Chapter 15

I didn't want to sign the contract, out of consideration for Dad. I didn't want to see the company he had built with so much effort gradually ruined by Raquelle.

“We need to talk,” I said calmly, looking at him.

“What do you want to talk about? What makes you think you have the right to talk to him?” Raquelle shot a dark look, angrily silencing me.

“It’s fine. I want to hear what he says,” Vernon said, looking at me with amusement. He nodded and followed me out, casting a reassuring glance back at her before leaving.

Once we arrived on the upper floor of the company, I turned to him and spoke in a measured tone. “If you truly care for Raquelle, you shouldn’t pursue this collaboration.”

“Why not?” Vernon crossed his arms, clearly finding my statement ridiculous. “Who are you to dictate my choices? You’re just the Smith family’s lapdog. Since when did you get to make decisions for the Smith Group?”

“Raquelle likes me and is willing to offer me collaboration and profit. She’s the real heiress of the Smith family. You, on the other hand, are just an adopted pet. How dare you meddle in my…”

I looked at him calmly and replied, “If you run out of money, you could easily charm her into happily spending it as you please. As for this collaboration, even if I signed it, my father wouldn’t agree.”

His confident expression instantly shifted to one of tension. He glared at me with a dark face and asked angrily, “Are you threatening me?”

I smiled and shook my head. “Don’t get me wrong. I’m just stating the facts.”

Dad was very busy, often attending various gatherings and business trips. I didn’t want to disturb him over something trivial.

At that moment, Raquelle burst onto the scene from who-knows-where. Without a word, she raised her hand and slapped me hard across the face.

The impact left my ears ringing, and a wave of dizziness washed over me.

Taking a deep breath, I looked at her calmly and said in a low voice, “Ms. Smith, you don’t need to lose your temper with me. I’m only stating the truth. Even if Dad were here, I would say the…”

“Shut up!” She glared at me coldly and replied disgustingly, “What right do you have to mention him? He’s my father, not yours! You’re just the Smith family’s lapdog; your only value is the blood running through your veins!”

Vernon stood smugly behind Raquelle, seeming to find a sense of security in her presence. He looked at me arrogantly, as if to say, “It doesn’t matter if you don’t sign the contract. I still have Raquelle backing me.”

I took a deep breath and shook my head lightly. “Your threats won’t work on me. Offering a 35 percent discount is unprecedented in the company. If Mr. Smith finds out, he will definitely hold you accountable.”

I couldn’t do anything that would betray Dad or ruin his hard work. This was the last thing I could do for him before I left.

“Shut up!” Raquelle pointed a finger at my nose and cursed me fiercely. “If you dare to tell Dad, I’ll make a call and have you kicked out of the Smith family. By then, you’ll be unable to…”