Chapter 12 I Have a Daddy

• At the courtyard of the Smith residence.
• Vanessa had just gotten home. Before she could even take off her shoes, Rebecca stormed up to her and asked angrily, "Did that loser go to the company today?"
• "Mom, I'm exhausted. Can you please stop bothering me?" Vanessa said, sounding drained.
• Hadden had already taken on that impossible task for her, leaving her stressed out and overwhelmed. The last thing she wanted was to deal with more problems.
• "Do you know what time it is? And you're still acting like this?"
• Rebecca's face was filled with worry. "I heard everything. At the Smiths's weekly meeting, your Grandpa said you either marry Bill or secure the deal with Wildden Group. If you don't, we'll be kicked out of the family! That idiot actually accepted the task for you! He's a brainless fool, and what about you? Why didn't you just agree to marry Bill?"
• Vanessa had been running around all day, trying to pull strings. She couldn't even get inside Wildden Group's door, and she was already beyond frustrated. Now, back home, Rebecca was bringing it up again.
• "Mom, I'm begging you. Please stop. I get bullied at the company, I get bullied when trying to negotiate deals, and now you're doing this to me at home too?" Vanessa's eyes were red, and she sounded on the verge of breaking down.
• "Vana's been through enough. Let her rest. She just got home."
• Andrew, who had been sitting on the couch reading the newspaper, finally put it down and spoke, sounding defeated.
• Rebecca rushed over to Andrew, hands on her hips, and yelled, "Andrew! Do you even know what she's gotten herself into? She took on the task of securing a deal with Wildden Group, which is an impossible task! If this keeps up, in three days, we're going to be kicked out of the Smiths!"
• "I'm back!"
• At that moment, a cheerful voice rang out, and Vivian entered the room with a big smile on her face.
• "I've got some great news to share … "
• But as soon as she walked in, she noticed the tension. Rebecca looked furious, Andrew seemed helpless, and Vanessa was filled with despair.
• "What's going on?"
• Sensitive to the mood, Vivian walked straight over to Vanessa, took her hand, and asked, "Vana, are you okay?"
• Vanessa just shook her head gently. "Vivi, can you do me a favor and pick up Anya later? I'm going to my room."
• "What great news could there be? Your sister took on the task of securing a deal with Wildden Group. If she fails, we'll all be kicked out of the Smiths," Rebecca said, calmer now after her outburst, as she watched Vanessa walk away.
• "Vana!"
• Hearing Rebecca's words, Vivian's face lit up with excitement.
• She quickly caught up to Vanessa and said, "Vana, I can help you with the deal! After all, I just got hired at Wildden Group!"
• The hopeless look in Vanessa's eyes immediately changed to one of surprise and hope. She grabbed Vivian's arms in excitement. "Vivi, you really got hired by Wildden Group?"
• But right after asking, Vanessa's expression dimmed again, and she shook her head bitterly. "Even if you did, you're just a new employee. There's no way you could help me."
• Vivian suddenly felt a little guilty. But seeing how devastated Vanessa looked, her heart ached, and she said with determination, "Vana, trust me. I can absolutely help. My best friend Clarissa is the HR manager at Wildden Group, and she's close with the higher-ups. If I ask her, I'm sure we can secure the deal."
• "That's amazing! Thank you, Vivi!"
• Vanessa's eyes were red with emotion. After worrying about this for the entire day, she finally received some good news.
• Vivian rolled her eyes playfully and said, "You're really thanking me?"
• After speaking, Vivian turned to look at Rebecca, who was still riding the high of the moment. "Mom, I'll help Vana sort this out. She's had a tough day, so please stop fussing."
• Rebecca smiled and said "Good" several times. "That's my daughter! First, we had Jerton's wealthiest family, the Porters, send a bride price. Now, you've even joined Wildden Group. I'd like to see who dares look down on us in the future!"
• "I'm off to pick up Anya!"
• Vivian flashed a triumphant smile and walked out. The roar of an engine echoed as her white Maserati sped off, disappearing at the end of the street.
• At Wildden Group's Jerton branch, on the top floor.
• Ronald stood nervously in front of Hadden, giving a detailed report on the branch's recent preparations.
• Hadden sat in his office chair, holding a document in his hand.
• "Mr. Holland, several companies are interested in partnering with Wildden Group. I've handpicked a few strong contenders for you to consider. Please review the list and decide which ones we should work with," Ronald said cautiously.
• Hadden glanced at the list briefly—it mostly consisted of Jerton's elite companies.
• "Add the Smiths' Trinity Group to the list. You can decide on the other partners," Hadden said, casually tossing the list back to Ronald.
• When Ronald heard the name "Smiths," he hesitated slightly but still asked, "Mr. Holland, the Smiths isn't even considered a second-tier family. As for Trinity Group … "
• "My wife's name is Vanessa Smith," Hadden interrupted before Ronald could finish.
• Ronald's face was filled with shock, which quickly turned to fear. "Mr. Holland, I'm so sorry. I didn't know Ms. Smith was your wife. She came by several times today, but I didn't meet with her."
• By the end of his explanation, Ronald looked extremely uneasy.
• Hadden wasn't upset. "Tomorrow, you'll personally deliver the contract to Trinity Group. But no one is to know about my involvement. Understand?"
• Ronald wiped the sweat from his forehead and quickly agreed.
• Hadden glanced at his watch. "It's about time for school to be out, right?"
• With that, he stood up and left.
• At Sky Blossom Kindergarten.
• A white Maserati pulled up in front of the school, and a pair of long, slender legs stepped out of the car.
• The woman who emerged was none other than Vivian, her face adorned with a slight smile, her hair flowing in the breeze.
• She didn't pay any attention to the many eyes drawn to her as she walked into the kindergarten. Only then did several of the men realize, with disappointment, that this stunning beauty was already spoken for.
• It was peak pickup time, and the teachers were too busy to keep an eye on all the kids.
• Vivian searched for a while before hearing Anya's voice. A soft smile appeared on her lips, but her brow soon furrowed.
• Anya's face was full of anger, and standing across from her was a little boy. The two looked like they were in the middle of an argument.
• "You're just a fatherless brat! Say it! Say it! And I'm going to hit you too!" the boy shouted arrogantly.
• Tears welled up in Anya's eyes, but she angrily yelled back, "I do have a daddy! Shut up!"
• "You're a brat! There's no way you have a dad!" the boy yelled even louder, raising his chubby hand to push Anya.