The True Heiress's Return

Chapter 74

Shakira typed back: [Weren't you confident about it?]

Xanthe replied quickly: [Who knows? Damn it, Yvette's grandpa actually has a favor from Mr. Joyce. Mr. Joyce has worked with my family so many times, and to return the favor, he turned us down!] Yvette's grandpa?' A A fleeting cold glint crossed Shakira's eyes. Meanwhile, the impatient Xanthe couldn't wait any longer and called her.

Shakira had no choice but to pick up.

As soon as she answered, Xanthe's panicked scream blasted through the phone, "Ahhh, Shakira, what do I do? I'm going to explode! I can already picture Yvette's smug face!"

Shakira

quietly moved the phone away from her ear. That screech was terrifying. "Stay calm."

Xanthe was anything but calm. "Can't you just panic a bit?"

Shakira smiled lightly, "There's no point in panicking, and Mr. Sullivan gave up that quickly?"

"The old

The I man did say he wants to to keep trying, but I just don't think there's much hope. The Smith family not only has connections but also the Nelson family backing them up. Even a fool would pick them." Well, you're just boosting someone else's ego and killing your own spirit. Not my problem."

Before Xanthe could freak out again, Shakira chuckled, "Have your uncle keep trying. Whether it works or not, just getting under Lago's skin is good enough."

"What good would that do? When they land the project, they'll probably come back and laugh at my dad!"

The taxi sped through the streets of Crescentville. Neon lights flashed by the window, casting shifting shadows on Shakira's face.

Her voice dropped a little, hiding deep emotions. "Lago won't land the project. Just rile him up, put some competitive pressure on him to increase his investment costs, and he'll end up with nothing." Xanthe was confused. "What do you mean? I don't get it."

"Not

t understanding is probably for the best. Just act cute with Mr. Sullivan-that's your job. As for Mr. Sullivan's business, who knows? He might even get lucky and hear good news."

"Huh?"

She hung up and messaged Sean, then

window, and the warm summer breeze flowed in, feeling great Shakira lifted her hand, letting her fingers savor the realness of the moment. It felt good to be alive...

*****

from the living room where he'd been anxiously waiting. "Dad, Finn, what

couldn't help but quietly complain, "Mitchell, don't let

1/3

Tue, Oct 22

Chapter 74

her.

also turned

bit her lip, her eyes red, and glanced

rubbing his tired eyes, and quickly summarized what

is ridiculous! This troublemaker just won't let us go!

I

a jinx? If I had known, we shouldn't have let her grow up!" Rebecca looked a bit Ia bit embarrassed, biting her lip in silence,

"She's just a girl; she can't

had happened too many times before... Every time, they had misunderstood her. This time, instead of joining his family in resenting and doubting Shakira, he believed in her even more. wanted to say something else, but Cody shot him a look. "Business decisions are up to Finn. Stay out of it!" As the eldest brother, Finn said to the gloomy Mitchell, "Come with me." The two brothers went to sit in the pavilion in the backyard. and I looked at his younger brother, curious. "Why are you defending Shakira

Michas much colder a

Finn was

believe a blind decisions

Mitchell, making blind

suspicious?" Mitchell couldn't help but point out, "Shakira is so smart; she's not dumb. If she

Finn frowned, saying nothing.

was to return a favor that she told me. I only helped her by chance; if I hadn't gone to her, she might not have given me a hint. Maybe this project really does have issues?" Finn thought for

showing some helplessness on his face. "Like you, it's just a gut feeling."

collaboration is my first time getting deep into it. He came to my office a few times before, and I didn't like the look in his eyes-there's always this greed. And tonight, at the dinner, he was way too eager to please, trying too hard. From my years of experience in business, he seems all about the money and doesn't care about anything else. Sure, having a partner like that might bring in some quick profits, but for long-term -collaboration, you've got to be on guard around someone ke him." Mitchell blurted out, "Finn,

like

When have you dealt with

nearly let slip about Yvette...

Oct 22

Chapter 74

We're brothers after all;