Year Five: The Perfect Goodbye Plan novel Chapter 48

Mrs. Upton chimed in, smiling brightly as she echoed her husband, “I met Miss Ashford briefly about a year ago, and even then, I could tell she was no ordinary girl. Now, seeing her again, I know I was right.”

Silvia listened to their flattery with an unmoved heart.

She knew perfectly well that their fawning was only because of Kent. Without him, they wouldn’t bother pretending.

This dinner was painfully dull.

Kent placed a glass of mild wine in front of Silvia, his gaze flicking coolly over the couple across the table.

Mr. Upton picked up on Kent’s cue and hurriedly pulled out the prepared contract, sliding it toward Silvia.

“Miss Ashford, please have a look. If everything’s in order, we can make it official.”

Silvia glanced at Kent. When he nodded, she took the contract.

But as she turned the pages and reached the profit-sharing section, she immediately noticed something was wrong.

The original plan called for an even split—fifty-fifty—since both parties were contributing equally.

Yet this contract stated a thirty-seventy split: The Upton Group would get thirty percent, while Shipley’s company would take seventy.

Clearly, The Upton Group was trying to curry favor with Kent by giving up their share. Maybe they had other motives, too.

Silvia remembered Hardy’s sneering face from the other day and lowered her gaze.

She wasn’t about to give in.

Pushing the contract back across the table, she said coolly, “Let’s stick to the original terms—fifty-fifty.”

Mr. and Mrs. Upton exchanged a troubled look. Seeing Silvia’s expression, they had no choice but to agree.

Their assistant printed out a new contract. Silvia reviewed it carefully; once she was satisfied there were no further tricks, she signed.

Afterwards, the Uptons sat tensely, their eyes fixed on Silvia.

Mrs. Upton finally spoke, “Miss Ashford, about what happened the other day—my son was in the wrong, and I want to apologize on his behalf. Could you please… let it go?”

“I’m sorry,” Silvia replied evenly. “I haven’t pressed charges against him personally. That’s already my concession, out of respect for you and Mr. Upton.”

If she had chosen to step forward as the victim, Hardy would be facing a much harsher sentence.

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