Carol, meanwhile, was not ready to give up just yet. She went back home and told her parents everything, complaining tearfully to them about the treatment she’d received.
Since she would clearly not get the approval from Brian’s mother and sister, Carol decided she would have to marry Brian by any means necessary. She was confident that after they were married, she could succeed in winning Brian’s love.
Moreover, she believed Brian was not so serious about Diana. Carol felt herself better than Diana in every respect. It was only a matter of time ’till Brian realized that too.
With these thoughts, Carol’s hope slowly returned. Brian would one day be the head of the William family. If he didn’t marry her, he and his father would lose the chance to make the family stronger, something that Brian’s father would not allow to happen.
At the same time, Antonette and Kyle were making their own devilish plans to gain control of the William family’s fortune.
“Where should we start?” Kyle asked.
Antonette looked at him with a sinister smile.
“When it comes to the William family, you know more than I do. Why do you ask me?”
“I am not as scheming as you.”
Antonette didn’t get angry at his cynicism: it was quite accurate.
“It’s true, I am full of cunning tricks. But first, I need to know everything about the William family. All the history, all the secrets, everything.”
As Kyle filled Antonette in on everything he knew about the family, Antonette listened patiently, raising an eyebrow here and there at certain interesting pieces of information.
Once Kyle was finished, they got into analyzing what he had said.
“Since it depends on everyone’s own power and ability, you still have a good chance, Kyle,” Antonette said reassuringly.
Kyle scowled, still doubtful of their success.
“To some extent, you’re right. But most of the financial resources and power of our family are under the control of Brian’s father. It is difficult for me to stand out. Moreover, Brian is the default inheritor.”
Antonette grinned evilly.
“That doesn’t matter. As long as the successor has not been decided, anything is possible.”
“Do you have any suggestions?”
“It’s simple. All you need to do is to make the elders in the family believe Brian is not fit to be head of the family,” Antonette explained to him enthusiastically. She sensed victory was more than achievable.
“How do I do that?”
“The thing noble families care most about is reputation. If Brian were to be discredited and receive a bad name, the elders would not allow him to inherit the family, in order to maintain William’s reputation.
Antonette smiled sweetly at Kyle before continuing, “There are lots of ways to damage his name. But the only way to ensure we are successful is with your total cooperation.”
Kyle was sold by Antonette’s explanation and eager to hear her plan.
“Just tell me what I need to do, and I’ll do it,” he said confidently.
Antonette came close to Kyle’s ear and whispered something to him.
Kyle stood in amazement for a while. Then he began to laugh grimly.
Brian William, I will defeat you sooner or later!
Knowing she was at least temporarily in Kyle’s good books, Antonette made an instant request to get something out of it.
“Since I did you a favor, could you give me a hand with something?”
“What can I do for you?”
“To visit my mother.” Antonette smiled at him, “We are in a loving relationship, aren’t we?”
Kyle was hesitant, but finally, he nodded his head in agreement. Antonette was full of ideas; she would be of great importance in his quest to become the heir to the William fortune.
On the other hand, he really did want to meet Antonette’s mother. What kind of mother could bring up a daughter to be as shrewd and vicious as she?
That afternoon, Kyle drove Antonette home.
When they walked on campus, Antonette was in the limelight. Many people knew what kind of person Antonette was, so when they saw her and Kyle together, in truth, they were astonished.
However, for Kyle, it was disgusting to see Antonette’s blatant vanity.
“Kyle and I will invite you for dinner one day,” Antonette said sweetly to her classmates.
All the girls were green with envy.
By this time, Kyle had no more patience and said coldly, “We should leave now; otherwise, we’ll be late.”
Antonette knew Kyle couldn’t bear to talk with these people.
“OK, baby, let’s go,” she said considerately.
Without hesitation, he walked quickly away to wait in the car park.
Antonette didn’t follow him at once but exchanged greetings with her classmates, then slowly came to him.
When Kyle opened the door for her, he had a horrible look on his face.
He closed the door, started the car, and said acidly to Antonette, “I don’t like to entertain the curiosity of others. Don’t force me to do that anymore.”
His cold attitude made Antonette realize that he still didn’t regard her as his ally at all, which made her quite uncomfortable. But she pretended to take it well, “OK, I get it,” she replied.
Guided by the GPS, the car sped along the smooth road. The further they went, the more desolate the scenery became. Kyle couldn’t help complaining, “Did you definitely put the right address?”
Antonette looked visibly annoyed by his grumbling, but she replied softly, “It’s correct. This is the only way to my home.”
Kyle glanced dubiously at Antonette but stopped asking.
For the next few hours, they sat together in silence.
Finally, the GPS indicated there only were two miles left, but they were surrounded by what could only be described as a slum.
Amazingly, Antonette once lived here.
Kyle knew Antonette had a poor family, but he didn’t expect it would be that bad. The environment was extremely harsh, the houses shabby and dilapidated.
“Do you live here?” Kyle blurted out.
“What’s wrong? Are you disappointed or surprised?”
Kyle smiled indifferently, “Neither, it’s none of my business.”
“It’s none of his business…” Antonette thought to herself in despair.
These words from Kyle were like a sharp needle pierced deep into her heart.
Antonette turned pale, but she couldn’t fall out with him now, so she clenched her fists and willed herself to keep it together.