Chapter 175

A servant’s video arrived, showcasing a mountain of luxury: priceless supplements, exquisite jewelry, rare paintings. Gregory and his wife, Christina, gasped.

"Oh my goodness!" Christina cried, clutching Gregory's arm. "This is from the Vanderbilts! He's proposing!"

Brittany stared, dumbfounded. "Mom," she said, "maybe Dominick just sent these casually. This is our first meeting. Besides—" she hesitated, "there are rumors he's already engaged."

Christina waved away her doubts. "Who sends this as a casual gift? These jewels are worth tens of millions! The paintings, the supplements…oh my gosh!" She was practically vibrating with excitement.

Brittany’s heart pounded. The earlier anxieties about the Jackmans vanished. Gregory felt the same relief, his earlier worries about aligning with the Jackmans melting away. He envisioned himself as Dominick's father-in-law, basking in the admiration of all.

"Wait," Keith Jackman interjected nervously, "which Vanderbilt family?"

He'd seen the video; the items were beyond his family's wildest dreams. Could Brittany's boyfriend actually be a Vanderbilt? Which one?

Gregory straightened, confidence brimming. "Which Vanderbilt family in Harrowfell? There's only one!"

The Jackmans stared, stunned.

Keith stammered, "The Vanderbilt Group? That Vanderbilt family?"

Gregory nodded. "Exactly." His glory, he realized, would come through Brittany, not Paisley, who would always bring shame. He’d need to treat Brittany better, and hoped Baron would take an interest in Paisley. With Brittany's connection to the Vanderbilts, the Jackmans wouldn't dare mistreat her.

Marianne Jackman couldn't believe it. "A distant relative?" she suggested.

Christina beamed. "It's Dominick, the president of the Vanderbilt Group! He adores Brittany. That's why he secured her the lead role in Cary's TV series."

The Jackmans were speechless. They’d thought Cary was elevating the Sullivans, but he was just a pawn in Dominick's game.

Keith asked cautiously, his arrogance gone, "Is Dominick… the guest who's yet to arrive?"

"Yes," Gregory declared, his voice radiating authority. "Mr. Jackman—no, Keith—no need to rush. We'll serve dinner when Dominick arrives."

Keith forced a laugh. "Let's all wait together."

Gregory savored Keith's sudden shift in demeanor. At a nearby table, Gary, the director, watched with a grim face. Compared to the Vanderbilt Group, he was insignificant.

His assistant whispered, pale-faced, "Brittany's Dominick's…woman?"

The investors' willingness to lose money for Brittany made sense now. Dominick would compensate them tenfold. Opposing him would be far worse than financial loss.

Suddenly, a waiter announced, "A guest has arrived."

Dominick entered, tall and imposing, a charming smile masking his authority. "Sorry I'm late," he said.

Gregory rose to greet him, beaming. Christina and Brittany followed, Christina already viewing Dominick as her son-in-law. Brittany blushed, her heart racing. The Jackmans trailed behind, trying to impress Dominick without seeming overeager.

Then, a child's voice cut through the silence. "Dad, who are they?" Dominick had brought a child.