Chapter 264

Chapter 264

"It's nothing major," Valencia squeezed through the door and sat down on Lucinda's sofa, patting the space beside her. "Just wanted to discuss something with you."

Lucinda sat across from them and waited.

Valencia cleared her throat and glanced at Wesley.

Wesley coughed and looked away, signaling her to continue.

"It's like this," Valencia began carefully. "Your older brother is handling things overseas. You know the Douglas family's presence there has been expanding rapidly the past two years—he can't step away. But here at home, the business can't run without oversight."

She paused, watching Lucinda cautiously. "We've talked it over, and given how capable you are—how well you've managed Ridgeway Tech—we thought you could help keep an eye on the domestic operations too?"

Wesley nodded earnestly, his expression serious. "We've decided to transfer all of the Douglas Group's domestic shares, assets, and subsidiaries to your name. From now on, you'll be the sole authority over the Douglas Group."

Lucinda's hand froze mid-sip.

Hand everything over to her?

Manuel goes overseas, and they just... lay out the entire domestic billion-dollar empire without reservation?

"Dad, Mom, that's not appropriate." Lucinda's brow furrowed. Her refusal was almost reflexive. "The family has already given me more than enough. My current assets far exceed what I should have."

"What do you mean 'should have'?" Wesley couldn't help but interject, his voice more urgent than usual. "You're our daughter. The Douglas family's assets belong to you by right..."

"Dad." Lucinda cut him off, her tone firm. "I can't accept any more."

The room went quiet for a few seconds.

Valencia and Wesley exchanged glances, both wearing expressions that said, Knew she'd refuse.

Lucinda stood, picking up her phone from the table. "I need to head to the company. Still have a document to review."

After she left, Valencia watched her figure disappear down the hallway, then turned back to Wesley in a low voice. "See? I told you. That girl's stubborn. We can't force it."

Wesley frowned. "Then what do we do? We can't just let her work herself blind her whole life without knowing what's hers."

Valencia tapped her chin, her eyes slowly curving into crescents. "There's a way... trust me."

Six o'clock that evening, Lucinda finished handling matters at Ridgeway Tech and returned to the Douglas Estate. Before she even entered, she saw a maid standing at the door, face pale.

"Miss! Thank goodness you're back!" The maid was drenched in anxious sweat. "Something terrible happened! Mr. and Mrs. Douglas suddenly collapsed this afternoon. They're lying in bed right now. The doctor came by and said... said they've overworked themselves. They might not make it!"

Might not make it?

Lucinda's expression changed instantly.

The temperature around her dropped. She didn't even bother setting down her bag and shoved open the master bedroom door.

Inside, the curtains were drawn tight.

The light was dim, the air stifling.

On the large bed, Wesley and Valencia lay side by side.

Their faces, in the dim lighting, did indeed look unnaturally pale.

Wesley's brow was tightly furrowed. Valencia's eyes were weakly closed, letting out faint, pitiful groans now and then.

"Dad! Mom!" Lucinda rushed to the bedside.

Her eyes were full of worry. Without thinking, she reached out to check Wesley's pulse.

One touch, and any ailment would reveal itself.

But just as her fingertips were about to make contact—

Wesley, as if sensing her intention, yanked his wrist back under the covers with startling agility.

While secretly burying his hand deeper into the blankets, Wesley clutched his chest and began coughing violently.

He held his breath so hard his face turned red, his voice trembling unnaturally.

"Cindy... don't trouble yourself. This is a heart condition, an old problem... The doctor said it's distress affecting my qi and blood. I need rest. Absolutely cannot worry about company matters anymore."

Beside him, Valencia weakly opened her eyes.

She dabbed at the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief—where no tears existed—and chimed in feebly. "That's right... Cindy. Look at your father and me. We're getting on in years. Your brother's overseas. Right now, the Douglas Group is just an empty shell with no one at the helm... If no one takes charge, the Douglas Group will go bankrupt. Your father and I... might not see tomorrow's sunrise..."

As she spoke, Valencia rolled her eyes back theatrically, looking ready to faint at any moment.

Lucinda stood by the bed, slowly lowering her outstretched hand.

Her beautiful eyes narrowed slightly.

Wesley's dodging move just now? Fast enough to rival a national athlete.

And though both their faces were powdered deathly pale, their breathing was steady and deep, their temples full—clear signs of excellent health.

Not to mention Valencia's terrible acting.

A crying scene without a single tear. The handkerchief was covered in foundation instead.

This wasn't illness.

This was clearly a performance—an elaborate guilt trip orchestrated by two mischievous elders trying to force her to inherit the family business!

Lucinda found it almost amusing. She crossed her arms and watched her parents continue their vigorous performance.

"Oh? That serious?" Her red lips curved, her cool voice laced with amusement. "If the Douglas Group is about to go bankrupt, why not just file for bankruptcy liquidation? As for Dad and Mom's health... I happen to have some newly developed treatment tools with me. They might hurt a little, but if used correctly, they guarantee a full recovery."

As she spoke, Lucinda made a show of reaching into her bag.

At the words might hurt a little, Wesley's eyelid twitched violently.

Valencia nearly bolted upright in bed.

But for the sake of their plan, Valencia gritted her teeth and held on.

She grabbed Lucinda's sleeve, sobbing dramatically. "No! Cindy! That won't be necessary! My only wish before I die is to see you sitting in the Douglas Group CEO's office! If you agree to take over the company, I can die with no regrets!"

So committed to the act, Valencia coughed while frantically winking at Wesley.

Wesley quickly clutched his chest. "Yes, yes! Cindy, just consider it our final wish!"

He coughed so hard that he lost control and choked on his own saliva.

Instantly, the entire bedroom fell deathly silent.

The air seemed to freeze solid.

Wesley went rigid.

Valencia's crying cut off abruptly. Her eyes went wide as saucers.

Lucinda finally couldn't hold it in anymore. She lowered her head and rubbed her temples.