Maeve was dressed even more elegantly than before, yet her attitude was still the same, as she actively brought Averi a glass of water.
After thanking her, Averi said, "You've been thoughtful. Dad looks happy."
When she arranged for Cristopher to come to France, Averi had certainly wondered if Maeve might try to harm Cristopher in order to escape sooner. Seeing Cristopher today, Averi was secretly surprised to realize just how dedicated Maeve had been.
Maeve said, "It's what I should do. I've always remembered that I'm the old chairman's attendant."
Having encountered so many people with sky-high ambitions, meeting someone like Maeve left Averi somewhat speechless.
The evening breeze was gentle, and the faint scent of flowers lingered in the air under the soft moonlight. Maeve took the initiative to say, "Averi, I sincerely appreciate the old chairman."
She knew how others viewed her, and she didn't deny that her motives weren't entirely pure, but she truly cared for Cristopher, even if it wasn't love.
Averi asked softly, "Aren't you resentful?"
She was still so young, while Cristopher was already old, too lazy to even bother with the tricks of wooing a woman. He couldn't fulfill Maeve's longing for love, nor could he satisfy her desires.
Maeve shook her head. "Averi, before met with Cristopher, I also worked as a caregiver for others. When a person's body isn't well, their mood is hardly ever good." She paused for a moment, then quietly added, "To meet someone like the old chairman, who is so understanding, I feel very fortunate. As for anything else, I never even dared to think about it before. Averi, the only thing I can offer is my youth, but youth is something everyone has..."
After a pause, Maeve seemed to wake up from a dream and awkwardly said, "I shouldn't be telling you this."
Averi smiled slightly and said, "You get what you deserve, Maeve. As long as you keep your word, I'll keep mine."
The positions they occupied meant they could never have a deep conversation. If the roles were reversed, Averi might have admired Maeve. But there were no "ifs" in this world, and their only connection was Cristopher.
Maeve whispered, "Averi, I will."
In the room, the two who were playing chess still hadn't reached a conclusion. Cristopher was showing signs of fatigue, but he stubbornly refused to stop.
Averi persuaded, "Dad, leave the game for tomorrow. You can finish it then."
Only then did Cristopher nod, letting Averi push him into the room. Cristopher left to get the medicine, with only the two of them in the room, Cristopher suddenly spoke up. 'His name is Dallas, right? He's trying to take over my territory, being so bold and reckless.' Though he said this, there was a smile on his face. "You know, third one, you really are the most like me. The people you choose are pretty much the same."
With the perspective of someone who had been through it all, Cristopher warned her, "Dating's one thing, but marriage is a whole different ball game. Averi, you need to really think this through."
Averi didn't respond, her expression still gentle. When Maeve returned, she quietly said, "Dad, you should rest early." With that, she stood up and left, quietly closing the door behind her.
Cristopher pointed to the door and said to Maeve, "See? Does he think I can't see through it? Trying to challenge me?"
Maeve sat beside him, smiling as she handed him the medicine and water.
Outside the room, Dallas was waiting for Averi.
"Am I not supposed to take this too seriously?" he asked.
Averi's gaze was sly. "You should take it this seriously."
That morning, after breakfast, Cristopher kept thinking about the chess game. He invited Dallas to continue, and just before lunch, they finally decided a winner. Cristopher barely won.
Cristopher laughed heartily, in a good mood, and his appetite was good. During the meal, he casually asked Dallas what he was doing now, if he was still a bodyguard. When he learned that Dallas was in graduate school, he nodded and said, "No harm in studying more."
It was clear that Cristopher had a good impression of Dallas, but when it came to his relationship with Averi, he remained noncommittal.
Averi couldn't stay for long. On the third day, she flew back to J City.
She had planned to wait until Dallas's winter break to bring him to visit Cristopher, taking it slow. However, Cristopher didn't give her that chance.
In November, while Averi was in a meeting, Jordan knocked and interrupted, leaning in to whisper in her ear, "Averi, there's a call from France."
Averi vaguely realized what was happening and immediately called off the meeting, returning to her office to take the call.
On the other end of the line, Maeve said, "Averi, dad has passed away."
Averi pressed her lips together, silent for a few seconds, then asked, "When?"
"Last night."
"Alright, I understand. Wait for my instructions. Make sure the doctor keeps Dad's... remains safe."
Averi made a call back to the old house, instructing the butler to notify the others, including Laila, who was in V Country.
That evening, everyone except Laila and Lawson gathered at the old house to discuss the arrangements. Since Cristopher had been rushed to the emergency room for the second time, everyone had already mentally prepared for this day.
Averi suggested holding the funeral in France, but to her surprise, the usually mild-mannered Johnathan strongly opposed, insisting that Cristopher's body be brought back to the country. He wanted a small private ceremony at the old house before the public farewell, and for him to be buried alongside Yoselin.
Averi agreed.
Johnathan seemed surprised by her quick agreement, pausing for a moment before slowly sitting back down on the sofa.
Mareli was preoccupied with what Cristopher had left to Maeve, fearing she might take her share, and she was visibly anxious throughout the meeting. Although she wasn't happy with Johnathan's proposal, she kept her thoughts to herself.
Before parting ways, Johnathan looked at Averi with complex emotions and quietly said, "Thank you."
"Johnathan, hold off on the thanks for now. I've got a few things I need from you."
"What kind of requests?"
"After the funeral, Laila has to return to Vietnam. Also, I'd like you to give the thank-you speech at the funeral."
Johnathan didn't hesitate and simply agreed, "Okay."
Averi said, "Johnathan, thank you. The company can't handle any more upheavals right now."
Johnathan waved his hand. "I'm not doing this for the company. Burying him with Dad is Mom's last wish. Don't worry, Laila knows about this. For Mom's sake, she won't cause any trouble."
Averi told Teagan about the plan to bury them together, then shared the "deal" she had made with Johnathan. Teagan was silent for a long time, but in the end, said nothing.
From the preparation of the funeral to announcing the date to the public, it took over a month. Cristopher's body was shipped back from France to the mansion, then to the public memorial hall. Since they were making a grand event of it, the funeral was no longer just a simple farewell—it had turned into a PR campaign. During the ceremony, Averi was in charge of reading the condolences, while Johnathan gave the thank-you speech on behalf of the family. The succession of leadership was clear, with no more uncertainties.
In January of the following year, Averi finally found time to sit down and talk with Mareli.
Cristopher had left Mareli mostly real estate and bond funds, with only 5% of the company shares going to Santino.
Averi suggested buying 3% of the shares at a price above market value and setting up a trust fund for Santino. Mareli seemed to fear that Averi was trying to take something from her and said she needed to think about it before quickly leaving.
She hesitated for a long time, consulting with her lawyer before finally calling Averi to decline the offer, refusing to meet in person.
Averi smiled and calmly said, "Alright."
She hung up the phone, leaned back into her chair, and stared quietly at the ceiling. Pushing off the floor with her feet, she spun the chair around in a full circle, then stood up, headed home, and went straight into Dallas's arms.
"What's wrong?" Dallas noticed something was off and pulled her closer, asking. His hand brushed against her sharp shoulder blade, and he felt a pang of pain. She had lost so much weight recently.
Averi sighed. "Dallas, I won't be able to retire before I'm forty. Santino's 5% isn't too much, nor too little—it's just enough to get me into the board. Cristopher has already figured it out."
"Tired?"
Averi didn't say whether she was tired or not. Instead, she smiled and said, "Fighting alongside others is always rewarding."
Dallas gently kissed her hair and tightened his embrace.
He wouldn't advise her to give up, because this was her—the person he loved.
