Watching Adah pocket the billion-dollar check, Eleanor’s lips twitched with bitter irony as she contemplated the girl’s incredible fortune. Breaking off a single engagement and walking away with two billion in compensation—wealth that countless people couldn’t accumulate across multiple lifetimes!
Eleanor was oblivious that Allan had already offered 1.1 billion to Adah for breaking off the engagement. If she knew, she would despise Adah even more. Allan’s mouth curved into a similar expression of sardonic amusement. This supposedly naive country girl had systematically collected compensation from three Shaw family members, accumulating 3.1 billion dollars in merely two days. Everyone assumed she was a simple-minded fool, but he suspected she was playing an elaborate game of calculated innocence. After all, which genuine fool could generate revenue faster than a Fortune 500 corporation?
Adah continued to ignore Allan’s and Eleanor’s pointed stares, privately reveling in her spectacular achievement of earning 3.1 billion dollars in forty-eight hours.
At that moment, Raymond spoke with affection. “Adah, even though you won’t become my granddaughter-in-law, I’ll always consider you family. Promise me you’ll visit regularly, and never hesitate to ask if you need financial assistance.”
Adah’s smile radiated genuine warmth as she looked at Raymond. “I promise, Mr. Shaw.”
Raymond patted her head with grandfatherly tenderness before turning his attention to Allan. “Adah doesn’t fancy you, and you’ve lost the chance to marry her—that represents your profound loss, not hers. Moving forward, treat Adah as a beloved family member. Do you understand me?”
Having finally secured Raymond’s agreement to dissolve the engagement, Allan’s relief manifested in an exceptionally relaxed smile. “Perfectly understood.”
“Escort Adah home safely,” Raymond commanded with quiet authority.
Allan rose immediately, fixing Adah with a meaningful look that carried undertones of mischief. “Shall we depart?”
Adah exchanged polite farewells with Raymond before following Allan outside. Allan wore a gentle smile like a mask, but the moment they settled into the car, his expression shifted. The warmth vanished, replaced by biting sarcasm as he fixed his gaze on Adah.
Adah’s lips twitched involuntarily. She marveled at how Allan and his mother shared the uncanny ability to flip their expressions like changing channels on a television.
“So tell me,” Allan began, his voice cutting through the silence, “what made you suddenly decide to take the blame for our broken engagement?”
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Adah’s fingers found the checks nestled in her pocket, and her smile bloomed like flowers in spring. “Money talks, doesn’t it? 3.1 billion dollars in breakup compensation makes swallowing a little pride quite palatable.”
Her shameless admission drew a mocking curve to Allan’s lips. “Adah, you’ve found your calling. With acting chops like that, Hollywood should be knocking down your door.”
Having been seen through, Adah abandoned all pretense. “Actually, breaking into showbiz and becoming a top star has always been my dream. Allan, your talent scouting skills are surprisingly sharp.”
“Your shamelessness repulses me,” Allan spat harshly.
Adah’s eyes flashed as she shot back, “And you’re equally revolting.”
Allan was momentarily stunned by her sudden boldness. Her tongue had turned razor-sharp, her confidence unshakable. He realized he’d greatly underestimated her before. “Where am I taking you?” he asked, impatience bleeding through his words.
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