“Here is five million to leave my son,” Mr. White’s voice fell, and the atmosphere solidified. He lifted his chin slightly, looking arrogantly across at Elisa, waiting for her response.
Elisa was momentarily stunned, seemingly not expecting Mr. White to make such a move. She contemplated the five million dollar check in front of her. With five million, she could buy so much. Elisa raised an eyebrow, “Is this all?”
“What do you mean, ‘Is this all’? Are you finding the amount insufficient? Indeed, you are only after the White family’s fortune…” Mr. White’s expression and tone exuded disdain and contempt, as if he had long seen through this woman.
Brittany, who had been engrossed in her phone the whole time, had been reluctantly dragged here by her father to support the situation. She had originally not wanted to get involved, but upon hearing Mr. White’s “adolescent” remarks, she couldn’t help but sigh and put her phone down. “Dad, you’re being too stingy. At the very least, it should be fifty million.”
Mr. White immediately retorted, “Is your brother worth that much? Five million is already generous enough.” Furthermore, if Elisa firmly agreed to it, wouldn’t he be at a loss with fifty million? He was a businessman and didn’t engage in unprofitable deals.
Struggling to suppress the urge to roll her eyes, Brittany held out five fingers and gestured, “Five million? My brother’s net worth is at least five billion. Besides, what’s the difference between your five million and Elisa’s current value? You are truly embarrassing. If Mom finds out, she won’t even need to kneel on a washboard, she’ll just break your leg.”
As if envisioning that scene, Mr. White shuddered and uncontrollably placed his hands on his knees, trembling visibly. Due to his nervousness, his pupils dilated slightly, giving him an intense stare, as he leaned in to whisper to Brittany, “Isn’t it always five million in those novels? It just sounds better. Brittany, we came here today without telling your mother. Whatever should we do, should we increase the amount on the spot?”
Increase the amount on the spot? Does he think this is a market? Elisa pretended not to notice the whispered conversation between the father and daughter.
“This was just a test, to see how she would respond. Since you’ve already brought out the check, I suppose you know your purpose,” Elisa said calmly.
After the father and daughter finished their discussion, Mr. White looked back at Elisa, while Brittany lowered her head to resume playing with her phone.
Elisa stood up and brought a freshly brewed tea to Mr. White. He remained resolute, “Let me tell you, trying to bribe me with a cup of tea won’t work.”
Truly, he was his birth father; his demeanor and temper were so alike. Elisa smiled, “Uncle, you are overthinking. I have no intention of bribing you. Brittany, would you like a drink? We have soda.”
“Do you have cola?” Brittany asked.
“Yes, we do.” Elisa fetched a can of cola for her.
“Thank you.”
Brittany, as usual, sat quietly on the side, looking very well-behaved. Elisa returned to her seat, neither servile nor overbearing. “Uncle White, let’s talk about the relationship between Louis and me. I am his girlfriend, and he is my boyfriend. Our union is not for any material gain. If you insist on measuring our relationship with money, then…”
Elisa’s gentle expression changed as she picked up the check from the coffee table, filled in a few digits with a pen, and then pushed it towards Mr. White. “If you want me to leave your son for five million, then I offer you nine billion five hundred million in hopes of buying a lifetime with your son, to spend the rest of our lives together.”
Mr. White’s mouth slightly agape, wondering if this woman had gone mad or developed a mental illness. “How absurd! Do you really have that much money? You’re young and bold, speaking so recklessly and senselessly!”
“Perhaps you didn’t investigate thoroughly. Let me reintroduce myself. I’m Elisa, the CEO of A. W Corporation. A mere nine billion is something I can manage.”
“A. W Corporation? You are…” How could Mr. White not know about this company? It had recently had the most significant impact in the business world. First, it effortlessly acquired a company worth over a billion, and its shares had never dropped from the beginning till now. Mr. White had done a valuation, and A. W Corporation was worth about ten billion. Certainly, it could be managed.
Ten billion was not much in Mr. White’seyes, but under Elisa’s name, it was a different story. After all, Elisa was just in her early twenties. What was he doing at her age?
This young lady had boundless prospects.
“Mr. White, are you willing to make this deal?”
“If you really give me that much money, your company won’t be secure.”
“Money can be earned again, but there’s only one Louis in this world, and I won’t let him go. I can use all my possessions to secure my relationship with him.”
Mr. White was momentarily speechless. He had initially thought Elisa was a “money-grubber” as described in novels, but she could create wealth herself and didn’t need to rely on a man.
Brittany, who had been silently watching her phone, was also shocked by Elisa’s words. “Are you really the CEO of A. W Corporation?”
“I have no need to joke and deceive you with such things. With the White family’s capabilities, it would be easy to verify. If you don’t believe me, you can ask Louis.”
The answer was clear. Brittany looked at Mr. White and said, “Dad, let’s go. Both my brother and mom like her. Your resistance is pointless.”
At this point, Mr. White wasn’t resisting; he felt that his scoundrel son had scored big time. Brittany turned to Elisa apologetically, “I’m sorry… my dad, he’s not quite right in the head. He’s been reading novels and watching tacky videos all day, it’s fried his brain. Please don’t mind. I’ll take him home…”
As she spoke, Brittany also remembered to return the check to Elisa. “Keep it. My mom has the final say in the White family. My dad’s words don’t count. My mom really likes you. Please don’t take today to heart. Just focus on being with my brother.”
Before she could finish her sentence, the sound of the door opening came from outside. Elisa looked over, thinking Louis had probably returned.
Sure enough, as Louis entered and saw the people in the living room, he furrowed his brows, “What are you all doing here?” Upon seeing the check on the table, he understood.
Without a word, he took out his phone and dialed Mrs. White’s number.
As the call connected, Louis called out, “Mom.”
Mr. White reacted instantly, rushing to Louis and grabbing his wrist, gritting his teeth, “You brat, what are you doing?”
“I want to ask why you came to my house? To ask my girlfriend to leave while I’m not here?”
“I didn’t. You rascal, what nonsense…”
Louis didn’t care how grim Mr. White’s expression was. With the phone on speaker, everything they said was heard by Mrs. White.
“Get back here!” she exclaimed.
“Wife, let me explain…”
*Beep beep beep…*
Mr. White glared at Louis, too furious to speak.
“Why are you glaring at me? Do you dare to say you didn’t come here with a check to make Elisa leave?” Mr. White released Louis’s hand, pointing at him. “Son, you’re ruthless!”
This family, with Mr. White causing trouble, Louis didn’t want anyone to affect Elisa’s mood. If there was a problem, they would solve it once and for all, with no drag or delay.
“Dad,” Louis suddenly became serious, “Marrying her was decided at first sight for me. From the moment I knew her name, I had even thought of our children’s names.”
He had never wanted someone so much. He couldn’t live without her.
“You love my mom. Do you know what that feels like?” It was impossible for him to live without her.
Mr. White fell silent, his furrowed brows relaxing. He stared intently at Louis, showing a seriousness that had never been seen before.
“I…” Mr. White opened his mouth, but his throat felt as if it were being squeezed. Hesitantly, he turned to look at Elisa.
Elisa stood up and met his gaze, showing no sign of hesitation or retreat.
“Whatever… It’s up to you. I don’t care anymore.” Mr. White never managed to pull a straight face. Once he realized the capital that Elisa held, he knew he had misunderstood her. But he couldn’t bring himself to apologize.
“Brittany, let’s go back,” he said.
Brittany, holding her small bag, took a few steps forward and suddenly remembered something. She took out her phone and ran over to Elisa.
“Elisa, can I take a picture with you?” Before Elisa could respond, Louis hurriedly intervened, “What picture? Let’s go home.”
“No!” Brittany’s eyes were round as she looked at Elisa, her pink lips slightly upturned, eagerly waiting for Elisa’s answer.
Elisa couldn’t refuse. She hadn’t spoken much with Brittany in the past few days. Brittany liked to play on her phone, either sitting on the sofa or lying on her bed all day.
Elisa hadn’t gotten to know this young girl well, but who doesn’t like a pretty sister?
Hearing Brittany’s request for a photo, Elisa agreed, “Sure.”
Brittany was visibly happy; her fair face flushed slightly. She took out her phone, opened the camera, found the right angle, and took a picture with Elisa.
Satisfied, Brittany admired the photo, then contentedly put her phone back in her bag.
Louis went up to her and tugged at Brittany’s collar, pulling her aside, “The photo’s done, let’s go back with dad. Don’t come and disturb our private time in the future.”
“Who cares what you say!” Brittany’s face was full of reluctance. Her previously plain face now showed a hint of reluctance. She pushed Louis’s hand away and rushed towards Elisa, hugging her.
“Elisa.”
Elisa was taken aback by the sudden embrace. She wasn’t used to someone suddenly getting so close and hugging her. She stiffened, unable to react in time, feeling the warmth by her ear.
In a soft voice, Brittany said, “Elisa, if my brother ever makes you angry, could you consider giving me a chance?”
A chance? What chance?
Brittany let go of her, blinked at her, and Louis sensed something wasn’t right. He forcibly pulled Brittany away, dragging her outside along with Mr. White.