Chapter 68 A Shocking Request
Chapter Sixty-Nine
Madam Graves blinked in surprise as she turned to face Aria, a mild smile on her face.
“Really?” She asked, blinking in curiosity, “Well then, what is it my dear?”
Aria proceeded to hook an arm in Madam Graves arm as she leaned in affectionately, “Well, remember when you asked me to make Lucian walk again? And the promise you made to me back then?”
Madam Graves shook her head slowly, “No, I do not, dear.” She answered sincerely, “But if there’s anything that you do want, just name it. After all, you did make Lucian walk again.”
Aria shook her head, intent on reminding Madam Graves of her promise, “You told me, you if I made Lucian walk within two weeks, you would give me the entire Graves Empire.”
Madam Graves smile faltered as her eyes widened in disbelief, “I…I did?”
But the Chairman and Lucian were not as alarmed as Madam Graves was.
The Chairman obviously thought that Aria was joking as he chuckled silently, shaking his head in what he thought was Aria’s cute behavior.
Aria nodded innocently, “Yes Mother, you did,” she uttered, “And since I held up my end of the deal, how about I get my reward now?”
At this, the Chairman threw back his head and laughed, while Madam Graves relaxed and patted Aria’s arm affectionately.
“My dear, you’ve done well,” she uttered kindly, “but when I made that promise, you know I wasn’t talking about handing over the reins of the Graves Empire, right?”
Aria blinked.
“You weren’t?” She asked in surprised “Then why did you make me such a promise?”
“Uh…” Madam Graves was speechless at the direct question.
She did not know what to say anymore, especially when Lucian also turned to them and asked coldly, “Why did you make a promise that you cannot fulfill?”
“Well, Aria dear, you can’t have the entire Graves Empire.” The Chioma stepped in, “It’s Lucian’s heritage, and I think the Madam meant, that whatever the Graves family owns, you also own.”
“Huh.” Aria uttered, her brows drawn in a thoughtful frowns. She had not expected to be handed the empire on a silver platter just like that but she had not wanted such vague promises either.
At this rate, she was sure Madam Graves was just going to give her a black card and tell her to get whatever she wants with it.
But she wanted to be involved in decisions that moved and shaped the empire. She wanted to be among the top dog.
That’s the only way she would be able to go against Kurt Eugene and Vera Hale.
Lucian, seeing her miffed expression, inhaled deeply. “That’s rather a vague reward, isn’t it?” He said to his parents, “How about some properties or some shares in her name? She is a member of the family now and my wife. I think that is fitting for her:”
Aria beamed as her cheeks warmed over with Lucian’s support.
Yes, some shares in her name and some properties would definitely go a long way. That’s exactly what she was talking about.
The Chairman nodded thoughtfully, “That’s right. We should give her some shares in the Empire. About eight percent. And for the properties…” he trailed off for a minute, “Right, how about the resort in the City of Fressia? I think that should be enough, don’t you, Aria?”
Aria beamed and nodded.
Although, those were nothing compared to what she owned in her previous life, it was still something to hold on to.
In her previous life, she had literally owned like half the buildings in the City of Fressia, which was a booming industrial and residential hub.
They raked in millions every year, and her investment in them were never wasted.
The fact that those properties were now owned by Kurt Eugene made her smile fade away slowly, and a dark gleam crept into her gaze.
Madam Graves looked at her, surprised at the sudden change, as Aria was literally clenching her dress.
“You don’t like the gifts, Aria?” She asked in a concerned voice, “Well, if there’s something more you need, why not let us know about it?”
Aria realized that Madam Graves was speaking to her and she blinked in surprise.
She looked at them, taking note of their concerned expressions and she felt a twinge of guilt.
Hell, she practically looked ungrateful and she had not intended it to be so.
She was about to shake her head in reply when a thought struck her and she nodded instead.
Sighing, she put on her best pleading look and said, “Those gifts are perfect, Chairman. Madam Graves. But then, there’s something more I would like to ask for if it’s not too much…”
Her voice trailed off as though she was uncertain. She lowered her eyes and bit her lips as though the words she was going to say were a bit heavy.
Lucian tilted her chin up to look at them, “What do you want?” He asked softly, “Just name it, and it will be given to you.”
“As long as it’s not the whole Graves Empire,” the Chairman uttered, laughing nervously.
Aria smiled, “Nervous, are we?” She thought to herself but then she became serious in the next minute.
“I want to work,” she uttered finally, looking at them all fully in the face, “I want work for the Graves Empire.”
The Chairman and Madam Graves looked at each other in surprise but Lucian remained calm, “That’s all?” He asked softly.
“But, Aria dear…” Madam Graves interjected, “How can you work? You do not have the qualifications that are needed to work in the corporate space now, do you?”
Aria shook her head softly, “Yea, I might not have all those,” she answered, “But I’m quick and illustrious. And I also learn quickly. You will be amazed at how quickly I will learn the ropes, with just my abilities.”
‘As well as my degrees in Business Management.’
This thought flashed through her mind as well but she made sure to not voice it out.
If she had, it would be strange.
Aria Beaumont was not educated enough to work in the corporate space but not Elara Vaughn.
With her degrees and prowess in the business world, she was sure she would make a name for herself in the Graves Empire within a very short time.
The Chairman cleared his throat, “Well, I guess we can arrange something for you in one of the subsidiaries…”
“No. No father,” Aria uttered firmly, “I do not want a position in any of the subsidiaries,” she looked them squarely in the face, “I want to work in the headquarters.”