Chapter 6: A High-Stakes Gamble on Olympus

Silence.

Deathly silence.

I glanced around both sides of the conference table.

Michael was leaning back in his chair with his legs crossed, looking completely indifferent.

Victoria was scrolling through her phone with her head down, not even bothering to pretend to care.

Several core family members were whispering to each other, but no one dared to take on this trouble.

Robert and Catherine sat at the far edge, like two outsiders who could be kicked out at any moment.

Erin stood beside me, her palms slightly sweaty.

I could feel her nervousness and gently squeezed her hand.

"What, cat got your tongues?" Eleanor sneered. "Usually you all brag to me about leading the family to glory, but now when the opportunity comes, you've all turned into cowards?"

Michael yawned. "Grandma, you know what level Olympus Capital is at. That's a top global consortium, with an investment committee full of Wall Street elites. Why would they even look at a small family business like ours? I'm not being negative, I'm being realistic. Instead of wasting effort, we should save our strength and wait for other opportunities."

"Sounds nice," Eleanor's gaze was sharp as a knife. "You're just afraid of failing and losing face."

"I'm doing a rational analysis—"

"Enough!" Eleanor slammed the table. "You're my favorite grandson, the future heir of the family. But at the critical moment, you choose to back down. How can I feel confident handing the family over to you?"

Michael's expression changed, but before he could defend himself, Erin's clear voice rang out: "I'll do it."

Everyone's eyes turned to us.

Erin stepped out from behind me and stood before the conference table. "I'm willing to take on this project and handle the cooperation negotiations with Olympus Capital."

After three seconds of dead silence, Michael burst out laughing. "Ha ha ha ha! Erin, are you crazy? You? A designer who hasn't even touched the family business's core projects, and you dare say you'll land a deal with Olympus Capital?"

Victoria looked up, her eyes full of mockery. "Erin, did your useless husband infect you with some mental problem?"

I looked at them, feeling nothing inside.

These stupid and arrogant fools would soon understand what reality meant.

Catherine turned pale and jumped up. "Erin! What nonsense are you talking about! Sit down now!"

Robert also tugged at his daughter's sleeve. "Erin, don't be impulsive..."

But Erin didn't back down. She looked at Eleanor, her eyes firm. "Grandma, I graduated from Columbia University's architecture program, won the New York Young Designer Gold Award, and have three years of commercial real estate project experience. I'm confident I can do this project well."

I stood behind her, feeling her slightly trembling shoulders.

She was actually scared too, but she still stepped forward. That's why I loved her.

When everyone looked down on her, she still believed in her own worth.

Eleanor stared at Erin for a long time.

"Are you really confident?" Eleanor finally spoke.

"I am." Erin's voice was steady.

Eleanor turned to Michael. "What did you just say? Being realistic, saving strength?"

Her voice suddenly turned cold. "You're my favorite grandson, the future heir of the family. But at the critical moment, you choose to back down. While a granddaughter looked down upon by the entire family dares to step forward and shoulder the responsibility."

She slammed the table hard. "That's the difference between you and her!"

Michael's face turned bright red.

Victoria protested unwillingly. "But Grandma, Erin is just an ordinary designer. How could she possibly land a cooperation deal with a super consortium like Olympus Capital? She's gambling with the family's future!"

"Do you have a better solution?" Eleanor shot back.

Victoria was speechless.

Eleanor stood up, her gaze sweeping majestically across the room. "Since no one has a better solution, I now officially announce—this cooperation project with Olympus Capital will be fully handled by Erin!"

The room erupted.

Catherine nearly fainted. "Please... please reconsider!"

Robert panicked too. "Mother, Erin is still young, such an important project..."

"Enough!" Eleanor slammed the table. "I've made my decision!" She looked at Erin. "I'm giving you three days. If you can land this deal, I'll bring you into the family business's core management and give you 20% equity."

Erin took a deep breath. "Thank you, Grandma! I won't let you down!"

I watched her straight back, warmth rising in my heart.

She didn't know that this project was a stage I had prepared for her from the beginning. The actual controller of Olympus Capital was standing right behind her, but I wanted her to win this victory with her own abilities.

"Wait," Michael suddenly sneered. "Little cousin, since you're so confident, how about we make a bet?"

Erin frowned. "What bet?"

"If you really can land the Olympus Capital deal, I, Michael Wilson, will apologize to you in front of the whole family and admit I'm not as good as you."

A vicious light flashed in Michael's eyes. "But if you fail—"

He pointed at me. "You and your useless husband will get out of the Wilson family and never come back!"

"Michael! You've gone too far!" Erin said angrily.

Catherine panicked too. "How can you drag Ethan into this!"

I smiled.

Finally, this moment had come.

I stepped forward, my tone calm. "Fine. I accept this bet."

"Ethan!" Erin panicked.

I held her hand, my eyes gentle. "Trust me, you will succeed."

A triumphant look flashed in Michael's eyes. "Good! Then it's settled!"

"Wait," I suddenly spoke up, looking at Michael, my voice turning cold. "Since it's a bet, we need to make a vow, so no one backs out later."

I raised my right hand. "I swear, if Erin fails to land this deal, I, Ethan Rosecrest, will voluntarily leave the Wilson family forever. If I go back on my word, may I fall into hell forever!"

The whole room gasped.

Catherine cried out. "Ethan! Are you crazy!"

I continued staring at Michael. "Your turn. Make your vow."

Michael felt uneasy under my cold gaze. He had never seen me look like this.

But now he was in too deep and could only bite the bullet. "I, Michael Wilson, swear—if Erin lands this deal, I'll apologize to her in front of the whole family. If I go back on my word..."

He gritted his teeth. "May I fall into hell forever!"

A cold smile curved my lips. Good. This fool didn't know that the vow he just made would come true word for word.

"Mrs. Wilson, you and everyone present are witnesses," I said.

Eleanor said solemnly, "I've noted it. We'll see the outcome in three days."