Chapter 51 Viewing the Photinia Flowers?
Selena's POV
My phone screen lit up with Royce Sterling's name.
Behind the screen was that damn email from Myrdal, dangling a hundred million dollars in front of me.
One was the asshole I had to deal with right now, the other was the trash I thought I'd dumped long ago.
Like they'd planned it together, they showed up one after another at my worst moment.
I took a deep breath and swiped to answer.
I wanted to see what this lunatic who just transferred me a hundred and forty-five million dollars wanted now.
"Did you get the money?"
His voice came through the phone, calm and certain, as if he hadn't just transferred a fortune but sent some meaningless fax.
"I got it." My voice was even colder than his. "Mr. Sterling is very generous. But I'm guessing this call isn't to confirm the payment went through?"
"Of course not." He seemed to chuckle softly. "I already received the bank's confirmation before I called you."
Control freak.
"I'm calling to let you know that tomorrow at ten a.m., my plane will be waiting for you at the airport."
I frowned. "Waiting for me for what?"
"To go to Scotland." He said it like it was obvious. "My grandmother has a castle and hunting grounds there. She says the heather is blooming and wants you to come see it."
His grandmother again. Did he think that just by bringing up that old lady, I'd obediently do whatever he wanted?
Go to Scotland? Look at heather? What did he take me for? Someone who'd keep him company for entertainment just because I took his money?
"I don't have time." I refused directly.
Silence on the other end for two seconds. I could imagine his expression right now—that handsome face with his brow furrowed again.
"You took my money, Selena. According to the contract, during the project period, your time belongs to me."
"The contract says I'm responsible for overseeing the production of 'Margaret's Will,' not accompanying you on vacation." I corrected him word by word. "If you have requirements about where I do my oversight work, fine—move your craftsmen and workshop to Scotland. Otherwise, I'll be in my studio, fulfilling my contract."
"You..."
"Also," I interrupted him, "I have something much more important to do tomorrow. Ten thousand times more important than looking at your damn heather with you."
With that, I hung up directly.
I tossed my phone on the couch, feeling the fire the Katesons had lit in my chest burning even hotter.
I stared at that email from Myrdal.
A hundred million.
Just enough to fill half the hole that was stolen from me.
Pride? In the face of a two hundred million dollar loss, pride meant nothing.
I needed money, needed massive cash flow. And Myrdal—he was the idiot volunteering to hand me ammunition.
I grabbed my laptop, my fingers flying across the keyboard.
[Mr. Carter:
Commission received.
Quote accepted. Advance payment must be transferred to the Astraea Foundation's designated account within one hour.
Regarding the design theme, I will have full authority to decide. Before the final design draft is complete, I refuse any form of communication or interference.
Additionally, we do not provide after-sales service, nor do we accept any refund requests.
Wishing your mother a happy birthday.
Astraea]
No pleasantries, no greetings, just cold terms. I wanted him to understand this was a transaction, nothing more.
Click send.
"Selena?"
I looked up. My parents stood at the study door, their faces full of worry. They must have heard me on the phone just now.
"Sweetheart, what's wrong?" My mother quickly walked to my side, sat down next to me, and held my cold hands.
I looked at them and suddenly felt very tired, but I didn't want to pretend to be strong anymore and tell them "I'm fine."
I leaned into my mother's warm embrace, feeling most of my anger heal.
"About your engagement to Royce Sterling..." My father was silent for a moment before speaking again. "Your mother and I talked it over. We think we can hold off on announcing the engagement for now."
I lifted my head from my mother's embrace, looking at him with some surprise.
"We can see you're not happy." My father's eyes were full of sympathy. "That boy Royce is too domineering. We don't want you to suffer. The Hart family doesn't need to consolidate its position through marriage. We can announce to the public that our two families have an important business partnership. As for the engagement, we'll wait until you young people spend more time together and develop feelings for each other."
They were finding me an exit.
They were telling me I could call it off anytime.
"I understand." I nodded. "Not making it public for now is fine."
This suited me perfectly. I needed time, needed space to deal with my own mess. I didn't want to be distracted dealing with a control freak named Sterling while going to war with the Katesons.
"You don't need to worry about Hart family business either." My father continued. "I've already prepared all the materials for the most promising new energy company under the group. Starting tomorrow, you'll go to work at the company. I'm giving you the CEO position. I'll have your Uncle Jonathan be your deputy."
I was stunned.
CEO?
He wasn't joking with me. His expression was deadly serious.
"The Katesons think you're worthless and can only rely on men? Then use your own abilities to show the whole world what the daughter of the Hart family is really made of." My father's eyes shone with the same light as mine.
I picked up my phone and called Anna again.
"Anna."
"Miss, I'm here."
"Cancel all my personal appointments for the next three months."
"I need all financial statements from Hart Group's new energy company for the past five years, complete information on all competitors, and background files on every member of the core technical team. Send them to my email before midnight tonight."
"Also, notify all board members of the group—emergency meeting tomorrow morning at nine."
I stood up and walked to the huge floor-to-ceiling window, looking out at my estate.
"The meeting topic is—"
"Welcoming your new CEO."