Chapter 10 Birthday Present

• "Mom, though we've gotten the contract from Montes Group, I don't think Uncle Steve and Uncle Miles got it yet. I went to Montes Group and they said that to make an appointment with the company, they would need to wait up to half a month. So, I don't think they have gotten the contract yet. You can relax for now," Sandy said.
• "If they couldn't get the contract and yet we did, that means that we finally have a say in the Evans Family." Charlotte nodded.
• "So, can you stop picking on Stuart now?" responded Sandy.
• "I don't have time for him," Charlotte replied.
• The Bakers and Evanses used to be very close as all of them watched Sebastian grow up. In fact, Wyatt and Charlotte treated him like their own son in the past.
• However, it was the very fact of how close she was with Sebastian that Charlotte spoke without any reservation about him, seeing how poor he was now.
• Still, after getting the contract, her mood had lightened up, for she stopped treating him like some beggar. So, one could say that Sebastian was helped by Noah after all.
• "It's my birthday the day after tomorrow. Can I invite Stuart?" Sandy asked cautiously.
• "You really want to get married to him, do you?" Charlotte showed a face full of disdain.
• "I do," Sandy replied.
• This made Charlotte ponder.
• When the Evans Family was at its peak, countless prominent families came to propose a marriage to Sandy. Despite being only sixteen years of age, that did not stop numerous families from locking down an engagement.
• Her eldest daughter, Alexis Evans, was married to the third in-line of the affluent Stark Family. Unfortunately, the person was not at all useful in their family's eyes, so she was treated coldly there.
• Yet, he would still come home to boast every New Year. Therefore, they did not like that son-in-law of theirs at all.
• It was because of this prior experience that made Charlotte and Wyatt more wary of who they marry off their other daughters to. Whenever some admirers were shot down by Sandy, Charlotte only chided her for a bit and did not pressure her further.
• Wyatt also tried to influence his wife somewhat by expressing that their future son-in-law did not necessarily have to be from an affluent family. Instead, they could make someone marry Sandy and let the groom come under their wing. At the very least, there would be another man in the house. If everything went well, they could even rely on him.
• After all, this was still their precious daughter they were talking about, so they could never bear to see her get bullied.
• This was why Sandy's position was temporarily safe now that she got the contract. If Sandy really wants to get married to Stuart, it's not that I can't agree. But, this guy is just incompetent. Aside from the fact that he's broke and has no connections whatsoever, he can't even do half of what she's capable of.
• "Whatever."
• The more she thought about it, the more frustrated she got. In the end, she could not be bothered any longer.
• Even though my daughter is starting to become more independent, our family is indeed indebted to the Bakers anyway. I guess Sandy's future is entirely in her hands.
• "Thanks, Mom." Sandy smiled.
• "Don't get your hopes up just yet. Jeremy just got into the Rithfield Garrison recently. You should know that the Danos have a good relationship with our family and they are the target that your grandmother is intended to get closer to. I believe you know what he's like, so don't blame me if I ignore Stuart when he's getting mocked at your birthday banquet," Charlotte stated.
• "Jeremy got into the Rithfield Garrison?" asked Sandy.
• "Yes," replied Charlotte.
• The person they were talking about was Jeremy Dano. He hailed from the Danos, who is one of the top families in Rithfield. He entered military school when he was eighteen and now, he was part of the Rithfield Garrison—the highest law enforcing group in all of Rithfield.
• Therefore, he was now considerably an influential person in the upper echelons.
• Yet, he had a nasty temper and was famed for having more brawn than brain. Even though he fancied Sandy a lot, Wyatt and Charlotte did not consider him as a potential marriage candidate for their daughter as they were afraid that he might walk over them in the future.
• Seeing that he had just entered the garrison, this meant that he could move out and about now. At the thought that a thug was going to bother her daughter, she felt a headache coming on.
• "I'll be making a move first, Mrs. Evans." Sebastian stood up and Charlotte kept silent.
• After he left, she let out a sneer. "See that? He was frightened to the point of leaving when he heard that an official is about to be his love rival. Trust me, that person is useless."
• "Mom, Stuart isn't that kind of person." Sandy shook her head subtly.
• In Sandy's eyes, even though Sebastian had a gentle and mild personality that would not be a match for Jeremy, he was someone with a backbone as he had never stooped low before anyone else.
• On the other hand, Sebastian was not afraid of Jeremy naturally.
• After all, he was the head of the garrison, so why would he be afraid of his own subordinate?
• He merely felt bored to continue staying at the Evans Residence. Upon thinking that there was still unfinished business back at Montes Group, he went back to settle that.
• "I'm at the security section in the lobby. Come down and meet me here." Sebastian phoned Noah upon reaching the company.
• "Of course." She quickly rushed down.
• The moment the security team saw Noah picking up Sebastian, they were shocked to their cores. Never in their wildest dreams did they think that this young man was their new boss!
• "Did you make a visit to the Evanses this morning?" Sebastian walked into the president's office before sitting on the main chair and lighting a cigarette.
• "Yes. I snooped around for a bit and found out that you and Sandy Evans were childhood friends. You came back to marry her, am I right? You sure are a romantic, boss." Noah smiled at Sebastian.
• Thinking that she did a favor for Sebastian this morning, Noah was very delighted inside as she was waiting to be praised by him.
• "The security here doesn't know who I am." Sebastian sighed.
• "Eh?" Noah opened her mouth slightly.
• "I brought Sandy to the company to sign the contract this morning, but I was blocked by them," he stated.
• "Those fools. How dare they stop you!" She stomped her foot in anger.
• "The ignorant have no sin. They were just doing their job. You're not in the wrong either, seeing how the protocols are enforced in the company," he replied.
• "Thank you, boss." Noah lowered her head.
• "It'll be Sandy's birthday the day after tomorrow. What gift do you think I should prepare?" Sebastian asked after giving it some thought.
• "Boss, are you thinking of proposing to her?" asked Noah.
• "I am," he replied.
• "Forgive me if I'm being a busybody, but I heard that the Evanses treated you very coldly in the past. It seems like they still don't know about your true identity. Since Charlotte loves money, you could give Sandy someone expensive like jewelry, watches, or diamonds," Noah suggested.
• "I've given her all those, but Charlotte threw them away, saying that they were all fakes. She also did not accept the watch, assuming that it was a counterfeit. They have looked down on me for too long now, so even if I have something to show, their impression of me is still stuck from ten years ago. Let's say that I present her with a five-carat diamond ring, they would still think that it's a fake." Sebastian sighed.
• "Then, you can give her cash," uttered Noah.
• "Cash?" He became intrigued.
• "This might sound unkind, but for some small-time families like the Evanses, they are still below Montes Group at their peak, so a few million should be enough to make them overjoyed. Still, we can't be such miser. I'll prepare twenty million for you to let them see who you really are, boss," she said.
• "Not bad." He nodded in agreement.
• He was unlike Dustin, who had a glib tongue and acted rich even when he was not. From a young age, Sebastian was used to living a low-profiled life, so he did not know how to show off even when he had tons of money.
• With twenty million in cash, he could salvage all his lost reputation on the day of Sandy's birthday.