Chapter 647
After wrestling with his thoughts for several long moments, Raymond released a heavy sigh. “Adah, you must consider the full implications of this decision.”
Though it was their first meeting, Adah sensed genuine paternal concern radiating from Raymond. She graced him with a grateful smile that transformed her plain features. “Mr. Shaw, I’ve thought it through. Allan really isn’t my type, and I already have someone I like.”
This revelation ignited a wildfire of curiosity throughout the room. Everyone leaned forward slightly, desperate to discover what manner of man could possibly captivate this unsophisticated country girl.
Even Allan felt his interest sharpen to a razor’s edge. Seated beside Adah, he fixed her with a penetrating stare but maintained his silence. Given the opportunity, he would relish the chance to observe this mysterious sweetheart in person. Although
she possessed unremarkable features and displayed considerable naivety, her refreshingly direct and decisive nature had begun to intrigue him against his better judgment.
Raymond had no alternative but to accept it with a reluctant nod. “Very well, since you feel no affection for Allan and have already given your heart elsewhere, I won’t persist in this futile endeavor. The engagement shall be dissolved, but the Shaw family will compensate you.”
With practiced efficiency, Raymond produced his checkbook and inscribed a sum that would stagger the gathered crowd before extending it toward Adah. “This represents the Shaw family’s compensation for the terminated engagement—one billion dollars.”
Adah’s eyes widened as she absorbed the astronomical figure, her heart pounding with renewed amazement. The Shaw family’s reputation for extraordinary wealth was clearly well-deserved—every member displayed such breathtaking generosity! She had felt no moral qualms about accepting Allan’s money or Eleanor’s, but Raymond’s genuine kindness made her hesitate to take his money.
“Mr. Shaw, this doesn’t seem right,” Adah murmured with carefully crafted shyness. “I don’t need money, and since I’m the one requesting the engagement’s termination, accepting compensation from your family seems fundamentally wrong.”
Allan shot her a sideways glance, his internal voice dripping with cynicism. This cunning little actress was performing her role as the modest, principled maiden for his grandfather’s benefit. Anyone witnessing this display without prior knowledge might actually believe she possessed noble character and disdained material wealth, completely unaware that she had already collected 2.1 billion in compensation for breaking off this very engagement!
Eleanor’s eyes rolled skyward as she witnessed Adah’s theatrical performance, thinking the girl demonstrated remarkable skill at deception. If Adah hadn’t extorted a billion dollars from her earlier, she might have fallen for this innocent charade.
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Adah deliberately ignored the scornful glances from Allan and Eleanor, maintaining her carefully constructed image as the dutiful, humble girl for Raymond’s consumption.
Raymond’s expression softened with warmth. “Adah, you possess far too much consideration for others, exactly like your beloved mother in her youth! Listen carefully, child—a young woman doesn’t need to be so sensible. It’s perfectly acceptable to embrace occasional selfishness and willfulness, or life will crush you.”
Your spirit.” He pressed the check firmly into Adah’s reluctant hands. “Accept this money without further protest. If you continue to refuse my generosity, you’ll cause me genuine distress.”
Faced with such heartfelt insistence, Adah had no choice but to surrender gracefully. “Your kindness overwhelms me, Mr. Shaw.”
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