Claire didn't even try to deny it. She just smiled and said, "Turns out my son isn't as foolish as I thought."
Pax's voice turned icy. "I'm not going to help you, and I'm definitely not going to be part of your schemes. I'm not
chasing after Chloe, and I'm not helping you get that five percent of the company shares."
"So, you're okay with seeing the woman you love in someone else's arms? That doesn't bother you?"
"Pax, aren't you... jealous?"
Claire seemed to hit Pax right where it hurt.
"Since you were a kid, you've always looked up to your uncle as a role model, but you've never been able to
measure up. Your grades, your business skills-he's always been ahead. Even the woman you love, you just let
her go to him. Why? Because you don't have the guts to fight for what you want!"
"The way you're acting doesn't seem like something my child would do. You're so defeatist, so weak; you'll spend
your life in your uncle's shadow, never catching up."
Claire knew just how to push Pax's buttons.
She knew that Pax idolized Connor. On the outside, he admired him, but deep down, he was always trying to
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Connor was a genius. Pax was talented too, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't stand on the same
level.
Claire knew these feelings were a double-edged sword. With a little nudge, jealousy could turn into hatred.
Pax clenched his fists.
"Mom, you're right. I'll never be able to outdo my uncle, so I've decided to stop trying."
Claire's smile faded. "What did you say?"
"There's one thing you got wrong. | see my uncle as an idol, but I've never been jealous of him. On the contrary, |
respect him, admire him, love him. He and Chloe are in love; | would never cbetween them."
Pax shot her a cold smile. "So, save your breath. Your attempts to stir things up are pointless."
"Pax, you're really stubborn!"
Claire was clearly out of patience.
"It doesn't matter if you won't help
want not just Chloe's five percent but all the shares your uncle holds. I'm not letting them off easy just wait and
see how | tear them apart and make them hate each other."
Pax was agitated. "You've lost it."
Claire didn't even try to hide her intentions. "Yes, your mother has lost it. | want to destroy them."
"What do | have to do for you to leave my uncle and Chloe alone?"
Claire leaned back on the sofa, sipping her tea like she had all the tin the world. "Maybe I'd consider it if you
agree to two conditions."
Pax's face tightened.
After a moment, he forced the words out. "What are they?"
"First, | get to decide who you marry. Since you're giving up on Chloe, you must give up the right to choose
freely. Don't fall for anyone else so easily."
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Pax was already disenchanted with
love. He knew that aside from Chloe,
he probably couldn't love anyone else. If it wasn't Chloe, then it didn't matter who it was. If his future partner
could get what she wanted from him, he didn't care anymore.
"Fine, | agree. What's the second condition?"
"Second, starting tomorrow, you work at the company."
"You can pick any position you want, just as long as you're there."
Pax had never been interested in the family business. Whether it was the Sartori family or the Gilbert family, he
never intended to get involved.
But now, he had no choice in shaping his future.
Pax's gaze darkened. "I'll agree to
your conditions, but you have to promisethat you won't harm my
uncle, Chloe, or Diana, and stop
treating lives like they're nothing."