Chapter 378

• Under the harsh glare of the boardroom’s ceiling lights, I carefully counted the banknotes every last cent accounted for. This was the full amount of The Gilded Tower’s profits over the years, untouched and intact. Along with the crisp bills, I accepted the loose change casually handed over.
• Jessica’s eyes flickered with a barely contained fury as she watched me tally the numbers with precision. Yet, beneath it all, I could tell there was a reluctant relief settling over her. At least, for now, the dispute was contained.
• “Tomorrow, we’ll move forward with selling the shop,” I announced, my voice steady. “I’ll have someone discreetly circulate that Aunt Hazel and Jessica have been managing the business. With your names attached, we should attract serious buyers. We’ll set a minimum asking price of $250,000. How does that sound?”