lunged forward—ready to kill her.