The second test—the Financial Restructuring Plan—was precisely the kind of dense, strategic work where Ethan was guaranteed to fail. Ethan submitted a plan that relied heavily on debt and cutting existing, profitable departments—a lazy, brute-force approach coached by Charlotte.
Robert, fortified by the round-the-clock research provided by his sister Jane and the strategic advice of James, delivered a plan of surgical precision. He proposed restructuring the company's overseas assets, leveraging the new Thai patent to secure favorable credit lines, and eliminating only the inefficient, politically compromised departments—most of which were run by Charlotte's allies.
The final presentation to Theodore and the board was a masterful performance. Robert spoke with a cool, unshakeable confidence, presenting data that Ethan couldn't even comprehend.
The outcome was a devastating blow to Charlotte's faction.
"Robert's plan is not only fiscally sound, but revolutionary," Theodore announced, slamming his hand down on the mahogany table. "It secures the future. Ethan's plan would have bankrupted us within a year."
Robert had won the second challenge. The competition was over, effectively making him the undisputed heir apparent.
Charlotte, watching her entire scheme crumble before a twelve-year-old boy, felt a cold, murderous rage. Her son was a humiliation. She was running out of legal options, and she knew she had to resort to social warfare.
She turned her full attention to Amelia.
The next day, Amelia cornered David at a high-profile industry lunch. She was radiant, but her eyes held a fierce, controlled ambition that David, blinded by his need for "normalcy," failed to recognize.
"You're distracted, David," Amelia stated, touching his hand with an intimacy that felt both comforting and controlling. "You are spending too much time babysitting the protégé and his little group of friends. Everyone is noticing."
"I have business with Lucas," David said, trying to pull his focus back to his career.
"The Lucas business is me, David," Amelia corrected, her voice dropping to a seductive promise. "My grandfather controls the final inheritance. My mother controls Theodore's ear. And you know your father is eager to merge the Richard influence with the Lucas legacy."
She smiled, leaning in. "You need to secure your position, David. And the fastest way to secure it is to secure me. Let's stop the social games. I want a commitment. Let's make this official, and together, we can sideline Robert and focus on real power."
It was a cold, professional proposal wrapped in feminine charm. David, who was desperately trying to convince himself he was straight, stable, and ambitious, saw Amelia as the solution to all his problems—professional stability, the Lucas connection, and the immediate, powerful distraction from the confusing pull of Robert.
He didn't hesitate. "I think that's an excellent idea, Amelia."
The news spread like wildfire. David Richard and Amelia Lucas were officially a couple, moving toward an engagement.
The announcement struck Robert like a physical punch. It erased the last glimmer of hope—the fragile belief that the spark between her and David meant something real. The man she felt an undeniable, forbidden connection to was officially claiming her enemy.
Later that evening, in the suite, Robert was numbly packing away the presentation materials when David walked in.
"Amelia and I are together now," David announced, his voice stiff with a forced casualness. He was looking everywhere but at Robert. "It's a good move for both families."
Robert stood straight, masking the immense pain with the blank indifference of her male persona. "Congratulations, David."
"Look, I know you and I got close over the past few weeks, but it was just stress, right?" David pushed, needing Robert's validation to quiet his own internal turmoil. "Just... two ambitious guys working late."
Robert met his gaze, the green eyes cold and hard. "You are correct, David. I never confuse a study partner with anything permanent. I wish you both success."
David looked relieved, but also strangely deflated. He had sought peace, but the cold dismissal from Robert felt like a definitive loss.
As David left, Robert retreated to his room, locking the door. The disguise had protected the heir, but it had crushed the woman. She knew, then, that she had to kill Emily entirely and become only Robert—a relentless weapon focused solely on revenge.