Chapter 7
“The Gilbert Group has officially been acquired by Rosewood Financial.””
At the press conference, I sat in the chair that once belonged to Errol, watching the stunned reporters below.
“Ms. Hayward, what was the acquisition price?”
“One hundred million,” I replied with a smile. “To be precise, one hundred million and one dollar.“‘
A gasp rippled through the crowd.
Last year, the valuation of the Gilbert Group. was fifty billion. Now, it barely reached a hundred million.
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Chapter 7
+ 5 Points
The most ironic part? That extra dollar was something I deliberately added.
Just like the living allowance he gave me back then–down to the last cent.
“Ms. Hayward, we’ve heard that Errol is now working as a junior staff member at a securities firm?”
“Yes, I took a sip of water. “At Rosewood Financial, we believe in giving everyone a chance.”
“Even…” I paused for emphasis, “those who once humiliated others for only being able to cook and buy groceries for their families at home?”
The reporters chuckled.
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+ 5 Points
Everyone knew that Errol’s salary now was less than what his ex–wife used to spend on groceries.
“Dad, look!” Derry tugged at Errol’s sleeve as they passed by a newsstand. “Financial Weekly!”
On the cover, I sat at a desk with the headline: *“She, the Phoenix Reborn: From Stay–at–Home Wife to Financial Queen.“*
Errol’s face instantly flushed crimson.
“Let’s go, he yanked his son away.
“But…” Derry struggled, “I want to buy it…”
“Not a chance!” Errol growled, “Did you forget about the basketball class incident?”
Derry fell silent.
3/9
Chapter 7
+ 5 Points
Last week, he had begged Errol to pay for basketball classes, only to be scolded: “You think you’re still at St. George’s School? Right now, we’re just lucky if we can put food on the table!”
“Let’s go!” Errol turned on his heel, not looking back.
Derry glanced over his shoulder, spotting the television in the nearby convenience store broadcasting the news.
It was the press conference for my acquisition of the Gilbert Group.
“The bag…” He stared blankly at the limited–edition Hermes sitting beside me. “Is this the one Mom always wanted?”
“Ping-” My phone notification went off.
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Chapter 7
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I opened my social feed and saw Mr. Davis‘ latest update.
It was a live–stream accident.
Barbara stood in the streaming room, heavily made–up: “This blemish cream really works wonders, I’ve been using it myself…”
“Barbie, are you sure you’ve even used it?” someone typed in the comments, “Just last week you were saying you never had blemishes!”
“Uh…” Barbara faltered.
“Fake! Liar!” The comments exploded across the screen.
“Mr. Davis‘ new toy isn’t all that.”
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Chapter 7
+ 5 Points
“Heard Mr. Davis is eyeing another female streamer.”
“Please, which sugar daddy would tolerate a lover whose live–stream bombed?”
In the comment section, Mr. Davis left a like.
“Ms. Hayward, here’s the latest quarterly report,” my secretary walked in, “Profits have increased by 30% since last quarter.”
I flipped open the document and saw Errol’s work summary on the first page.
The handwriting was crooked, with coffee, stains on it.
It reminded me of how he once mocked my coffee as ‘low–class.
Now, he couldn’t even afford Starbucks,
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+ 5 Points
settling for instant coffee.
“By the way,” the secretary suddenly recalled, “Barbara had someone drop off her resume she wants to join our company.”
I chuckled softly. “So the live–streaming business failed, and now she wants to crawl back into finance?”
“Should we reject her?”
I glanced outside.
The sun was perfect.
“Arrange for her to come in for an interview tomorrow.” I closed the file. “I’ll handle it personally!”
My assistant froze. “Are you sure?”
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“Don’t worry.” I stood up and straightened my suit. “I just want to show her that the finance world isn’t some place she can waltz into or walk out of on a whim.”
And it’s certainly not a place where she can climb the ladder by clinging to a man.
“Ms. Hayward…” The secretary hesitated.
“What is it?”
“The front desk just said, Errol and his son have been pacing around downstairs all morning.”
“Oh?” I walked over to the window.
Below, Errol was trying to pull Derry away.
But the boy kept looking back, his eyes fixed on the building with the “Rosewood
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Financial” sign.
I turned my gaze back to the desk, to the copy of Financial Weekly.
The woman on the cover was no longer the humble housewife.
“This time…” I murmured. “It’s your turn to look up and see me.”
9/9
