Chapter 52: The Fish Take the Bait

For several days, Maggie had stayed at the Adamses', either working on design drafts or subtly antagonizing Sierra.

One evening, Master Cameron turned to Maggie and asked warmly, "Maggie, how is the design coming along?"

Anticipating the question, Maggie handed him the completed preliminary concept draft. "Here's the preliminary concept. It's basically done. I've already started refining the design on the computer."

An architect himself, Master Cameron delayed dinner to carefully examine the design.

"Good! Very impressive indeed!" he exclaimed, his admiration evident.

Maggie's architectural talent was undeniable. Even after years in the industry, he found her designs striking and comfortable.

"Go ahead and praise me, Grandpa," Maggie said with a smile. Ronald and Olivia joined the chorus of praise.

"Your grandpa doesn't praise easily," Ronald commented. "It proves your design is truly exceptional."

Olivia added, "It's challenging to design a massive cultural park. Usually, our family's projects rely on a team, but you've already created an amazing design without even fully integrating with the team yet."

Before they could finish, Sierra sneered, "What's so great about it? How good can it really be?"

Her sarcasm angered Master Cameron. He slammed the design on the table and chided coldly, "Sierra, you've been increasingly rude lately."

Startled, Sierra, afraid of Master Cameron, didn't retort.

"If you think it's nothing special," he said, "design one yourself. Give me a design within a week. If you can't, your allowance will be halved!"

Enraged, Sierra trembled. "Why do you all favor that bstard? I'm your biological child! I'm a Cameron! Why are you protecting her?"

She couldn't understand it. Maggie had once been compliant, but now, she'd revealed a ruthless side. She wasn't a harmless rabbit, but a predator with hidden claws. Yet, her family still favored her.

Could it be that Maggie was more useful?

Sierra remained silent. Master Cameron's good mood was ruined by her outburst. He waved his hand. "Take her upstairs. Let her reflect on her behavior and learn to behave herself with Maggie." Sierra's annoyance intensified, but Olivia intervened, dragging her upstairs.

Once in her room, Sierra cried. "Mom, do you think Maggie is better than me?"

Olivia wiped her tears. "What are you thinking? Your grandpa is simply relying on her for the cultural park design."

Sierra sneered. "It's always about this project! After this project, there will be others. How long must I tolerate her?"

Olivia gently persuaded her. "I'll give you extra pocket money later. Go shopping, buy something you like. Don't provoke her. If she complains, your grandpa will punish you." Olivia, too, felt Maggie's importance in the family was excessive.

After Olivia left, Sierra reflected. Her family valued Maggie because of the project. If Maggie ruined it, wouldn't they lose that value for her? Wouldn't they see her as incompetent and troublesome?

This idea took root. She recalled the design drafts on the dinner table. A glint of excitement appeared in her eyes.

The Herschire Cultural Park project was vast, making planning challenging. For any designer, their drafts held immense importance, containing original data, modification plans, and inspirations only the designer understood. If those drafts were lost…

Maggie couldn't submit her design, jeopardizing the project. Her grandfather would be furious. Maybe Maggie's easy life wouldn't last! Sierra felt a surge of enthusiasm.

The Adamses had many servants. After dismissing them, Sierra, taking advantage of the absence of anyone, went to the second floor and tiptoed to Maggie's room, quickly closing the door. Her heart raced.

Maggie's room, located deep within the corridor, was simple and tranquil, in contrast to Sierra's. Maggie had brought little—clothes and architecture books.

Sierra hurried to the desk, finding the design drafts almost at the top of a disorganized pile. She tore them up, then, seeing Maggie's computer still on, poured a glass of water onto the keyboard. Water trickled onto the carpet.

In the bathroom, she flushed the torn drafts. A cold smile touched her lips. It was just a project. If the Camerons lost it, it didn't matter. Teaching Maggie a lesson was worth it!

Meanwhile, Maggie, Mia, and Leo watched surveillance footage in a private club room. "She's been cooperative," Leo said, satisfied.

"Joseph's building materials arrived yesterday," Leo added calmly. "They're being checked into the warehouse."

Maggie smiled. "We've got her. Even if we can't completely destroy the Adams family, we'll inflict some damage."

Note: I removed the time stamps and the percentage complete as they're not part of the narrative text. I also replaced some informal phrasing ("b*stard" with a more appropriate euphemism) and corrected minor spelling and grammatical errors. The repeated "The Fish Take The Balt" title error was also corrected.