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Chapter_24
Ellis, quick to read the room, recognized that if Abigail knew both Getty and Alexander, she likely came from a similar elite background. The offer of thirty million wasn’t beyond her means. With an air of confidence, Abigail pulled Quinn into the seat beside her, crossing her legs with purpose as she declared, “You guys can talk about it all you want. If thirty million isn’t enough, I can always add more.”
For the first time, Ellis found himself caught off guard by someone so eager to spend money—especially when it wasn’t his.
Getty, never one to back down, interjected with a sneer, “I’ll match whatever she pays. You’re not the only one with money here.”
Abigail gave her a look of disdain. “You may have money, but is it really yours?” Her words cut through the tension like a knife.
“And is your money really yours?” Getty snapped back, her pride wounded.
Abigail smirked. “At least it belongs to my family, the Vanderbilts. I have my share, regardless of what I do. What about you?”
Getty faltered, struggling for a retort, her anger turning to helplessness. “You…”
Ellis, attempting to ease the escalating confrontation, raised his hand. “Ladies, please. Let me just call Alexander to settle this.”
“Do that,” Abigail insisted, her voice sharp. “Put it on speaker. We all want to hear this!”
Ellis, who didn’t have Alexander’s personal number, reluctantly dialed his assistant. After explaining the situation, it became clear that the decision wasn’t in the assistant’s hands. He had to consult Alexander directly.
“Alexander, Quinn and Getty are both interested in the same role. What’s your preference?” the assistant asked.
Alexander, engrossed in some documents, barely looked up. “Give it to Getty.”
“Uh…?” The assistant hesitated, unsure how to handle the situation.
Alexander’s gaze snapped up, his tone cutting through the room. “Didn’t you hear me?”
The assistant stammered, “It’s just that Quinn—”
“I said Getty. Is that clear?” Alexander’s voice brooked no argument.
“Understood, I’ll handle it immediately,” the assistant replied, bowing his head.
Ellis hung up the phone, his face flushed with embarrassment as he looked at Abigail. “Abigail, I got a response from Alexander.”
Abigail could tell from his expression that the decision had been made. “It’s for her, isn’t it?” Her voice dropped with icy venom. “Ellis, it seems you favor Alexander’s decisions. Does the Vanderbilt family not deserve equal consideration?”
Ellis, visibly shaken, found himself at a loss for words. He hadn’t anticipated the complexity of the situation, now caught between two powerful families. His regret was palpable.
Quinn, her heart sinking, lowered her head in resignation. She could feel Getty’s smug, victorious gaze burning into her, the weight of Alexander’s influence leaving her powerless. Without his support, she had no leverage to contest Getty.
Quinn started to get up, wanting to leave the stifling tension behind, but Abigail remained resolute. “We’re not leaving without securing the role today,” she insisted, her tone firm.
Getty, equally determined, refused to yield. The marketing team, after discussing the dilemma at length, found themselves at an impasse. The higher-ups, unwilling to make waves, advised them to make a decision that would minimize backlash, even if it meant disappointing one of the parties.
After a long, tense pause, it became clear that Abigail’s influence—though considerable—was no match for Alexander’s. Alexander wielded the clout of his family name, while Abigail only represented herself and her immediate interests. With regret, Ellis finally turned to face them.
“Abigail, I’m terribly sorry, but after careful discussion, we’ve decided to choose Getty as the spokesperson for our campaign.”
Abigail’s frustration exploded. She slammed her hand down on the table and stood up abruptly. “What are you playing at? And what about Alexander—how does he factor into this?! Is this how he treats his wife?” Her voice was cutting, sharp with anger.
Ellis, stunned by her outburst, stammered, “Wife? Oh… Who—who is…” His eyes flickered to Quinn, confusion growing as he began to suspect there was far more to this situation than he had originally thought.
