Teagan closed her eyes, taking a moment to gather her thoughts. When she spoke again, her usual composure had returned. "Averi, I see your point. But love is just one small part of life. When the excitement fades, you'll realize that the most important thing a partner can offer isn't just emotional connection, but the life they can provide. You've never had to want for anything, so you may not understand what that feels like, but you should understand that it's easier to go from having little to having plenty than from having plenty to having nothing."
"Milo is the one who can help you stand firm and steady. He may not be able to help you climb higher, but he can ensure that you won't fall."
Averi smiled. "Mom, are you saying these things to me as a mother to her daughter, or as the chairman's wife to her successor?"
"What do you mean?"
Averi laughed and shook her head, choosing to skip over the topic. She changed the subject, asking, "Mom, do you think I can take over the entire J Corporation?"
Teagan countered, "Why not?"
"Because Dad has six children, unless the others all die, the family business will never be just mine," Averi said calmly. "Mom, J Corporation is no longer the company you and Dad founded together. Now it includes three listed companies and eight private ones. None of these companies are truly named 'J Corporation.' What we call J Corporation is just a concept, and when that concept disappears, so will everything else."
"The current distribution is already the limit. I believe Dad has thought this through carefully, even testing our reactions repeatedly. Giving me any more would only lead to endless lawsuits. Including Santino, we are six people, and we could spend decades fighting each other, which is how many family businesses collapse."
This is the "dilemma" all second-generation members face. Unless you start your own business or are an only child, you have to share the pie with your siblings, making it difficult to achieve the same level of authority as the previous generation.
Teagan said, "Averi, don't change the subject. We're talking about how Milo can help you advance faster and higher."
"You figured it out," Averi shrugged, laughing openly and slyly, like a little girl whose prank had been discovered.
Teagan felt a wave of helplessness, sensing that she was being led around in circles by her daughter, with the conversation never landing on concrete points.
Teagan tried to shift the conversation, saying, "Averi, all this fuss you've made has only damaged your reputation and served no practical purpose. Since the Hebert family has chosen you, how could they possibly break off the engagement over such trivial matters? You, young as you are, are playing with your reputation. Look at all those who rush to do charity, how much tax they avoid—it's all for a good name. People want fame when they have money, it's human nature. You'll regret this someday."
Averi lowered her eyes, neither confirming nor denying.
Teagan pressed on, "After you get married, Milo can still send people to watch you twenty-four hours a day?" She hesitated, not wanting to be too blunt, then continued, "Averi, let this be enough. Don't joke with your future. Although your father has given up his shares, his influence remains. If something really happens, those old board members will still listen to him. You can't be careless."
After a long silence, Averi said, "Mom, I understand. I won't use family issues to seek attention anymore."
Teagan felt deeply relieved. Everyone has a rebellious phase, and this must be Averi's. But at the end of the day, she was a child with a sense of propriety.
From her behavior, it was clear that throughout the entire conversation, Averi remained calm, never shouting anything about refusing to marry anyone else, indicating that she understood her limits.
Teagan picked up her bag and stood up, saying, "I have an appointment tonight, I'll be going. You've been working hard recently, take good care of yourself."
Averi escorted her downstairs. Before parting ways, Teagan held Averi's hand and said, "Averi, you've always been my pride."
Averi nodded.
Looking into those calm eyes, Teagan felt a pang of disappointment. This wasn't the reaction she had expected; she thought her daughter would be more touched.
Years ago, she had stormed off and left her children behind to seek solitude in S Country. Upon returning this time, she found that one of her children had become a mess, while the other had become inscrutable…
In the car, Teagan sighed softly.
Back at the apartment, Dallas had already come out of the bedroom and was in the kitchen rinsing the dishes, placing them one by one into the dishwasher.
Averi wrapped her arms around his waist from behind, whispering, "I'm sorry," for making him hide like someone who shouldn't be seen.
Dallas shook his head, dried his hands, and turned to embrace her, "I understand, it's not the right time now."
Averi held him tighter, "Did you hear that?"
"I caught a bit of it."
How much was a bit? Would he think her attitude was ambiguous?
Dallas spoke first, his voice rough, "Is it really that hard without him?"
Averi paused for a moment, then realized he was talking about Milo. She whispered, "He is a shortcut, but relying on someone is risky. If the foundation crumbles or if the person disappears, depending on the Milo family might not be such a great idea. If he falls, the Forbes family won't just lose a few assets. And if I tie myself to him, who knows if the company will even remain under Forbes control. I could end up nothing more than a pawn in a bigger game."
Averi stroked his tense back, saying, "Dallas, I'm not saying this just to comfort you. Every choice comes with risks. In the past, I was willing to take these risks to expedite taking over the Forbes family, but now I'm not willing to." She strained to tilt her head back to meet his gaze, "Don't you trust me?"
Dallas immediately frowned.
"Don't deny it. I think you believe I can't hold the J Corporation on my own—that I need someone else's support to keep my position."
It was pure stubbornness, and Dallas had no defenses against it, so he held her tighter.
Averi said, "Dallas, with Milo, I can save some effort and secure the chairman position sooner. Without him, it'll just take a few more years and a little more work. It's only a matter of time."
She arched her slender eyebrow, a smirk on her lips, and a glimmer of natural pride sparkled in her dark eyes.
So dazzling—Dallas couldn't look away.
His gaze was so intense that it made Averi restless. She patted his arm, "We haven't even cleared the dishes yet."
Dallas said nothing and obediently released her.
Averi moved to the sink and turned on the faucet.
Dallas came up behind her again, his arm loosely wrapping around her waist, his lips brushing against the back of her neck.
Averi felt a shiver and tickle, pulling her neck in with a laugh, "Stop that."
Dallas didn't listen; he shifted from nuzzling to kissing, sparking fires along her skin, leaving Averi utterly distracted.
After a long moment, Dallas managed to say in a low, husky voice, "I love you."
Averi froze, her eyelashes fluttering as she asked casually, "What did you hear?"
Dallas didn't answer. He turned her by the shoulders, caging her between his arms and chest, bending down so they were eye-to-eye, nose-to-nose, a faint smile lifting his thin lips.
He must have heard everything, or he wouldn't be smiling like that.
Averi was nearly lost in the heat of his gaze, dazed, as he repeated, "Averi, I love you."
