Spoiled by the Silver Fox

Sebastian raised an eyebrow and said with a wry smile, "Who said... That little piece of land from last time, it might be cashed in soon... I'll be able to pay off Grandpa's IOU in no time."

Jaxon's eyes lit up as he asked, "How much could it multiply by?"

Sebastian held up five fingers with a smirk.

The plot was in a prime location for the new international airport, a project that would simplify visa procedures for travelers from all around the globe. Given the scale of the investment and the strategic importance of the site, money was no object. When the time came, Phinies Wilson wouldn't have a choice but to sell.

Sebastian might have gotten the better of Phinies this time, but without his behind-the-scenes maneuvering, that land wouldn't have fetched such a high price.

The higher-ups had other options, but they settled on this one plot, thanks in no small part to Sebastian's efforts. When Phinies found out, he would be nothing but grateful.

Otherwise, if the land had been used for real estate development, it might have taken decades to turn a profit-and even then, the Wilsons wouldn't have made as much as they were going to now.

And indirectly, Phinies' goal to elevate the Wilson family to new heights was being met.

This time... if the sale went smoothly, it wasn't just about climbing one rung on the ladder; they might leap several levels at once.

Jaxon, ever the straight shooter, couldn't help but burst into hearty laughter. "Well played!"

But his joy was short-lived as he remembered that the land had been purchased in the name of Stephanie, the little lady, which meant all the profits would be hers. He glared at Sebastian and declared, "I don't care, aside from the debt on the IOU, you owe me, old man, for emotional damages."

Sebastian chuckled, "How much does Grandpa want?"Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

"Half!" Jaxon shot back.

"Grandpa, asking for your granddaughter-in-law's dowry, is that fair?"

"That's my grandson's savings for her dowry! What does it have to do with her?"

"It does... because I wanted to save it for her."

"Psh! You're the kid I raised from diapers to whiskey! Why should all the rewards of your success go to someone else?"

"Grandpa, you already take the lion's share of Skyline Corporation's dividends each year."

"Well, I'm not one to turn down more money."

"Grandpa's just worried the Ingram fortune isn't big enough, no amount is ever enough... She's married into the Ingram family now, so that's Ingram assets."

"Anyway, you always did have a way of turning your back on your own."

Sebastian smiled softly, "She's not an outsider anymore... she's put

dots right here." He touched belongs to en.ent

his

over his heart.

Stephanie was awakened not by an alarm, but by a ball of fluffy mischief that had burrowed into the covers to rouse her.

Blinking the sleep from her eyes, she

found

roundself staring into a pair curiosity and intelligence

round, bright blue eyes, full

She shook her head slightly, trying to clear the last vestiges of sleep, and the little fox gently pawed at her face.

Suddenly fully awake, Stephanie sat bolt upright in bed and stared at Coco the fox, speechless.

Coco blinked those pale blue eyes, giving a small, plaintive whine.

After a long moment of silent communication, Sebastian's voice came from the doorway, "Your present. Do you like it?" Stephanie glanced over, perplexed. "Is this... a white fox?"

"Yeah, a very perceptive creature."

"Where did you get a Silver Fox... and is it even legal to keep one?"

"It's registered under pets, like a cat or a dog, so it's fine..."

A Silver Fox, small and puppy-like in its youth, could indeed be mistaken for a little dog.

"But why a fox, out of the blue? Just because I played a nine-tailed fox in a show once?"