Chapter 6: Let Me Represent The Sullivan Family Tonigh
Violet focused on the information on the screen in front of her. Her eyes scanned it quickly.
Name: Harry Sullivan
Current Emotion: Irritated
Deepest Desire: Expand the Sullivan Group.
Greatest Fear: Losing the Sullivan family’s reputation.
Weakness: Ambition.
Fatal Flaw: Pride.
Resistance: 2/5
Mind Push Available.
Daily Uses Remaining: 3/3
Violet’s eyes stopped at the mind push available. Was there an increase? she wondered.
Just as she expected, her father always placed the family name over everything, including her.
The panel shifted once more, another inscription formed on it.
Suggestion: Mind Push may now be activated.
She read the two steps and did as it required. Violet slowly lifted her head. Harry wore a scowl, his patience thinning with each second that passed.
"If you’ve finished wasting my time, you can leave." he said, and at that moment, their eyes met.
The instant they did, the familiar pressure built behind Violet’s eyes and everything around her seemed to slow. She inhaled softly, maintaining her calm expression.
Harry’s expression froze for the briefest moment. His pupils dilated.
Violet spoke slowly, every word clear. "Let me represent the Sullivan family tonight."
Harry stared at her, a flash of hesitation crossed his face. He drummed his fingers against the table slightly.
Violet heard her heart pounding in her ear. Was the system about to fail? she wondered.
Then, Harry finally spoke. "...Fine."
The pressure disappeared and Harry’s frown returned. He drew his brows together as though trying to understand why he had agreed.
"Thank you, dad." Violet said, trying but failing to stop the smile that formed on her lips.
Harry studied her, his frown deepened. "I don’t know what nonsense you’re planning," he muttered coldly. "But since you’re so eager to attend, you can go in my place."
Then, he swiftly opened one of the drawers on the table and took out a black invitation card trimmed with gold. The gold edges caught the glow of the light, glinting sharply in Violet’s vision.
Without another glance at her, Harry tossed it onto the desk. It slipped towards Violet and she stopped it with her finger.
"Don’t embarrass the Sullivan family." Harry said.
"I won’t." she responded, bobbing her head up and down as she studied the invitation. She couldn’t believe it was so easy to get hold of it.
"The only item you are to purchase is the three-hundred-year-old vase." Harry instructed. When he opened the drawer again, Violet lifted her head. Harry brought out a checkbook this time and tore a page from it.
He picked up his pen and scribbled his signature at the bottom. Then, he handed it over to her. "After the auction, write whatever amount on this, and pass it to Mr. Shawn. He’ll process the required payment."
"Definitely." Violet said with a straight face, perfectly tucking her desire to scream away.
She stood up, about to leave, when her father stopped her. "Dylan will go with you."
Dylan was Stephanie’s fiancé. Given the history between them, he was the last person Violet wanted to set eyes on.
Violet paused; this wasn’t what he said at first. "There won’t be any need for that. Why bother him when Stephanie is away?" She needed to be there alone.
One of the reasons was because she had no desire to buy the vase. She was going to the auction only because of the jade necklace.
"That’s not negotiable." Harry said flatly.
Violet dug her fingers into her palm. She contemplated using her system, but decided against it. She didn’t want to waste any more mind push on him in case she met a better target at the auction.
She would find a way to throw Dylan off her back.
"Tell Nancy to give you a new dress. I can’t have you go to the auction in that rag." Harry returned his attention to the laptop and added, "And please, do not embarrass this family." He reminded her again.
Violet paused for a fraction of a second, something dark flashed through her eyes. She didn’t answer. She simply rose from her chair and walked out of the office. She held the invitation firmly as she closed the door behind her. The first step towards obtaining the storage space was finally complete.
Ding!
Mind Push successfully executed.
Daily Uses Remaining: 2/3
Violet blinked and the screen disappeared. She made her way down the stairs.
Violet met a woman standing at the foot of the stairs. The woman bowed slightly and introduced herself as Nancy.
"I’ll take you to the guest room. Mr. Sullivan has instructed that you don’t leave the room until Mr. Chen arrives. I’ll also bring you a proper outfit." Nancy said respectfully.
"Okay." was Violet’s reply, her face devoid of any emotion. She walked behind Nancy as she showed her the room. Immediately the door clicked shut, she walked towards the bed and sat on it.
The guest room was large and plain, with a big bed, a wide window, and a table set neatly in the corner.
Once she had settled, she called out her system.
The blue panel hung midair and Violet went over it. After her conversation with her dad, she realised that there was a lot she didn’t know about it.
For example, even though she was able to directly influence her father’s decision, he had remained cold towards her.
’Why?’ she wondered.
System cannot utter the emotion the target has towards the host.
The system responded in an electronic voice.
Violet’s lips parted.
"What about the daily uses, had it been increased?"
No. Unused Mind Push uses during the Trial Period will automatically carry over to the next day.
Another message followed.
Beginner Target Identification has ended.Host is now responsible for selecting all Mind Push targets.
Violet watched the system disappear. She flung herself on the bed, stretching out both hands. The mattress was soft and comfortable, unlike the one she had at her apartment.
After a few minutes, there was a soft knock on the door.
It pushed open and Nancy stepped inside, holding a box. Violet sat straight, her eyes following Nancy as she placed the box on the table in the middle of the room.
"This is the dress that has been selected for you and approved by Mr. Sullivan as suitable for tonight’s event." she said, standing straight. She placed one hand over the other. "Would you like me to get you something to eat?" she questioned.
"No." After being poisoned once, Violet was too cautious to eat from the mansion. Even if she was famished, she didn’t want to risk losing her life.
"Okay. If there’s anything else you need, please let me know."
Once Nancy was out of the room, Violet stood up and opened the box. Inside the box was a black dress, accompanied by red heels and silver jewelry.
’Hmm, not bad.’ she thought.
But if she had the chance, she would change the clothes. The mere thought of wearing Stephanie’s clothes made her skin crawl.
Violet rubbed her flat stomach as she returned to the bed. If everything went as planned, maybe she’d end up having a little feast tonight.
She desperately hoped she wouldn’t end up in her cramped apartment.
Five hours later, Nancy informed her of Dylan’s arrival. It was time to leave.