Victoria was summoned home by a phone call from her parents.
"Dad, Mom."
The dining table was already set with food.
"You're back," her father, John Windsor, gestured to a chair. "Sit down. We need to talk."
Mr. and Mrs. Windsor sat across from Victoria as they began their meal. John, typically stern-faced, wasn't exactly unhappy, but his serious demeanor was just his nature. However, today he surprised Victoria by picking up some food with his chopsticks and placing it in her bowl.
Victoria felt a warmth in her chest. "Thank you, Dad."
John gave a faint smile. "I heard Edward caused trouble at your company today? Messed up a deal?"
Victoria nodded. "Actually, he helped me."
"Oh? How so?"
"David Spencer was a fraud. He bribed one of my vice presidents responsible for document verification and tampered with the project materials. Edward somehow found out about this and confronted him."
John chuckled lightly. "David Spencer—that project was worth over two billion, wasn't it? That was close! Right now, Windsor Family can't afford to let two billion in cash get stuck. It would be a fatal blow. This cash must generate profits, or we might never recover."
"I'm sorry. It was my oversight in personnel management." Victoria lowered her head slightly.
John waved it off. "I'm not blaming you. But if you couldn't see through this project, how did Edward figure it out?"
"I don't know," Victoria replied. "He seems careless on the surface, but he's actually very sharp. Sometimes his methods are questionable, but his results aren't surprising."
John nodded in agreement. "That Astor boy—he's quite a character. If he can stabilize himself in the future, he'll be a force to reckon with."
John continued, "The engagement is set for the tenth of next month. Be prepared."
Victoria remained silent.
Mrs. Windsor quickly added more food to John's bowl, trying to ease the tension.
John was the chairman of the board. While he had handed over the role of CEO to Victoria, the majority of Chifeng Group's shares were still under his control. This was the common structure among powerful families. At the company, Victoria held the highest authority, but at home, John was still the patriarch.
Mrs. Windsor knew how resistant Victoria was to this arranged marriage. Both father and daughter had fiery tempers and stubborn personalities, and they had argued over this countless times. She feared another conflict would erupt.
John spoke again, his tone heavy. "Don't blame me for being heartless. The Windsor family is on the edge of survival. You've done well these past few years, but we still haven't managed a significant turnaround. The company's structural problems run deep, and you've worked hard."
"It's not hard work. I'm confident I can lead Chifeng back to its peak."
"I believe you," John said. "But the support from the Astor family is indispensable. If you become the wife of the Astor family heir, everything will change. The obstacles you face will be easier to overcome, and financial crises won't be an immediate threat."
Victoria put down her chopsticks. Mrs. Windsor immediately tensed up.
"I will not marry Edward."
Fine, there it was.
Mrs. Windsor anxiously glanced at John.
John set his utensils down as well, his face darkening. "How many times have I taught you? Those who achieve great things don't fuss over minor details. You are my daughter, the CEO of Chifeng Group! You're not some low-level office clerk. Do you think you can meet someone at a casual gathering—some boy in sweatpants who likes skateboarding and rock music—and marry for 'love'?"
"Your marriage concerns the survival of our business, the prosperity of our family, and the livelihoods of thousands of people who depend on us. One right choice can achieve more than thirty years of hard work. Do you not understand that?"
Victoria's face was emotionless. "You misunderstand. This time, it's not me refusing—it's Edward."
Both John and Mrs. Windsor froze.
Mrs. Windsor blurted out, "He refused? Why? He's been chasing you for three years! What did you do? Did he find out you have someone else?"
"No."
"Then why? He likes you so much—why would he refuse?"
"I don't know."
John's voice rose. "Did you offend him on purpose? Are you using this as an excuse?"
"Father, is that my style?"
John paused. True, his daughter wasn't the type to play petty tricks. In major decisions, she was always clear-headed and strategic, not manipulative.
"Then what happened?"
Victoria said flatly, "I told you, I don't know. He seems to hate me now."
"Hate?"
"Yes." Victoria felt wronged but suppressed her emotions. "He acts like he can't wait to get as far away from me as possible, as if he never wants to see me again."
Mrs. Windsor was flustered. "How could…how could it come to this?"
John frowned deeply. "I sensed something was off with that boy when I was at the Astor family estate the other day."
After a moment of silence, John said, "I'll investigate this. Meanwhile, you should reach out to him. Be softer, show some warmth. Women need to have a bit of gentleness. He still has feelings for you; it won't be hard to win him back."
Victoria shook her head. "It won't be that simple. Regardless of whether the Astor family supports us or not, I will lead Chifeng back to its peak. Please don't worry about it."
She stood up.
"I'm full. Enjoy your meal."
John watched his daughter leave, suppressing his anger. "If you and Edward don't get engaged by the tenth of next month, I will convene the board and appoint a new CEO. You can choose—freedom or your career."
Victoria stood at the doorway for a moment, said nothing, and then walked out.
................................
Edward found out through a phone call that while he was locked up, Elizabeth had already managed to stabilize Sophia's mother's condition. When Sophia heard that Edward was in jail, she immediately wanted to bring a lawyer to bail him out, but Elizabeth stopped her.
Now Edward was free, but the cost was a staggering loss—over 17 billion. And it was Elizabeth, that devil, who had trapped him.
Sitting across from Elizabeth in a sleek business café, Edward's mood was foul. Anyone, even the richest person in the world, would be furious after being scammed out of such an astronomical sum. Edward wasn't the world's richest man, and losing over 17 billion could nearly cripple the Astor family.
The Astor family's total assets barely exceeded 200 billion, and such a loss, while not catastrophic, was still a massive blow. Fortunately, it wasn't cash that had been lost. If 17 billion in cash had vanished, the Astor family's liquidity might have collapsed entirely. Instead, it was just shares of a pharmaceutical factory—still a painful but manageable loss.
Elizabeth sat casually across from Edward, looking nothing like the successor of a prestigious family. Victoria always dressed in sharp business attire or elegant evening gowns, exuding confidence and poise. Catherine leaned more traditional, often wearing long dresses with a refined touch, though she, too, favored professional fashion.
Elizabeth, however, was an entirely different story.
She rarely involved herself in business affairs, preferring to travel, take photos, and enjoy life. Her wardrobe reflected her free spirit. Yesterday, she had visited the White family in a schoolgirl outfit, and today she wore a soft pink dress.
Her hair was tied into two playful ponytails, a lollipop between her lips. The pastel pink princess dress gave her an air of innocence and charm, while her knee-high socks and brown loafers added a touch of youthful playfulness. Right now, she was smugly staring at Edward.
"Sign it, Mr. Moneybags."
Edward pulled the contract over and carefully read it from start to finish. Then, with a bitter smile, he said, "When the media asks you about your most successful business deal, you'd better remember this one."
"Hmph."
Elizabeth watched him intently, smirking as if daring him to back out.
But Edward simply nodded. "No problem."
Picking up the pen, he swiftly signed his name, added his fingerprint, and handed the document back to Elizabeth.
Elizabeth was stunned. She had watched every movement carefully—Edward hadn't pulled any tricks. The signature and fingerprint were both genuine.
She didn't take the contract immediately. Instead, she stared at Edward, her expression frozen in shock.
[Was this a joke? Was he insane? Did he really just transfer over 17 billion worth of shares to me because of a simple verbal agreement?
Even the richest people in the world wouldn't make such a reckless decision!
Was he a lunatic, a fool, or just plain stupid?
If he had simply brushed me off and claimed it was all a joke, there was nothing I could have done about it. Wasn't he supposed to be good at this kind of maneuvering? ]
Edward noticed her stunned silence and tilted his head.
[ [ What's wrong with her? Why isn't she moving? ] ]
"Hey? Hey hey?" Edward waved the contract slightly. "Look at the paper, not me."
Elizabeth frowned and took the contract, her bright and playful demeanor replaced with a serious, almost intimidating expression. Her delicate face was now clouded with confusion.
She glanced at the signed sections—everything was legitimate.
If she held onto this document, she would walk away with a net profit of over 17 billion.
And that was just the start. Owning full control of the Ninth Pharmaceutical Factory would bring unimaginable long-term gains.
"Why?"
Edward casually wiped the red ink off his thumb with a wet tissue. "Why what?"
"This contract." Elizabeth's voice was sharp. "Why did you sign it?"
"If I didn't sign, wouldn't you call me a liar who doesn't keep his word?"
Elizabeth stared at him, trying to read his expression, searching for some clue or hidden agenda.
But Edward's face was calm and carefree.
Seeing his relaxed demeanor, Elizabeth finally snapped.
"Edward! What game are you playing? Tell me!"
Edward flinched at her sudden outburst and blinked at her. "Uh… why are you mad? Didn't you just make 17 billion?"