"You are the wife of Zayn Giblo, " he declared as he returned her hug. "No spectacle is too grand for you. Besides, you are the second-largest shareholder in Lierger Corporation! An entourage this size is still not big enough for your worth."
Carla snorted before doing a double-take. "Second largest?" she asked, confused. "How much exactly did Daemon give me?"
"Twenty-five percent, I heard, " Zayn sighed. "My wife is now the richest woman in the world!"
"Rubbish!" Carla exclaimed, hardly daring to believe it.
Zayn rubbed her cheeks. "Twenty-five percent of Lierger Corporation, fifty-five of Giblo Group, and that's not mentioning me working endlessly to bolster your coffer. Name me another woman in the world of equal wealth to you at this very moment."
"Twenty-five?" Carla repeated in a daze. "Daemon gave me twenty-five percent, you say?"
Zayn nodded patiently. "Yes, my dear. Twenty-five percent. The best part is that your shares are permanently yours now. Daemon had only granted you temporary ownership of the shares the first time you went home, which could be taken away at any time. This time, nobody will have a say in what you do with them."
Carla was visibly nervous. "Twenty percent was left to me by my mother, I understand that. What I don't understand is how I ended up with the remainder as a result of your wager?"
"You are my wife. Who else is it going to?" Zayn rolled his eyes at her. "I'm actually looking forward to you becoming richer so that I can finally retire. When I do, I'll be looking to you to feed me!"
Carla failed to stifle a laugh. "No pressure, right?"
"Don't worry, " Zayn reassured her with a peck on her forehead. "Daemon and I have your back. Get it done quickly in Erihal, will you? The wedding will be held on the ninth."
"What?" Carla gasped. "I'm getting married on the ninth? How is this the first time I'm hearing about this?"
"Well, I'm telling you now, aren't I? I've got it all under control, don't you worry."
"It's my wedding!" she protested. "Shouldn't the bride be at least informed of the date of her own wedding ahead of everybody else?"
"I didn't broadcast it to avoid any unwanted attention if that's any consolation." Zayn stroked her hair. "Off you go, then. You are to return on the third."
"Isn't that cutting it close? Today's already the thirtieth…"
"Do as I say!" Zayn said sharply before turning to Benard. "Keep things moving as planned, understand?"
"Yes, Mr. Giblo!"
Carla knew that she wouldn't be able to win the argument. Without further ado, she bid the children farewell before getting into the car obediently.
She saw from the rearview mirror as the car drove off that Zayn was waving at her. "It looks as though I am in charge but he is actually the one pulling the strings!"
Bugara smiled. "Mr. Giblo only does it to protect you, Madam."
"He does!" Rogan chimed in eagerly. "Mr. Giblo always has your best interests at heart."
"Five days is plenty of time, Mrs. Giblo, " Benard said comfortingly. "Mr. Giblo spoke to Mr. Lierger several times on the phone and has made all the arrangements ahead of time. All you have to do is just follow through with the procedures."
"That's right. I'd heard Harrison said that his side was good to go as well, " Freda added.
"I'm beginning to suspect that you two are only here to butter me up." Carla cuffed Freda and Rogan lightly. "What else did he instruct you to say?"
Carla patted the back of Freda and Rogan's heads. "I guessed the reason he sent you two along is for your marriage proposals as well?"
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