Vernon's POV
“I don’t care!” Zera cut her father off mid-sentence. “I’ve made up my mind. Calvert is your rightful son-in-law. You’d really rather trust an outsider than your own daughter’s judgment?”
The San Francisco redevelopment project was one of Andrews Corporation’s most important undertakings in recent years.
In my past life, I had led the project to a massive success. It catapulted Andrews Corporation to the top, making it the leading company in New York. It also cemented my position as the true head of the Andrews business.
Zera knew all of this.
A few minutes later, the butler came to get me and led me to the study.
Mr. Andrews sat behind his large mahogany desk, looking tired and worn. He motioned for me to sit, his fingers absentmindedly tapping the tabletop, creating a low, steady rhythm.
“Vernon,” he started, “there’s something I need to discuss with you.”
“You don’t have to,” I interrupted calmly—so calm it almost startled me. “I understand.”
Mr. Andrews looked up in surprise, then a flicker of guilt crossed his face.
He had always believed in me. For years, he’d groomed me to take over the company as his successor. But now, his hands were tied. He was past retirement age, and someone had to take over.
He let out a long sigh. “You’ve always been in charge of the San Francisco project. Handing it over suddenly doesn’t feel right. But you know how Zera is. She's more stubborn than me.”
I nodded. “I understand, Mr. Andrews.”
From my coat, I pulled out a folder I had prepared long ago, along with the signet ring that symbolized the real power of Andrews Corporation. I placed both on the desk.
“This folder contains all the project files and handover documents. Zera already knows the password.”
Mr. Andrews stared at the signet, his fingers trembling ever so slightly.
I had carried that ring with me since I was eighteen. It had practically become part of me.
In my last life, it never once left my side, not even when I died.
Looking at my calm expression, Mr. Andrews opened his mouth as if to speak, then thought better of it.
I stood and gave him a respectful bow. “Thank you for everything over the years. I’ll always be grateful, Mr. Andrews.”
Suddenly, the door burst open.
Zera walked in briskly, heels clicking against the hardwood floor. Calvert followed closely behind.
She wore a striking red dress that made her skin look like snow—stunningly beautiful, almost unreal. But her eyes, once soft and affectionate when they looked at me, now held nothing but cold contempt.
“Dad, did you settle everything?” she asked, not sparing me a single glance as she walked straight over to Mr. Andrews.
With a sigh, he nodded and slid the documents and signet ring toward her. “Vernon has agreed to hand everything over.”
Before Zera could respond, Calvert had already grabbed the signet ring, his eyes shining with undisguised excitement and pride.
Mr. Andrews frowned slightly at the scene.
“Hold on.” My voice broke the moment.
Zera narrowed her eyes and sharply asked, “Vernon, are you going back on your word?”
I shook my head and pulled a separate document from the folder.
“This contains the core confidential data for the San Francisco project, including private agreements with government departments and several critical suppliers.”
Zera took the file with suspicion and started flipping through it quickly. But the deeper she read, the tighter her brows furrowed.
“If these terms aren’t handled correctly, the project could lose at least fifty million,” I said evenly. “But I’m sure Calvert can handle it, right?”
A flicker of unease crossed Calvert’s face, but he quickly masked it with a confident grin.
“You worry too much,” he said. “I know what to do.”
I didn’t respond.
Calvert might have a college diploma, but he was still just a clueless kid when it came to business.
