Who is she compared to me? Jennifer thought with cold superiority. Charles was just an old man on borrowed time. Any of Madilyn's outside children would never get a chance to reclaim their place. Arthur was destined to remain CEO of Myers Group, and she would make sure everyone knew she was the future lady of the house. A restless energy was building in the ballroom. The mood had been set, and it was time to push it further. "Mr. Lewis," Jennifer called out, her voice sweetly carrying across the room. "Weren't you going to make a special announcement? You've got us all wondering. The suspense is killing everyone!" Her interjection successfully pulled the crowd's focus back to Scott. She was right. Even before the gala began, word had spread that Scott had major news to share. Chloe being the Lewis heiress was old news. That she was being formally appointed VP, shedding her "acting" title, was also widely expected. So what was this other big revelation? The prevailing theory was that Scott intended to hand over control of Lewis Group to Chloe. Given her recent spectacular success, it made sense. It was a move everyone would understand. Which made Chloe's absence all the more baffling. The Lewis Group shareholders held their tongues, but representatives from other families began to voice their impatience. "Mr. Lewis, this is a celebration," one business leader said, his tone pointed. "But how can we celebrate when the guest of honor isn't here? I think many of us came hoping to meet the legendary Chloe Lewis—the business prodigy. Now it seems we'll be leaving disappointed." "She's clearly not coming." "Keeping all these people waiting is poor form." "If she's not showing up, let's just enjoy the dinner and call it a night." "Frankly, it feels disrespectful. Her absence insults every guest here." Seeing the crowd's irritation reaching a peak, Monique saw her opening. She reached for Scott's arm, ready to play her final card. "Scott," she said, her voice soft with feigned concern. "Everyone is waiting for your big announcement. The rumor going around is that you're planning to give Lewis Group to Chloe."She paused, lowering her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "I know we owe her a debt. If that's truly your decision, I'll stand by it. But the group has been your life's work. I just don't want to see it thrown away. Please... think this through." "Mom, don't cry," Carolyn interjected on cue, moving to Scott's other side. She took his arm supportively. "Dad, if you want to give everything to my sister, it's okay. I don't want any of it. I just want you and Mom to be happy and well. That's all that matters to me." Carolyn's words painted her as the selfless, understanding daughter—untainted by greed or ambition. The contrast was stark: here stood the innocent, devoted sister, while the celebrated "goddess" of the hour couldn't even be bothered to show up. By now, her absence felt like a deliberate snub to everyone present. Gordon, the Lewis Group board member who had once clashed with Chloe but had since become one of her staunchest admirers, could stay silent no longer. He stepped forward. "Ms. Lewis isn't someone who disregards her responsibilities. She must be facing a serious situation to miss this." "A situation?" Ernesto repeated, a taunting lilt in his voice. "That's an interesting choice of word, Gordon. As I recall, you were her biggest critic not long ago. What changed so drastically? Or have you and Ms. Lewis... grown closer privately?" The insinuation hit its mark. Gordon's face flushed red. "That's outrageous, Ernesto! I am not that kind of man!" "What kind of man?" Ernesto raised his brows in mock innocence. "I didn't specify anything." Gordon flustered, then gathered himself. "There is nothing improper between Ms. Lewis and me. She has proven her worth through action. She guided the company's strategy and secured the 50-billion-dollar investment that saved this firm. As a shareholder who has agonized over this company's future for years, I have nothing but respect for someone who could solve our most critical problems so decisively. Is that so hard to believe?"