Chapter 83: Anger.

(Nina’s POV)

Did Amelie have a grudge against me? I don’t think that we needed to make the accident that believable… Well, if a few sprains and bruises are what I have to endure to ensure the safety of my mother, then I do not mind that much.

Though, as expected of Vale, she still hasn’t shown up at all. As my only living relative, the hospital, or rather, Amelie, specifically contacted about my accident.

Funnily enough, Amelie said that when she mentioned me getting in an accident, Vale sounded very, very happy about it. Her happiness didn’t last long, as Amelie informed her that I got out of the accident with only minor injuries.

Though Vale wouldn’t have wanted me to die. Instead, she would just want me to be unable to be chairman of our family and companies. As, in the event of my crippling, she would be next in line for being chairman. Of course, that is just in that specific case, mind you.

Vale did say that she was going to come visit me, but I have been here for almost an entire day… Not that I wanted her to show up, as Vale is the worst person I know. Rather, I needed her to show up, so that she can see that I didn’t care about Ria.

For why… I guess it would be just to piss her off. But my plan to upset her isn’t going to work… if the damn woman never shows up in the first place! Oh, great. Now she’s shown up…

Vale: “Oh, my dear daughter! I am so sorry that it took me so long to visit you. I was so busy with work, so I didn’t look at my phone…” She said with tears going down her face.

Who does Vale think that she is fooling? As far as I am aware, this woman hasn’t been to the office in years. In fact, after killing my mother and father, Vale has just been living the high life.

Nina: “I don’t mind, mother. I know that you’re very busy.” I say with a smile.

The most annoying part of this act would have been my false relationship with Vale. That woman has tried on several occasions to off me. That is, until she figured out that I technically own our businesses…

Early on, she wouldn’t even look my way. Now, she acts like a loving mother. In her mind, as long as she treats me well, then I won’t ever realize that Vale actually isn’t in control of our family.

Vale: “I am glad that you were only slightly hurt but…” She said, cutting her words off intentionally.

Nina: “But?” I repeat.

Vale: “That maid of yours…” She added.

Nina: “Which one?” I ask with a head tilt.

Vale: “I believe that her name was Ria, or something like that.” She answered.

Nina: “Sorry, Mom. That isn’t really ringing any bells.” I reply with a confused expression.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

Vale: “…”

Clicking her tongue, she decided to not pester me about Ria. Instead, she just spent a few hours pretending to care about me. At the end of it, I was released from the hospital, and was now back in my room.

Nina: “…”

Sitting on my bed, I picked up my phone. Being rich has many, many benefits. My previous phone was destroyed in that car crash. But I have countless replacement ones, all with my data synced on them as well.

This was a double-edge sword, though. With this data backup and syncing, it meant that it was quite easy for anyone, specifically Vale and the other maids, to get my data. Which meant that my phone, despite how useful it would be, was mostly used as a false entertainment device.

Even now, I lament at how annoying this is. Nothing important, that is, nothing that could reveal my true intentions and knowledge, could be hosted on my phone. This meant that I couldn’t contact Ria, Amelie, or anyone else that I secretly talk to on it.

With a sigh, I went to the bathroom and started the bath and shower water. There wasn’t any surveillance tech in the bathroom, as Vale wasn’t that evil. But I could still be heard by the microphones in my room, unless I was quiet. Like what I did with Ria yesterday.

Nina: “Are there any changes at the company?” I ask with a serious tone.

Smartphones are a bad choice for me, but luckily they sell ones that are cheap and hard to track. I find it ironic, having to use a device and service that many criminals typically use…

Charlie: “If you think that woman would show up here… well, you’d be wrong. I have no idea where she went today, and neither do you. But at the very least, she didn’t show up here.” She denied.

Nina: “And, on paper, I still control it all, right?” I ask.

Charlie: “Why wouldn’t you? Only the current chairmen has access to those documents, and Miss Vale is only the chairmen in title alone.” She also denied.

Nina: “I am starting to think that there is another reason why she doesn’t go to work…” I say with a sigh.

Charlie: “Oh, but there is. I can’t believe that I’ve never bragged to you about this…” She replied.

Nina: “…You’ve got my attention.” I reply.

Charlie: “The move that she pulled… That being, killing your mother, seducing your father, and then having him marry her. All just for Vale to have him killed, not even months later… None of us are stupid, Nina.” She said with a scoff.

Nina: “So?” I reply.

Charlie: “Basically speaking, all the employees here are loyal to your family, and your family alone. Not to mention, but your father and the previous chairman's all treated us very well.” She replied.

Nina: “…”

Charlie: “No one would listen to her orders, so she couldn’t do anything, and still can’t. That’s why she never goes to work. And if you’re wondering, yes. She did, in fact, try to install her own people. But we would always find excuses to fire them.” She continued, ending her explanation with a laugh.

Hanging up the call and re-hiding the cheap phone, I left my bathroom. Of course, that was only after I turned off the water. I might hate Vale, but this estate is mine and will belong to me once she is dead. As such, I cannot just destroy it for no reason.

Vale is the chairmen on the surface, but she does not work as one at all, as no one trusts her. But she does have access and control over our family bank accounts. It is just lucky that she doesn’t have access to the accounts of our various businesses.

In the end, the two of us are at an impasse. Both want to kill the other, but doing so would be bad. For example, if I die, then control over the family and businesses would be given to a branch family. At the same time, me killing Vale without a good plan wouldn’t be good for me at all.

I have to attribute this unlucky situation for Vale, on her own lack of restraint. If she didn’t kill my father off so quickly, she would have been able to take it all over.

But now, due to her hasty actions, Vale is in a complete stalemate. To the point where she has decided just to make me suffer.

Perhaps in boredom or frustration, I do not fully know. Originally, I didn’t plan on killing her. But since she had decided to kill, or at least injure Ria, I will kill her. Not only did she kill my birth mother before I knew her well, but she also tried to kill my adoptive one. For almost over twenty years, this woman has wasted so much time with her arrogance…