Filed To Story: Watch Out! She's a Mastermind Heiress (Isabella Patton) Book PDF Free
“I’ve been busy lately, so I haven’t been able to visit. Now that I’m here, I’m relieved to see you’re doing well,” Esteban said, adapting a respectful tone. Before Erick, Susan watched silently, her lips pursed, suspecting her father was merely putting on a show.
Erick responded with only occasional nods. He was aware that Erick held some resentment toward him for remarrying so quickly after his first wife’s death. Esteban himself was somewhat baffled as to how Mara had become pregnant with his child. He couldn’t just abandon his own child, could he?
Originally, he had planned to bring only the child back, but his mother, desiring a more lively household, had secretly brought both Mara and the baby home. Subsequently, Esteban found it impossible to send them away. Besides, his first wife had passed away early, and he was a stern man ill-suited for single parenthood. Having a woman in the house seemed like a better arrangement. There were many lessons better imparted by a mother than a father.
Esteban then turned to Susan. “Are you really seeing him?”
Susan was reluctant to engage with Esteban but nodded nonchalantly.
Esteban scowled. “He’s not an ordinary young man.”
Susan kept her face neutral.
Esteban was irritated by her aloof demeanor, his tone growing sharp. “If you’re serious about being with him, you should consider joining the family business.”
Susan scoffed. “Even if I joined your company, would you really treat me fairly? Wouldn’t you be upset if I outshone your daughter?”
Esteban was perplexed. “Susan, what are you talking about? I’ve treated you both equally since you were children. If you had had your sister’s academic record, you could have studied abroad too!”
Susan’s expression darkened. “You were the one who wouldn’t let me go to school!”
“Where did I ever stop you?” Esteban retorted, visibly angered.
Susan wondered what Esteban was playing at. Was he hiding his true colors from Erick?
Susan replied coldly, “If you promise I’ll receive the same treatment as Jada if I join the company, consider it!”
“I’ve always treated you both equally, and I’ve never been biased,” Esteban insisted, confused by Susan’s hostility. Hadn’t he always been fair? He had always made sure Mara got extra money when buying clothes for Susan!
Susan just smirked, choosing not to challenge Esteban. “Then you should start at the company.”
Esteban said calmly, “Susan, it’s an excellent opportunity for you.”
Susan didn’t object anymore. Although Josie’s words were harsh, they made Susan acknowledge her need to assert herself. If she wanted to be with Dane, she needed to prove her worth.
Besides, half the company was her mother’s legacy. Why shouldn’t she claim what was rightfully hers? She wouldn’t just join the company; she intended to take charge.
After spending a bit more time in the hospital room, Esteban departed, sensing the cool reception from both Erick and Susan.
Erick smiled at Susan. “Have you really made up your mind to join the company?”
Long-Awaited Date
“Yes, Grandpa, I’m going to join the company. I must become stronger to protect those I hold dear,” Susan declared firmly, her eyes ablaze with determination. Erick gazed at her tenderly, a hint of guilt in his eyes. “If my health hadn’t failed, I could have protected you better, Susan.”
“You’ve shielded me for so many years. Now, it’s my turn to safeguard you,” Susan replied sweetly.
“You’ve always been so sensible since you were a child. However, don’t believe your father is as terrible as you think,” Erick said, his voice gentle yet laden with meaning. “Susan, he’s your father. When you had a severe fever, he never left your side. It’s clear to me that he truly cares about you.”
Susan was taken aback. She recalled suffering from a high fever in her childhood but had never envisioned that Esteban had been there for her. The revelation silenced her.
“Mara is not a good person, Susan. If you have any issues, it’s best to speak directly to your father. Do you understand?”
Erick’s words sent a shiver down Susan’s spine.
Indeed, she realized that over the years, her interactions with Esteban had been alarmingly sparse, mediated mostly through Mara. And with Mara’s malicious nature, it was unlikely she would want anything beneficial for Susan. The information Mara relayed might not truly reflect Esteban’s intentions. Susan’s expression grew icy.
However, even if Esteban wasn’t directly responsible for some of those schemes, he certainly was aware of the arranged marriage.
Erick looked at Susan with a perceptive eye, quickly reading her thoughts. “Since your mother passed away, your father has made it a point to visit me every year, always bringing more gifts than the last time. If he didn’t genuinely care for your mother, he wouldn’t bother with such gestures.”
Furthermore, the Bowers family was no longer as influential as they once were. Esteban had no reason to ingratiate himself with them any longer.
Susan pressed her lips together. “I understand,” she conceded. Perhaps Esteban was not as despicable as she had believed, but he was not entirely kind, either. “You are your father’s first daughter, and your mother was the woman he deeply loved,” Erick continued, his voice earnest. “Susan, the future of the Riggs family should rightfully be yours. Are you prepared to give it to Mara and your father?”
Erick’s gaze bore into Susan’s, filling her with a resolve to secure her rightful inheritance from the Riggs family, ensuring she wasn’t oppressed by those around her.
He didn’t have much time left, and he intended to spend his remaining days aiding Susan as much as possible.
“I understand now,” Susan declared, her voice firm with new resolve. “You’re right. Previously, I acted out of spite, cutting ties with my father. But the Riggs Group belongs to my mother and father. Why should I relinquish it to anyone else?”
Susan stood, her eyes alight with fierce determination. “I will reclaim everything that belongs to me!”
Only then did Erick’s face break into a smile. “Now that’s my granddaughter! If there’s anything you’re unsure about, come to me anytime. Though I’m old, I still have a knack for business and a few connections that might be useful.”
“Alright, Grandpa.”
Meanwhile, Josie found herself bewildered on the busy sidewalk. Clutching a bag of breakfast, she stood frozen, uncertainty clouding her thoughts. Was she really going to take this to Susan? Susan would undoubtedly ridicule her! Yet, if she chose not to bring the breakfast, wouldn’t Esteban harbor resentment towards her? The Reed Group was nothing but a minor player compared to the Riggs Group.
Though often pampered, Josie couldn’t jeopardize her family’s future.
Her lips twisted in dismay, and her heart throbbed with sorrow. No wonder Dane had chosen Susan; it was her family background that attracted him.
That meant Dane was also a man who prized power above all. Her heart stung with the realization that if she had been a Riggs, perhaps Dane would have chosen her. Truly, men were realistic creatures.
Resigned, Josie returned to the hospital and handed the breakfast to a nurse before swiftly making her exit. She needed a new plan.
Josie delved deeper into the background of the Riggs family, puzzled as to why she had been unaware of Susan’s ties to such an influential clan.
Her research soon revealed the answer. It turned out Susan was hardly favored within the Riggs family, overshadowed by a stepmother and a stepsister, rendering her practically invisible.
So, that was the state of affairs!
With this new information, Josie narrowed her eyes in calculation. Since that was the case, she would need to forge a good relationship with Jada, who was about to return.
Meanwhile, at Edge Entertainment, Isabella was engrossed in her work when a message from Susan popped up on her screen.
“Isabella, I’m planning to work at the Riggs Group.”
“Really? That’s great news!” Isabella exclaimed, though a concern quickly surfaced. “But, won’t your father deliberately make things difficult for you?”
Susan sighed and replied, “I don’t know that either. I’ll find out when I’m there. I have to work hard. The Riggs Group belongs to my mother, too. Even if it’s just for her sake, I have to give it my all. But, Isabella, I’m still a bit nervous. The Riggs Group primarily deals in perfumes, and I haven’t made any perfumes in a long time.”
“I really liked the scents you created in those skincare products,” Isabella replied warmly, encouraging her. “It’s never too late to work hard.”
“Alright! Thank you, Isabella. Your words have truly reassured me.”
Time whisked by, and soon it was the end of the day.
After work, Isabella went to find Andrew.
There was little going on today, allowing her and Andrew a chance for a long-awaited date.
With a light heart, she made her way to the Klein Group’s headquarters. Upon reaching the floor with the CEO’s office, Isabella spotted Andrew’s assistant exiting the office swiftly.
The assistant caught sight of Isabella and looked visibly startled.
Isabella raised her eyebrows, a hint of confusion playing across her features. What was wrong? Did she look terrible?
“Miss Patton, our CEO is currently in a meeting. Perhaps you could wait in the reception room?” the assistant suggested.
“A meeting? Then how come you just came from his office?” Isabella inquired sharply.
“I was retrieving some materials,” the assistant replied. It made sense, yet the assistant’s expression gave him away.
“I can wait for him in his office,” Isabella said, her eyes narrowing with suspicion. She had a gut feeling that something was amiss.
“The reception room would be more comfortable. I’ll prepare some snacks for you, Miss Patton…” The assistant tried to persuade her, but Isabella was already steps ahead, her resolve firm. She strode to the door of the CEO’s office and pushed it open.
New Book: Returned To Make Them Pay
On her wedding anniversary, Alicia is drugged and stumbles into the wrong room—straight into the arms of the powerful Caden Ward, a man rumored never to touch women. Their night of passion shocks even him, especially when he discovers she’s still a virgin after two years of marriage to Joshua Yates.