Chapter 43: First Step Successful

Emerald’s POV

Mrs. Walters led me through the quiet corridor before stopping at the living room’s sit-out.

"Mr. Hugo." She announced my arrival politely before stepping aside.

I looked ahead. Grandfather sat beside a small table, with a porcelain teacup neatly placed in front of him. Steam gently rose from the tea as he gazed out toward the expansive gardens beyond the terrace.

Even after hearing Mrs. Walters, he did not turn immediately.

"Go on in, Miss Emerald." Mrs. Walters gave me an encouraging smile before quietly leaving.

I walked forward. "Good morning, Grandfather."

I stopped at a respectful distance. He neither looked at me nor returned my greeting. My heart beat quickened.

Slowly, I took the empty seat opposite him. Silence settled between us.

The only sound was the gentle rustling of leaves outside as the morning breeze swept through the gardens.

My palms gradually became damp. At this moment, Professor King’s words surfaced in my mind.

"Be confident.Be firm."

I quietly adjusted my posture. Even so, I didn’t dare speak before Grandfather did.

After a while, he finally turned his head slightly to look at me. His gaze was as sharp as ever. He calmly set his teacup back onto its saucer.

"Why are you here?"

Straight to the point. Just like him.

I took a steady breath. "I’ve spent the past few weeks studying the situation surrounding Mercer Technologies. I also made a preliminary plan. But I discovered that the six months you gave me won’t be enough."

His expression remained unchanged. "So?"

"I’ve come to request more time," I confessed.

A long silence followed.

Grandfather looked at me silently, as if he was probing every thought behind my expression rather than just glancing.

I couldn’t read anything from his expression—no disappointment, no anger, no approval, just blankness.

Oddly enough, that unsettled me more than if he had scolded me. Still, I held his gaze. I had already come this far. There was no reason to retreat now.

Several moments passed before he finally looked away towards the gardens again. Then he asked quietly, "How much time do you want?"

My breath stopped. For a second, I wondered if I had heard him correctly.

That wasn’t the response I had prepared myself for.

I anticipated criticism or maybe a refusal, but instead... he had asked me a follow-up question, which was normal in a usual setting.

I stared at him, momentarily unable to answer. Only when he turned back to look at me again did I quickly regain my composure.

"One year and one month extra." The words came out much steadier than I felt.

He released a slow breath. "I hope..." His calm voice carried the same authority it always had. "...this is the last time you come before me to request an extension."

"Yes, Grandfather."

He held my gaze for another moment before continuing. "From today, you have five hundred and forty-eight days. There will not be a five hundred and forty-ninth."

His tone remained even, yet every word carried weight. "By the end of those five hundred and forty-eight days, I expect to see you on the national news as the Chairwoman of Mercer Technologies, its controlling owner. No excuses."

"I understand."

For reasons I couldn’t explain, my chest felt considerably lighter.

Professor King had been right. Had I stubbornly held on to the original six months, failure would have been almost certain.

Now... at least there was hope.

"Thank you, Grandfather."

He gave a small nod before reaching for his teacup again.

The meeting was over.

I quietly stood up, offered another respectful bow of my head and left.

---

By the time my flight landed in LA later that afternoon, most of the tension from earlier had finally eased.

The chauffeur Father had arranged was already waiting outside the terminal.

"Miss Emerald."

He accepted my suitcase before leading me towards the waiting car.

The journey home was peaceful. As the familiar gates of the Hugo residence opened before us, I found myself releasing a quiet breath.

No matter how complicated this family was, it was still home.

The front door opened before I could ring the bell, and Dad stepped outside with a smile. "There you are."

He wrapped me in a warm hug before taking a step back to look at me properly. "Welcome home."

A servant collected my suitcase while Father rested a hand lightly against my shoulder and led me inside. "You’ve lost some weight."

My gaze widened a little. "I have?" I literally had no idea. Every morning, when I stood in front of my mirror, I always looked the same in my own eyes.

"You have," he said. Then his eyes softened. "While you’re home these few days, eat properly."

I smiled faintly. "I will."

As we walked further into the house, he naturally asked, "How was your trip?"

"It went well," I replied.

"And your meeting with your Grandfather?"

"It went well too."

His expression relaxed. "I’m glad."

The familiar living room came into view.

Mum was seated elegantly on the sofa with her attention fixed on the television. Some lifestyle programme appeared to have captured her interest.

I walked over. "Good afternoon, Mum."

She finally glanced at me. Her gaze travelled slowly over my face before continuing down to the rest of me. Then she frowned. "You look nothing like a Hugo."

I opened my mouth, but she continued before I could say anything.

"What happened to you?" she asked. "You went to Larnard for an MBA. It’s only been a month, and somehow you’ve managed to look this haggard."

"Ivana." Dad sighed. "That’s hardly the way to welcome your daughter home."

Mum rolled her eyes. "I’m simply stating the obvious." Then, she looked back at me. "Tell me, how do you intend to attend Vera’s wedding tomorrow looking like this?"

I stood there quietly. Apparently, she wasn’t finished.

"You should really learn how to spend this family’s money properly." She waved a dismissive hand. "Book yourself a spa appointment this evening. And please do something about your face."

I stared at her for a moment before giving a small nod. "Alright."

She went back to watching the television as if nothing had happened.

Dad looked at me apologetically. I smiled reassuringly at him. However, inside my head, only one sentence came to mind.

Welcome home, Emerald.

It was only at this moment that it actually dawned on me that I was back in this house.