Riley looked at Chairman Hamilton with disdain. "Do you think you're greater than the Savvy family?" she asked icily.
Chairman Hamilton was taken aback, his thoughts racing.
Did I do something wrong without realizing it?
Did the contract offend her?
He wasn't stupid. He knew that offending these people could spell the end of his company. If they decided not to buy his company, they wouldn't just walk away—they'd ensure he went bankrupt. That would mark the end of his family's centuries-old legacy in Starville.
"Is the contract not to your liking?" Chairman Hamilton asked, his voice tinged with anxiety.
Riley's eyes flashed with contempt. "Are you looking down on the Savvy family?" The atmosphere in the room shifted; the air grew stiflingly hot, as if the air conditioning had failed.
"I'm sorry if I've offended you and the Savvy family. Please, let this slide. I will be forever grateful," Chairman Hamilton pleaded, trembling and sweating profusely, as if he were in a furnace. He was on his knees, begging for mercy, driven by the instinctual fear of impending doom.
The members of the Board of Directors were also trembling, unable to meet Riley's gaze. Mitchell and the others gulped, hoping she would calm down soon.
"Phew, Chairman Hamilton," Riley sighed, her anger subsiding. The oppressive heat in the conference room dissipated.
"Yes, Miss Riley," Chairman Hamilton responded, still on his knees.
"Between the Savvy family and you, which is superior?" Riley asked, her gaze piercing.
"Of course, it is the Savvy family, Miss Riley. We cannot be compared to the Savvy family. It's like comparing the universe to a pebble," Chairman Hamilton replied, his voice trembling.
"Then why did you include such conditions in the contract? Do you think we are on the same level as you?" Riley snorted. Chairman Hamilton finally realized his mistake—he had treated the Savvy family as fools and dared to suggest a contract with absurd conditions. He had erred before negotiations even began.
"I'm sorry, Miss Riley. I have underestimated the Savvy family and you all. But please, just this once, let me through," Chairman Hamilton begged, still on his knees.
"Well, it's okay. We didn't come here to cause problems. Let's discuss this and finish it so we can move on to other things," Riley said calmly, though her disdain for Chairman Hamilton was evident. "Well then, take a seat and continue."
Chairman Hamilton stood up, bowed repeatedly, and took a seat. His previous boldness had completely vanished; he dared not act rashly again.
"Mitchell," Riley called, and Mitchell took out a contract from his briefcase, handing it to Chairman Hamilton.
Chairman Hamilton's eyes widened as he read the contract. He passed it to the members of the Board of Directors, who shared his shocked expression.
The contract granted the Savvy family full authority and ownership of Attribute Company, including 100% of all shares held by Chairman Hamilton and the directors. It stipulated that the entire board would step down, leaving the Savvy family in full control. The contract also promised fair and equal treatment for all employees.
Despite his greed, Chairman Hamilton knew better than to make an enemy of the Savvy family. As the contract made its way back to him, he signed it without a word, followed by the other directors.
Once everyone had signed, Riley took the contract and signed as well, followed by Mitchell, the head of the Savvy family's legal team, and the legal team from Attribute Company. With that, the ownership transfer was complete.
"Eleanor Hamilton, all eight hundred billion dollars have been successfully transferred to your account. How you distribute it regarding your shares is not up to us," Riley announced.
Chairman Hamilton looked bewildered. "Miss Riley, I don't understand. I haven't even handed over my account number."
Beep! Beep!
A message came through on Chairman Hamilton's phone. He checked it and was stunned to see a notification from his bank stating that eight hundred billion dollars had been deposited into his account, every cent intact. He looked at Riley, astonished.
How did they know my account number, which I've kept secret even from my family?
Riley remained calm and composed. "So, Eleanor Hamilton, the deal is done, isn't it?" she asked.
Snapping out of his daze, Hamilton replied, "That's right, Miss Riley. Attribute Investment is now officially owned by the Savvy family."
Riley smiled softly and stood up. "We will be back tomorrow for the official handover of the chairman's office and the company. See you then, Eleanor Hamilton." She began walking toward the door, followed by Mitchell and the others.
"Thank you, Miss Riley. We will meet again tomorrow," Hamilton said, bowing. He signaled to the directors, who bowed and saw them out, too dazed to speak during the entire meeting.
"Thank you, Miss Riley. We will see you tomorrow," they echoed in unison.
Riley and the others left the conference room, ready to return to Carter with the good news and plans for the future.
Outside, onlookers and reporters waited eagerly to catch a glimpse of what was happening inside Attribute Investment Company. As Riley and her team reached the front door, reporters rushed toward them, hoping for a scoop, but Ethan and the other bodyguards kept them at bay.
"Miss, who are you and where did you come from?" one reporter asked, stretching his hand with a microphone toward Riley.
"Are you here for Attribute Company?" another reporter chimed in, followed by a barrage of questions.
Riley and her team had no intention of attracting attention. She turned to Butler Joshua and whispered something. Joshua then stepped in front of the reporters.
"We are from the Savvy family. That's all we can disclose. Please wait for an official statement from Attribute Company," Joshua said, his warm voice and confident demeanor leaving the reporters dazed. He then opened the door of a Rolls-Royce Phantom for Riley, who entered, and then Butler Joshua took the driver's seat.
As the convoy drove away, the Savvy family left the vicinity of Attribute Investment Company, their presence still lingering in the minds of everyone who had witnessed the scene.