Chapter 7 Trying to Support

• "Fine, you can give it a shot, but just remember: no matter what happens, don't make Dracorise Group angry."
• "Got it, Grandma," Whitney replied, understanding that if she failed, it wouldn't just be the loss of a potential partnership but also a significant blow to their family's reputation with the powerful Dracorise Group.
• As she recalled her previous attempts to connect with the corporation, all of which had ended poorly, Whitney began to doubt her earlier confidence in taking on this challenge.
• That realization took a toll on her self-assurance.
• Melissa, ever watchful of Whitney's discomfort, seized the moment.
• "Whitney, since you've promised you're going to try, what happens if you can't pull it off?" she asked, her voice laced with derision.
• Whitney hesitated, frowning as uncertainty washed over her. "I ... "
• Having recently moved out of the Chadwick home, Whitney felt stripped of any power or leverage in this situation.
• "How about this? Let's make a bet: If you manage to succeed, I'll bow down in front of the entire family and grovel at your feet. But if you fail, you won't be considered a Chadwick anymore!"
• Melissa's eyes glinted with triumph at the prospect of embarrassing Whitney. The chances of successfully securing a partnership with Dracorise Group seemed slim, making this the perfect opportunity to permanently oust Whitney from the family.
• Once their grandmother passed, all the wealth would be up for grabs.
• Seeing Whitney hesitate, Melissa believed her long-held fears about their family's fortune could vanish effortlessly.
• "Deal! We accept your bet!"
• It was not Whitney who voiced agreement, but rather Charles, who everyone considered the family underachiever.
• Henry, shocked by the sudden turn of events, turned to Samantha, who sat at the head of the table, and exclaimed, "Mom ... "
• Samantha had remained quiet, calmly observing as if she had already given her silent approval of the wager.
• "Oh, what a family of incompetent slackers," Melissa sneered at Henry's pleading gaze.
• "Melissa, I accepted your challenge! Until this is resolved, could you please tone down your harsh words?" Whitney retorted, her anger boiling over as she took Charles's hand, ready to leave.
• "Oh, Whitney, I can't wait to see how you'll end up after you're no longer a Chadwick ... " Melissa reclined in her plush chair, grinning smugly as she watched Whitney and Charles depart.
• As her words hung in the air, Charles abruptly turned around, his mouth open as if to challenge her. "I'll be waiting for you to bow and grovel!"
• Back home, Henry wasted no time confronting Charles and Whitney.
• "Whitney, have you lost your mind? You actually trust this loser and want to negotiate with Dracorise Group? If this fails, you'll be completely disowned from the Chadwicks! What does that mean for me? Your mother died young, and I put in so much effort raising you, and this is how you repay me?"
• "Dad ... " Whitney faltered, unsure how to defend herself.
• Charles chimed in, "Dad, if Whitney can successfully partner with Dracorise Group, isn't that a good outcome?"
• "Partner with Dracorise Group? You've got to be kidding! Do you even grasp how influential Dracorise Group is? Why would they consider our family's business? Charles, you idi*t! You've put us in a horrible position!" Henry roared, his chest rising and falling as he struggled to maintain his composure.
• "Dad, please calm down," Whitney said gently, patting Henry's back in an attempt to comfort him. "I know I'm not the best at managing the company you left me, but I truly want to prove that we deserve respect! I want to fight for our standing!"
• Henry let out a deep sigh. "Still, you can't agree to this. Even Melissa, with her impressive husband, wouldn't dare make such bold claims. What chance do we have ... "
• Charles listened to their exchange with a quiet chuckle, knowing they would never believe that he had already made significant progress on a deal with Dracorise Group. The partnership was nearly finalized.
• "What are you laughing at? If you hadn't agreed to Melissa's ridiculous challenge, we wouldn't be in this situation! Do you understand how much trouble you've created? You'd better leave this house before I lose it!" Henry glared intensely at Charles.
• Whitney felt torn between her father's anger and her own determination. "Dad, Charles is just trying to support us."
• Even as she spoke, she reflected on the earlier scene and realized that Charles had indeed acted a bit rashly. While Melissa was confrontational, there were ways to manage her.
• But now, they felt trapped with only one option left.
• "Support us?" Henry spat, his frustration boiling over. "When we get completely kicked out of the Chadwicks, I'll be the first to throw Charles out!"
• Witnessing the situation escalate, Whitney quickly shot Charles a look.
• Charles nodded, saying, "Honey, I noticed you didn't eat enough earlier, did you? I'll whip up some chicken soup for you."
• He dashed into the kitchen, the sound of Henry's angry exclamations following him. "Chicken soup? That's all you can think to do?!"