Chapter 37: Using a Sledgehammer to Crack a Nut

Secretary Evelyn stared in sheer disbelief at the sweet, harmonious scene unfolding before her.

Just a few days ago, President Sterling was exuding a suffocating, murderous aura. How on earth had Young Master Vance managed to completely tame her so quickly?

Regardless of his methods,Evelyn thought, a calm President Sterling means a happy office, and a happy office means we all survive another month.

Victoria signed her name with a flourish across the final page of the executive document and handed it back. "Here."

Evelyn took the folder carefully. "President Sterling, Master Vance... I wish you both a long, happy marriage filled with endless love and joy."

Victoria’s deep red lips curled into a faint, satisfied smile. "Indeed. Take a reward—double your bonus for this month."

’Evelyn’s eyes practically turned into dollar signs as she looked at Julian. To her, he wasn’t just Victoria’s lover; he was a walking, shining God of Wealth. She resolved then and there to stay on his absolute best side.

Catching her intense gaze, Julian looked at her in confusion. "Secretary Evelyn... why are you staring at me like that?"

"Oh, it’s nothing at all!" Evelyn smiled warmly. "I was just thinking that you look exceptionally handsome today, Master Vance."

The moment the compliment left her mouth, an icy, lethal chill radiated from Victoria’s direction.

Evelyn instantly froze, alarm bells ringing in her head. Right, President Sterling is insanely possessive and gets jealous over the air he breathes!

Scrambling to salvage the situation,Evelyn added quickly, "And of course, President Sterling looks breathtakingly beautiful today! The two of you are truly a match made in heaven."

The chilling aura dissipated as quickly as it had appeared, Victoria’s lips curving upward in quiet approval.

"Aren’t you supposed to be leaving?" Victoria asked indifferently, her dark eyes sweeping over her secretary.

Feeling like a glaringly bright third wheel,Evelyn bowed quickly. "Yes! Leaving right now!" She turned on her heel and practically jogged out of Rose Manor.

A moment later, Julian’s phone buzzed on the coffee table. He glanced at the caller ID and frowned , reaching to decline it.....

"Julian," Victoria murmured, her voice dropping into a dangerous purr. "Whose call is that, hmm?"

"It’s the Vance family," Julian explained. "They’ve called me dozens of times over the past three days. They probably want to force me back into that arrangement with Miss Ross."

"Why not answer it?" Victoria raised a dark eyebrow. She wanted him to handle the call right in front of her so there would be no lingering secrets between them.

"Fair enough. It’s time I settled things with them once and for all," Julian agreed, pressing the speaker button.

"Julian"!

Elenor Vance’s furious voice instantly blasted through the speaker. "Julian! It’s been three whole days! You finally decide to pick up the phone?!"

"Get your ass back here right this second! Otherwise, don’t blame your father and me for disowning you publicly!"

She was beyond enraged. Her unfilial son had publicly run off with another woman at his own engagement event, dragging the Vance family’s reputation through the mud.

Julian replied calmly, "Fine. I’ll meet you."

"The Grand Plaza Hotel. One hour," Elenor snapped before slamming down the receiver.

Julian set his phone down and looked at Victoria. "I’m going to meet the Vance family to officially sever all ties with them." He had no intention of remaining in that toxic household to be abused like the original body owner.

"Sever ties?" Victoria paused, slightly surprised.

"Yes," Julian explained, wanting to ensure she didn’t view him as heartless. "Even though I’m technically their biological son, I was swapped at birth and raised far away from them. There’s zero emotional connection between us."

"Ever since they brought me back, they’ve treated me worse than a servant while pampering Leo. I’d rather have no family at all."

Victoria’s eyes flickered with deep satisfaction. Good. Let sever ties... then those wretched people will never hold a place in Julian’s heart again. And I am going to solo resident in his heart.

"Julian, I’ll have my corporate legal team draft a formal severance contract for you," Victoria stated smoothly.

"Sounds good," Julian agreed.

Victoria pulled out her phone and dialed Watson, the top legal counsel for Sterling Enterprises. "Draft a legal contract severing all familial and parental ties immediately, and deliver it to the Grand Plaza Hotel within the hour."

On the other end, Watson sat up straight, his adrenaline pumping. Normally, routine contract drafting was handled by Secretary Evelyn. For President Sterling to call him directly meant this had to be an international corporate acquisition or a multi-billion-dollar merger!

"Understood, President Sterling!" Watson replied eagerly. "What specific terms and corporate structures are we dealing with?"

Victoria replied coldly, "It’s a parent-child relationship severance agreement."

Watson: "..."

That’s it?!

He was one of the premier high-stakes corporate litigators in the entire country, and she was using him to draft a basic domestic severance paper? Talk about using a sledgehammer to crack a nut!

"Understood," Watson squeaked out. "I will deliver it in one hour."

Victoria hung up and turned to Julian. "I’m coming with you to meet the Vance family." Let’s give them heart stroke.

"Great," Julian smiled softly. Having Victoria present meant she could witness him rejecting his family firsthand, leaving no room for future misunderstandings.

...

Inside a private dining suite at the Grand Plaza Hotel, the entire Vance family sat waiting in tense silence.

Leo Vance put on his signature innocent facade, looking at his parents with feigned concern. "Dad, Mom, Sienna... maybe Julian had a good reason for being with that woman. When he gets here, let’s just listen to his explanation."

Arthur Vance slammed his hand onto the table, his face dark with rage. "Even if he had difficulties, a son of the Vance family cannot become a kept man for some rich woman!"

"Exactly!" Elenor Vance sneered bitterly. "The Vance family is high society! He has shelter, food, and status here! What possible hardship could force him to become a kept mistress? Do you think that woman held him hostage at gunpoint?!"

Sienna Vance rolled her eyes in agreement. "Leo, stop defending him. Julian messed up completely this time."

Leo hid a smirk behind his glass of water. He could tell his parents utterly despised Julian now. The more they hated him, the less likely Julian would ever return to compete for the family inheritance.

Outside the hotel entrance, Victoria’s sleek velvet-black limousine pulled up to the curb.

Watson was already waiting near the doors, holding a polished leather briefcase. Seeing Victoria step out, he hurried forward.

"President Sterling, the formal contract is drafted. I just need a few specific details to finalize the clauses..." Watson began, before his eyes landed on the handsome young man stepping out right behind her.