Did you know that in this universe, there are only twenty-nine won worth more than $10 billion? And get this. I'm sohow related, to my knowledge, to five of them.
I could be related to more than five but as I'm sure you know, I'm not particularly close enough to the Voss family to know the na of every mber of the extended family.
Now, for the won worth more than $10 billion, my first step sister, worth $70 billion, is the richest of the five. Then, there's her sister, my second step sister, who is worth $50 billion.
There's my father's, current wife and mother of my youngest step sister. My third step sister is also in the list and finally, we have Clarisse Newton. Previously worth around $30 billion. Now, who knows?
Anyways, with five removed out of the twenty-nine, we're left with twenty-four. Out of those remaining, fifteen are married.
As you surely already know my principles, those fifteen are already targets I won't chase. If the cashback system assigns them to , that's money I won't chase. Like Alia Ward.
Now, we've got nine remaining won who can give $100 billion with a single stamp. Out of those nine, four were old won. The kind of old that I'm not even sure I'll be able to seduce.
All that's left are five single won. Or at least, I think they're single. All I needed to do is to co in contact with them within the next 4 years and see if they're one of the 99 stamp holders.
But right now, my focus is on Clarisse. After spending a few days in the house, I'd co to see that she spent most of her ti in her ho office. The only tis she ca out was during breakfast and dinner or when she had an outing.
If I wanted to gain her stamp, I had to create an opportunity by myself. And that, ladies and gentlen, is why I'm currently invading her private space like an entitled little bitch. I wouldn't try this thod if I wasn't so sure she'd not really be offended. After all, I'd done it the first day I arrived as a test and her reaction had been… not so bad.
Don't worry. This ti, I wasn't so rude. I knocked once, sharply, but didn't wait for a reply before stepping in. And yes, the knock is the only improvent from last ti.
This ti, she was also sitting behind her desk but instead of writing, she was typing into her computer. Wasn't she retired? Only God knows what she did in here.
She looked up from her desk as I entered, her eyes narrowing slightly. Before she could voice her displeasure, I raised the tray in my hands.
"Peace offering." I said, making sure she could see the two steaming cups of coffee sitting on the tray. "I figured you'd appreciate sothing strong to start your day."
She stared at for a mont before leaning back in her chair and crossing her arms. "You seem awfully confident barging in here uninvited."
"I figured you'd like that about ." I replied with a grin, setting the tray down on her desk. I slid one cup toward her, sitting down across from her without waiting for an invitation. I'm doing that an awful lot nowadays. But don't worry, it's working.
Case in point, she arched an eyebrow at my actions but picked up the cup. She took a slow sip, her eyes still on , waiting.
"While I'd like to be here for pleasure, I'm afraid I'll have to talk business for now. I've got updates." I said, leaning back in my chair and crossing one leg over the other. "The shell companies are up and running. Everything's in place. All that's left is to start shaking things up and push the share price down."
Clarisse nodded, setting her cup down on a coaster. "And you're sure no one will trace it back to us?"
"Completely airtight." I said confidently. "The companies are owned through a daisy chain of jurisdictions. By the ti anyone tries to unravel it, they'll be drowning in a sea of paperwork."
Her lips curved into a smile at my words. "Good. I assu you've already prepared the first moves?"
"Of course." I said confidently, as if just by speaking, my words co to fruition. "But I thought it only polite to update you first. And besides," I paused, my gaze drifting down to her beautiful breasts wrapped and covered in her blazer, "I couldn't resist the chance to see you."
Clarisse paused for half a second, then, slowly, she leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms.
"Are you flirting with , Nicholas?" She asked, her expression neutral but I could hear the curiosity in her voice.
I tilted my head, a slow smile spreading across my face. She wasn't reacting negatively to the idea of flirting with her. That's a plus. Let's see what happens next. "Would it be so wrong if I were?" I asked.
Her eyes narrowed slightly at my words, but there was no real anger in them. "I suppose you think you're charming enough to get away with that." Okay, she definitely wasn't averse to the idea.
"I don't think it." I said, holding her gaze confidently. "I know it."
Fake it till you make it, rember?
Her laugh was soft, almost indulgent. "And why, exactly, would you try to flirt with ? What do you hope to gain, Nicholas?"
"Do I need to have a reason?" I countered, leaning forward. "You're a brilliant, powerful, and beautiful woman. Why wouldn't I?"
She studied for a long mont, as if she could see my intentions from beneath my skin or sothing. Then she picked up her coffee again, taking a sip before setting it back down.
"You're bold." She said, amusent on her face. Not quite the best outco but I'll take it. "I'll give you that. But be careful, Nicholas. I don't tolerate distractions."
"And I wouldn't dream of distracting you." I replied with a grin. She wasn't shooting down completely. This ans, sothing could still happen. "But if I've managed to make you smile, even just a little, I'd say that's a win."
Her lips quirked as if she wanted to smile, but she quickly controlled her expression. "Focus on the plan, Nicholas. I don't have ti for gas."
"Who said I was playing?" I asked, standing up and straightening my jacket. "I'll let you get back to work. Just thought you might appreciate the company, and the coffee."
She didn't reply, but her eyes followed as I walked to the door. Just as I reached for the handle, her voice stopped .
"Nicholas."
I turned, raising an eyebrow. "Yes?"
"Don't get ahead of yourself." She said, her tone cool but her expression serious. "If you're not careful, you'll find yourself playing a ga you can't win."
I smirked. "That's the difference between us, Clarisse. I don't play gas I can't win."
Without waiting for a response, I stepped out, leaving her to think about whatever chess move she thought she'd made. Whatever happens, I'll make sure to have my cake and eat it too.
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