Smith Family(2)

After Atty. Kai left the mansion, the tension in the room became apparent but Elena remained unfazed, smiling brightly and oblivious to the change in atmosphere. 

Her attention was on her aunt and uncle, hoping to catch them off guard with her feigned innocence. 

Beneath her cheerful exterior, however, was a calculating mind planning her next step.

Heh, let's see what they will come up with, smirking as she looked at them.

Mrs. Smith leaned forward with a wicked smile and cleverly shifted the conversation to Elena's marriage, feeling that it was an ideal topic. 

This maneuver would draw Elena out, allowing for a closer relationship with them.

"My dear, you look quite thin. How have you really been?" Mrs. Smith asked, pretending to care. "Maybe you should think about moving back into the mansion." 

Before Elena could answer, his uncle also jabbered.

"Niece, you really should come back with us," William urged, his voice laced with concern.

"We want to take care of you. Just look at yourself—you've lost weight and look so stressed after only two weeks! Where is Ethan? It seems like he's not taking care of you at all." 

His words dripped with a subtle hint of manipulation, aiming to plant seeds of doubt in Elena's mind about Ethan's support.

Heh, same scheme as before, Elena thought, rolling her eyes. Her uncle always tried to make Ethan look bad.

"Uncle, Aunt, I know you're doing all this for my best, but I can't just leave my newlywed home. Maybe he's just too busy," Elena said as she fixed her gaze on the floor.

"He hasn't called since he left you at the reception, right? My dear, you should really think about it, maybe he was reluctant about the marriage"

Mrs. Smith said, her voice laced with concern as she leaned closer, her words like a whispering wind trying to drive a wedge between Elena and Ethan.

Luh, Elena smirked. If this were the past, she would definitely believe her aunt. Her acting is spot on—maybe she should consider a career in entertainment!

"It's not like that, Aunt! Please don't say things like that," Elena replied, her voice rising slightly as she tried to act as if defending Ethan.

William's frustration grew, and he nearly slapped his niece.

Instead, he glanced at his daughter Vivian with annoyance, silently conveying, It's your turn.

Vivian sprang into action, sliding next to Elena with a sombre expression.

"Sis, this is hard for me to say, but you need to know, Marcus and I spotted your husband at a hotel—with SOMEONE ELSE last week! He was gone for two weeks, and now he's back in a hotel? That's seriously shady!"

Elena fought the urge to kick her cousin, thinking, maybe you should become a storyteller; you're good at it! What do you mean by 'hotel'? He was on a mission, and that was their hideout! And seeing someone else? That was just his male subordinate! She rolled her eyes but feigned shock.

"Is this true? How can it be?" Elena exclaimed, her voice trembling as she turned to her uncle, eyes wide with feigned distress and a sad expression.

Seeing his niece's genuine shocked face, William realized the time had come.

He quickly signaled his wife, readying her for the final touch to their plan.

"My dear, don't be sad," Mrs. Smith said gently, her voice soothing like a warm embrace.

"If he truly did something immoral, then he doesn't deserve you at all. Perhaps a little vacation would help you escape this stress and find some peace." She smiled, urging Elena to agree as soon as possible.

"This bastard!" William exclaimed, his voice full of bravado.

"I'll have a word with your husband." He puffed out his chest, feigning heroism while secretly plotting how to exploit the situation, ensuring that the truth remained hidden while he protected his interests.

Finally, the topic came back to inheritance. I don't have much time for their antics; being with them is so tiring, Elena thought, feeling her patience wear thin from their scheme.

"Aunt, Uncle! I... I can't! I have responsibilities in the company. If I go on vacation, who will replace me?" Elena said desperately, tears streaming down her cheeks.

William finally smiled genuinely at his niece and said, "Niece, don't worry. I will take good care of the company. But I'm afraid they won't listen to me."

His expression softened as he plotted a way to position himself as the new leader of the company.

Elena recognized her uncle's impatience and blatant ambition, pretending to be oblivious to his true intentions while showering him with gratitude.

"Uncle, you're so good to me! I'll gladly write a resolution, making you the new leader. My professor is going to Country D for an exhibition. I want to follow her and pursue my dream of becoming a painter. Unfortunately, I need a lot of MONEY for the exhibition and to buy an antique painting she wants. I'd really love to be her disciple!" Elena masked her true intentions with a façade of gratitude, hoping he'd buy her story.

Well, she's not lying, though. She will go to Country D to buy a lot of materials, and she badly needs money.

William was stunned by her niece's enthusiasm. Oblivious to the facade behind it.

Thrilled about becoming the new chairman of Smith Company, he quickly said, "Niece, that's good you should pursue your dream. How much money do you want?"

Elena was ecstatic. 

"More or less 50 billion," with a playful glint in her eye.

Let's see if they're willing to accept that offer, for the position they want. 

Mrs. Smith was taken aback by the enormous amount of money she needed. 

With wide eyes open, she exclaimed, "My dear, that's a staggering amount! What kind of antique do you plan to buy? Perhaps your grandfather has something your professor would want?"

She raised an eyebrow, intrigued and skeptical about Elena's grand ambitions.

Elena rolled her eyes internally. Do you think 50 billion is a lot for Smith Company? If selling it weren't so demanding and time-consuming, I wouldn't be here talking to you, stifling the urge to snap. 

"It's a famous painting from a historical period. My professor is obsessed with it—she even travels monthly to see it," Elena explained, her voice laced with urgency.

"I guess I'll have to work harder because a vacation isn't an option right now."

She smiled wryly, subtly hinting to her uncle that his next move could make all the difference.

William shot a disapproving glance at his wife, the words What do you know hanging unspoken in the air.

Turning to his niece, he said, "You need to prioritize your health. The stress isn't good for you. How about you lend us your share, I'll give you 50 billion upfront and dividends yearly? That way, you can focus on your dream of becoming a famous painter."

"I'll listen to you, Uncle." Elena agreed easily.

Vivian watched Elena agree so quickly, glancing at her father, who seemed to have orchestrated everything flawlessly. A fleeting doubt crossed her mind—something felt off—but it was quickly overshadowed by excitement. 

Finally, I'll become the true heiress of the Smith company, her heart racing with the promise of power and opportunity. The thrill of her future overshadowed any lingering concerns.

"Good. Do you have time next week to sign the papers?" William asked.

Actually, he longed to finalize everything today, but the thought of the company lawyer's disapproving glare held him back. 

Better to wait and avoid a lecture, convincing himself that patience was a virtue and added,

"Let's make sure everything is in order" 

"Okay, Uncle, just call me anytime; I'll be available around"

She needed that money ASAP to kickstart her plan for stocking materials for her space.

Waiting felt like a missed opportunity to transform her vision into reality.

I couldn't afford any delays, mentally calculating the costs of supplies she needed to secure before the apocalypse began.

"Since it's finalized, let's have dinner before leaving" William said, a grin spreading across his face. 

He looked at his niece and couldn't help but smirk.

She's so naive, he thought, relishing the way everything was going according to his plan.

Elena glanced at her uncle's smug face, trying not to laugh. 

You think you've outsmarted me, huh? her eyes sparkling with mischief. 

You must wait for the apocalypse to hit—your bank account will be worthless. Oh, and the antique? Maybe I'll steal it myself!" She smiled happily as she plotted her next move.

After dinner, she hastily went home, planned her three-month routine before the apocalypse, and listed all that needed to be bought.