CHAPTER 14: CHAPTER 14: ONE BILLION US DOLLARS

Summer watched Clarissa Stanton’s back as she was escorted upstairs by Stella Monroe, her eyes devoid of sympathy, instead flickering with a faint, sharp cold light.

It seemed that slap from Stella Monroe was well worth it.

However, this would be the last time Stella Monroe could hit her.

After Clarissa Stanton went upstairs, Henry Stanton walked up to Summer and said, "Sadie, I remember your nickname is Sadie, right?"

Summer nodded. Her nickname sounded like the word "Shan" in Clarissa Stanton’s name, and she was starting to dislike it.

"Alright, Sadie."

Henry Stanton sighed, looking troubled as he began to speak, "Your sister has been spoiled by me and did such a horrible thing, I am responsible too. I was going to call the police, but she is your sister after all, we are a family. Besides, nothing happened to you, and she suffered the consequences herself. Let’s just leave it at that. We’ll act like nothing happened, but I’ll make sure to discipline her in private, and I’ll make it up to you, okay?"

Summer’s hand hidden in her pajama sleeve slowly clenched.

What did he mean by "nothing happened to her"?

If she really had been bitten by the snake, Clarissa Stanton would surely have already arranged everything, without alerting anyone.

By dawn, her body would have been as cold as ice, and Henry Stanton actually wanted to act as if nothing happened, only to confine Clarissa Stanton for a month?

At that moment, Summer understood Henry Stanton’s true nature even more clearly.

As long as it didn’t harm his own interests, he wouldn’t easily give up on Clarissa Stanton.

After all, an extra daughter meant an extra bargaining chip to climb the social ladder.

Henry Stanton was a truly self-interested person.

Summer couldn’t comprehend why her mother would fall for such a person.

Summer’s heart turned cold, and any last shred of familial affection for Henry Stanton vanished completely.

However, on the surface, she showed no emotion, instead displaying a considerate smile, nodding obediently as she said, "I’m not sure what to do, whatever you say, Dad. My sister is still young, I won’t blame her. I’ll pretend nothing happened and continue to be good sisters with her. I just hope she doesn’t harbor any resentment over this."

"Don’t worry, I’ll make sure she forgets about this too. No one will mention it again, and you two will definitely get along harmoniously."

"We will." Summer curved her lips into a smile, revealing shallow dimples on both cheeks.

Anyone who saw her would think she was pure and sensible.

Henry Stanton sighed in relief, then felt genuinely happy.

Not only was his daughter beautiful, but she also bore no grudges and listened to him very well.

This daughter was even more obedient than he thought, obedience was good, best if controllable...

"It’s getting late, you must have been frightened too, go back for an early rest. Let me know if you need anything, I will satisfy all your needs." Henry Stanton was in a great mood, unusually generous compared to his usual stingy self, giving Summer an additional card.

"This card has another one million, plus the one million I gave you, you can spend these two million freely. Once you’ve spent them, come to me. You can’t continue to live like you did in the countryside, now you must have the demeanor of a Stanton daughter. Tomorrow, I’ll have the butler take you shopping for clothes."

"Thank you, Dad, you’re so kind!"

Henry Stanton’s vanity was greatly satisfied, and any displeasure caused by Clarissa Stanton’s mischief was swept away as he hummed a Beijing opera tune while heading upstairs.

Back in her room, the sensible and obedient smile disappeared from Summer’s face without a trace.

As foolish as Clarissa Stanton was, she still had Stella Monroe guarding her, while she had nothing.

She only had herself.

Summer’s palm slowly clenched as she lay powerlessly on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.

Maybe being alone wasn’t so bad...

Besides, she wasn’t truly alone, her parents abroad treated her very well, and she had a brother who depended on her greatly.

Her brother must have missed her dearly during this time she’s been away.

But to keep them from getting entangled in this web, she had to temporarily cut off contact with them.

However, just thinking about her brother made Summer’s lips unconsciously curl into a gentle arc.

Just then, her phone rang.

Summer answered, it was a friend from M Country.

"SAN, how have you been lately?" The other party spoke with a London accent.

"I’m doing well, Vincent. In fact, I’ve just returned to my family home here, though I’ve encountered a small issue, it’s been resolved. Is there something you need?"

Summer spoke, her English fluent and pure, like a native speaker.

The other party, slightly embarrassed, said, "You know, I’m working on an island project, but the expenses in the later stages are massive, I’ve run into some funding issues and was wondering if you could lend me some money, or just invest in it instead?"

Summer: "I have high hopes for your island project too. So, how much do you need? I’d be delighted to be a part of your team."

"That’s wonderful, with you on board, as they say in your country, it will be like adding wings to a tiger! I need ten billion US Dollars on my end, would you be able to manage that?"

"No problem." Summer agreed without hesitation.

After hanging up, Summer contacted her private financial manager overseas.

Through her computer, she transferred ten billion US Dollars to Vincent’s account, and instructed her lawyer to draft a contract for investment.

After completing these tasks, she caught sight of the two bank cards Henry Stanton had given her and sneered, deleting all traces of the transactions from her computer.

Meanwhile.

After taking Clarissa Stanton back to her room, Stella Monroe finally lost her patience and burst out yelling.

"You fool! I’ve already told you countless times, don’t act rashly before you have a complete understanding of Summer’s situation, why don’t you ever listen?!"

Clarissa Stanton, aggrieved, cried as she sobbed, "I didn’t expect things to turn out this way either... But, Mom, you have to believe me, that snake must have been set on me by Summer! I clearly instructed the nanny to place the snake in her room."

"Of course I know!" Stella Monroe exclaimed, exasperated.

Clarissa Stanton froze, questioning in confusion, "Then why did you know the truth and not help explain for me? That Summer woman is no good either!"

Stella Monroe sighed, saying, "I’ve taught you so much, and yet you haven’t learned how to read the situation. Your father clearly believes her now, and since you placed the snake in her room first, any explanation now is useless, it’ll only make your father angrier!"

"What am I supposed to do then? I can’t let myself be slandered like this! Did you notice the way the servants looked at me? Everyone in the estate thinks I deserved it now."

Stella Monroe deliberated for a moment and said, "It seems Summer is more complicated and elusive than I imagined. I’ll investigate her background more thoroughly. Until then, you need to get along with her, even if you have to pretend, act as though you realize your mistake and want to be good sisters with her. That will make your father happy. You know he hates internal strife and those who defy him the most."

"But... I’m under house arrest now, I can’t go out."

Stella Monroe reminded, "Silly child, have you forgotten? In a week, you have to get your certificate. Hold out for a week, and then you can impress everyone at the ceremony, and this matter will blow over."

"Alright! This week I’ll practice hard, and make sure to stun everyone at the ceremony!"

"I’m glad you think that way, it’s comforting for Mom..."

In no time, five days passed.