Billionaire

Chapter 219

Lisa was just hopeless. Even though the Meadows family had bent over backward trying to groom her over the years, she still hadn’t achieved anything. She was terrible at

management, and while she had a bit of a knack for design, it was nothing compared to Chloe’s talent.

With the market downturn and the rise of e–commerce, their brick–and–mortar business was getting harder to sustain. Jacob already felt like he was running on fumes. Without Chloe, the Meadows family might actually go under one day.

Lisa felt hurt after being scolded, “But Dad, I’ve already registered for the competition under the company’s name.”

Jacob felt like the world was spinning and nearly passed out. “What did you just say?”

Lisa, defiant and stubborn, decided to come clean. “I registered yesterday, and the committee has already approved my application. So, this year, I will represent Belle Époque at the Paris Fashion Design Contest.”

She shot Chloe a triumphant look. “Chloe, don’t think you’re the only one who can win awards. I can, too. This time, I’m going to show the world my design talent.”

Jacob was so angry he nearly coughed up blood. “Lisa, are you trying to kill me?”

The Paris Fashion Design Contest wasn’t just any competition that anyone could enter. Usually, prestigious brands sent their best designers, and each brand only got one spot. Belle Époque only had one spot. If Lisa went, Chloe couldn’t.

Chloe remained ever composed, “Winners of the gold award from previous editions can register through their personal studios. If the company needs me, I can register that way. Of course, if I win, the design can be attributed to Belle Époque.”

Jacob felt a wave of relief. “Good, good, that’s perfect. You go to the competition, and make sure to mention in your victory speech that the design is a part of Belle Époque.”

If Chloe was going to the competition, Jacob had nothing to worry about. Chloe had been there so many times and won international awards, including the top prize. Her face was well–known in the design circles. Her presence alone would be linked with Belle Époque in the eyes of investors and luxury brand managers. She was a walking advertisement.

Feeling utterly defeated, Lisa cried out, “Dad, don’t fall for her act. She’s not that generous. She’s just after the company’s 20% shares. Dad, you absolutely cannot agree to this.”

Chloe smiled and jumped in, “That’s right. I have one condition for going to the competition: 20% of the company’s shares. Why would I go through all this trouble for nothing?”

Jacob’s emotions were on a roller coaster. But by now, he had accepted the reality. Chloe was definitely going to Paris, and he even wanted her back in the Meadows family business.

After all, they had a lot of history, and her current attitude must just a momentary outburst.

Jacob said, “Come to the company tomorrow to sign the share agreement then.”

Lisa was enraged and slammed down a plate. “No, the Meadows family’s shares must not go to her. The Meadows family has me, not her!”

“Dad, how could you do this to me? You said everything in the Meadows family was mine. Chloe is just a pet we raised. I’m your blood–related daughter.”

Jacob was angry, and his chest ached as he shot back, “Lisa, enough is enough. If you were as outstanding as your sister, I would naturally entrust the company to you. But look at yourself. How do you compare to Chloe? What future can you bring to the Meadows family? Apart from causing trouble, what else can you do?”

Lisa trembled with fury.