Chapter 3
"Natalia, don't push your luck. Winnie says the mattress in the guest room is so hard it's wrecking her back. And there's radiation in there, too—if she stays, she'll start losing her hair. She's sick, so you need to give in to her," Charlie snapped.
The System chimed in right on cue. [Winnie's lie has become reality. The guest room mattress is now ten times harder, and the room is filled with strong radiation—anyone staying there will lose their hair fast.]
I almost burst out laughing.
Winnie would spin any story just to snatch the master bedroom back.
If she were so into the guest room, let her really enjoy it.
I stepped aside and gestured for her to go ahead.
"Alright, if Winnie thinks the guest room is full of radiation and she'll go bald, then let her have the master bedroom. I'll move into the guest room," I said.
Louisa let out a cold snort. "Good, you finally get it. Now grab your stuff and move already."
Without a fuss, I tossed a few clothes into a bag and headed for the guest room.
Early the next morning, Charlie brought Winnie back to the Dawson family, cradling her like she was made of glass.
Her head was wrapped in bandages, her face ghostly pale, and she looked like she could barely stand.
When she saw me coming out of the guest room, a glint of satisfaction flashed in Winnie's eyes.
"Natalia, thanks for giving up the master bedroom for me. I didn't get any sleep at the hospital last night. All I want is to crash for a bit," Winnie said.
I smiled and nodded.
"Go ahead, the master bedroom's soft mattress is just right for someone with terminal brain cancer like you. I'll tough it out in the guest room—radiation and hair loss? Not a big deal for me," I said.
Winnie's expression shifted. She clearly hadn't expected me to call her out on her lies from last night.
Charlie shot me a vicious glare.
"Natalia, shut up. Winnie needs to rest. If you dare upset her again, I swear I'll make you pay," he snapped.
He carried Winnie into the master bedroom and slammed the door shut behind them.
I shrugged and headed downstairs for breakfast.
Eduard and Louisa were sitting at the dining table, and when they saw me come down, their faces turned sour.
"You didn't even call Winnie for breakfast? Do you even care about your sister?" Louisa snapped, slamming her fork down on the table.
I took a sip of my milk.
"Isn't she supposed to be resting? People with terminal brain cancer need to be left alone—so let's not bother her," I said.
Eduard frowned. "Winnie needs some special medication, but it's not available here. I'm planning to contact some specialists overseas. The costs are pretty steep, and the company's cash flow is really strained lately."
He looked at me, clearly wanting to say something but holding back.
I knew exactly what he was getting at.
When I returned to the Dawson family, my grandfather's will went into effect, transferring ten percent of the Dawson Group's shares to me.
Eduard was clearly after my shares now.
"Dad, don't tell me you want me to sell my shares to pay for Winnie's treatment?" I cut straight to the chase.
Eduard cleared his throat and said, "Winnie's doing this for the family. She promised that as long as she gets better, she'll even let you have the Dawson Group's future inheritance rights."
The System chimed in. [Winnie's lie has become reality. Winnie has voluntarily given up all inheritance rights to the Dawson family fortune.]
I was practically grinning inside.
Winnie would say anything just to scam money with her fake illness.
I said, setting my glass down, "Alright.
"Since Winnie's being so sincere, I'll sell my shares to pay for her treatment. But just saying it isn't enough. She needs to sign a written agreement giving up her inheritance rights."
Eduard and Louisa exchanged glances, both looking at me like I was heartless.
"Natalia, Winnie's so sick, and you're still making her sign some agreement? Do you even have a heart?" Louisa snapped.
"If she doesn't want to sign, then forget it. It's not like terminal brain cancer can be cured. Why throw money away?" I said, getting up to leave.
"Wait," Eduard shouted, stopping me in my tracks.
He clenched his jaw, clearly struggling with the decision.
"I'll get her to sign it," he said.
Half an hour later, Eduard returned and handed me the signed agreement.
I read through it carefully, made sure everything was in order, and then put it away.
"Where's the money?" Eduard asked, holding out his hand.
I pulled out my phone and called my assistant.
"Sell my ten percent stake in the Dawson Group at market price to Mr. Bryce Bush from the rival company," I said.
Eduard's eyes went wide, and he shot to his feet.
"Are you out of your mind? You're selling the shares to the Bush Group? They're the Dawson Group's biggest rivals," he shouted.
I gave him an innocent look. "Dad, didn't you say you needed the money fast? Mr. Bush offered the highest price and promised the quickest payment.
"If it's for Winnie, I guess I have to sacrifice family for the greater good."
Eduard was so mad he nearly lost it.
He pointed at me, his finger shaking, but couldn't get a single word out.
Louisa lunged at me, trying to snatch my phone.
I stepped back, sidestepping her.
"Mom, what are you doing? I'm just trying to save Winnie here. Or are you saying the Dawson Group shares matter more to you than Winnie's life?" I shot back.
Louisa was completely stunned, lost for words.
Suddenly, a loud scream came from upstairs.
It was Winnie.
Charlie burst out of the master bedroom, looking totally panicked, and yelled down the stairs, "Mr. and Mrs. Dawson, get up here. Something's wrong with Winnie."