Chapter 540 Idiots
Lewis retracted his gaze, then walked to the window with a blank mind. He gazed at the ground outside while taking out a notebook. His fingers grazed over the cracks on its cover, where he had glued every piece together. "We've wasted too much time."
Upon seeing that notebook, Conrad sighed. He knew long ago that Lewis' heart and focus were no longer on the company or Elysium.
Lewis was only temporarily staying here because he had some things he needed to do first.
Nancy and the others assumed Lewis was inactive in the past year because he still respected her.
She had no clue how little she knew about her son. After all, she had ruined Lewis' life. How could Lewis spare the primary culprit for his downfall that easily?
As for Sierra, she didn't go to a lawyer after receiving the document. Instead, she went to Nancy.
Yet, Nancy didn't want Sierra to inherit the company when she saw the equity transfer agreement.
She tactfully suggested, "Sierra, are you really accepting these shares when you've never run a company before?"
Sierra was confident as she replied, "I can learn. No one is great at managing a company at birth, right? Don't you support me, Mom?"
A thin smile flashed on Nancy's face. "Why wouldn't I? I was only worried since you just recovered, yet you're diving into a job with such high difficulty. Can your body handle it?
"Lewis leaves home early and comes home late since he inherited the company. Some days, he even stays overnight at the office. You can imagine how dedicated he is. It's not easy running a company." That made Sierra hesitate. "What should I do, then?"
Nancy replied, "You're a girl. You deserve to dress up nice daily and enjoy your life as a housewife. It's not right for you to manage a company."
Because the former hadn't gotten to the point, Sierra asked, "Are you implying that I should reject the shares?"
"No, that's unacceptable. Of course, you should accept it. Lewis doesn't deserve the shares if he won't marry you."
Sierra had lost her patience at that point.
Nancy answered, "There's 65% of shares in here. Me, Sophia, and Daphne can get 10% each because others may have an opinion against you if you take all of them."
Sierra found the former's words reasonable. "Okay, I'll return the percentage that belongs to you."
Even if she gave away 30% of the shares, she would still have 35%, which was enough for her. Nancy choked. "Sierra, perhaps you don't understand. Why don't I distribute the shares?"
Sierra became alert at once. Her eyes narrowed slightly at Nancy.
Nancy added, "You and Daphne are my daughters. Of course, there's also Sophia. You three are my dearest babies, yet I wronged you all those years ago. I want to make things up to you, so I don't want the shares anymore.
"You can divide them evenly among you and your sisters. Since you suffered the most, why don't you take 25% while your sisters get 20% each instead?"
She had planned out everything. Nancy had no use for the shares since she was older now. So, she handed her portion to her three daughters.
That way, at least one would look after her for the remainder of her life. Plus, it cleared her past wrongdoings in the eyes of others. She would get a better reputation.
Although Sierra was unwilling to accept that, she couldn't find a reason to refuse Nancy's distribution of shares.
Besides, she hadn't received the shares yet, so she couldn't risk having bad blood with Nancy now. After pondering it, she said, "Fine, but I have one condition." "What is it? Tell me, and I'll fulfill it as long as it's within my capabilities."
"I want you to host a press conference and admit to the public that I'm your daughter."
Nancy sighed. "Oh, that. Sure. I'll have someone organize it right away."
In truth, she felt it was time to give Sierra an identity. Soon enough, she contacted several major media outlets and planned to have the conference three days later. Conrad reported that to Lewis, who knelt and fed his dogs.
Lewis didn't bother reacting when he heard about the press conference. He continued holding the ham while watching Lucy and Ricky fight for it.
After three days, Nancy and Sierra dressed in grand outfits to attend the press conference. Yet, upon arrival, they and their entourage were the only people present No one else had shown up.
"What's going on?" Sierra asked.
Even Nancy was confused, so she turned to ask Murray, "Where's everyone? Are they late?"
"I'll ask around." Murray stepped aside to phone someone.
Ten minutes went by when he rushed back. "Madam Nancy, I-I couldn't reach anyone. Some of the outlets claimed to be busy and couldn't send anyone over." Although it was common for one media outlet to be busy, it was too much of a coincidence for all media outlets to be understaffed. Even an idiot could tell someone was behind this. Sierra hurled her microphone onto the ground out of anger. "What the fuck is the meaning of this?"
Nancy was furious yet also nervous. She wondered if Lewis now had the power to control all of Elysium's media outlets.
The two hesitated whether to leave when the doors to the venue opened.
Sierra was overjoyed, but her smile faltered when she looked up and saw Lewis. She and Nancy then met each other's eyes as they wondered why he had come.
Lewis casually strolled toward the
front-row seat before sitting down.
While doing so, he shot the two on
stage a half-smile. The women in glamorous outfits stood on stage by themselves like idiots.
"Did you do this, Lewis?" Nancy interrogated.
"What are you saying, Madam Nancy? I came to support you out of goodwill." Lewis pretended not to understand her.
He looked around and asked, "Isn't this a press conference? Why isn't anyone showing up?"
Nancy frowned when she heard how he had addressed her. She stormed before Lewis but suppressed her anger while questioning, "What nonsense are you up to?" "Sorry, Madam Nancy, I don't understand what you mean."
"Lewis, I know you're doing this because you're afraid I'll reveal your identity Sierra and I have already discussed it. I'll only announce that she's my biological daughteI won't reveal your actual background."
Lewis cocked a brow. "Does that mean I should be grateful to you?"
"I've raised you for years. Even if I didn't sacrifice much, I deserve some credit for it, right?"
Lewis' gaze darkened while his smile turned frosty. "Do you think my life would be worse than it is now if you hadn't switched me and Sierra at birth?"
Nancy was at a loss for words. In truth, Lewis' original identity had a decent social standing. If she hadn't switched the two, perhaps Lewis would achieve better things now. Still, she boldly explained, "Yes, I admit to swapping your places out of selfishness. But I never mistreated you, right? Would you be the man you are today without my guidance?" "Then, tell me this. If you hadn't swapped your daughter for me, would you still have the chance to become the renowned Mrs. Alvarez and stand here today?" Lewis challenged. Nancy was starting to boil with rage. "What's the use in saying this now when you've already grown up?"
Lewis shot a bland look at her. "Don't you still want the shares?"
"I ... Didn't you willingly hand them over?"
Lewis' smirk deepened, which gave Nancy a sense of foreboding. She asked, "Why are you smiling?"
Lewis turned his head to the side. "Did you guys get that on camera?"
As he said so, the red curtains around them dropped to reveal countless reporters. Their cameras aimed in Nancy's direction.