Chapter 2

Sparing Yakov a disbelieving glance, Yulia laughed condescendingly. “Sorry, what? With your resources?”

“All you have to do is believe in me.” Yakov Xayarath states confidently.

This was the first time Yulia had seen Yakov so serious, and in the heat of the moment, she believed.

“Hah, who are we kidding? Who am I to eye the main seat? All I wish is that the Matriarch takes a second look at my father’s side of the clan.”

At the same time on the Main Seat, the Matriarch sighed.

Tyler was quick to enquire, “Today is your birthday, Grandmother. Why are you sighing?”

“Indeed. Today was supposed to be a joyous day, yet there’s something that nags at my heart. How could I possibly enjoy myself when we have yet to reach any common grounds with the Kierra Group?”

The Kierra Group was one of Yin Prefecture’s well-known large-scale privately-run groups. With over ten companies under its name and a yearly profit of over a billion yuan, the Kierra Group was truly a large consortium.

“The Yates would be set for decades should we manage to form a partnership with the Kierra.

“I am old and perhaps am nearing the end of my thread. Should I be able to further our relationship with them, and secure us, Yates, with such a high figure, I suppose I’d be able to leave without regrets.”

Hearing her, everyone held their breaths.

“Today is your birthday, Matriarch! You have a long life ahead of you.”

The Matriarch waved her hand dismissively, “Enough sugarcoating. As today’s my birthday, I shall pray for my good fortune, and grant any wish of the person who manages to settle a contract with the Kierra Group! Every member of the Yates Clan is eligible, and I will not go back on my words.”

At that, every present relative was stunned. The Old Madam was known to follow through with her words. To ‘grant any wish’ implied that she would become inclined to accept even if one were to ask for the Main Seat, right?

Tyler’s eyes burned with determination but froze in place right before he was about to stand up, as he was reminded that this was the Kierra Group they were talking about.

He had gone to visit the President of the Kierra Group before, only to be blatantly rejected.

This was no easy task.

Tyler’s father Rohan Yates spoke, “It won’t be easy to negotiate with such a large consortium, Mother, but we’ll do our best. Fret not.”

“Huff. What does it matter if you do your best when they’ll shut the door in our faces regardless? Or are you implying that the Kierra Group rejected because us Yates are too small a clan and therefore unworthy of a partnership?”

Everyone grew quiet.

“So, is no one willing to agree to this old woman’s pledge today?” Displeasure surfaced on the Matriarch expression.

She did not require that they must settle a partnership, but what she was looking for was rather the portrayal of some sort of attitude. It was disappointing that no one was brave enough to agree.

Despite being aware of this Group, they were a household name in the Yin Prefecture, this was the first time she had heard of the Yates Clan’s desire to form a partnership with the Kierra. Well, who would tell her things like this anyway?

Yakov nudged her as he saw how Yulia’s interest seemed to be piqued by it. “Agree to it.”

Yulia stunted evidently. “What...What did you say?”

“Agree to it, then go discuss a partnership with the Kierra Group. That way you’d get the Matriarch’s approval, no?”

Yulia’s heart skipped a beat. He was right, a partnership with the Kierra Group had always been on the Matriarch’s mind. Anyone who could deal with the issue would automatically shine in her eyes.

In the spur of the moment, she stood. “I’ll go, Grandmother!”

Everyone on the main table turned their heads to her. They had almost forgotten the existence of Yulia Yates had she not spoken up.

“You’ll go? With what? Your company is worth almost nothing, who are you to talk to the President of the Kierra Group?” Tyler scoffed with a disdainful look in his eyes.

“This isn’t a game, Yulia. You’re representing the entirety of the Yates Clan. If you show up unprepared and end up offending the Kierra Group, it will be over for this Yates Clan of ours.”

“We’re not trying to pick on you, but with how mediocre your father’s ability was, I highly doubt that you’re good enough for it. I do not believe she is qualified for the job at hand, Matriarch.”

Her relatives could not help but shake their heads at Yulia standing up.

Yulia had regretted it the moment she stood, to be honest. All she wanted was to prove her worth before the Matriarch, not that Yakov egging her on helped at all. To go back on her words now would turn her into the biggest joke to everyone.

The Matriarch squinted and stood disappointedly. She had not imagined Yulia to stand, what was a girl doing in such important matters anyway.

Yet she had already given her word, there was no choice but to follow through.

“Then I shall temporarily place the issue in your hands, Yulia. But remember, no matter what, do not offend the Kierra Group.”

“Understood, Grandmother,” Yulia responded bravely.

“Well then, Yulia Yates. Now that you’ve agreed, what happens if you fail?” Tyler enquired tauntingly.

Yulia pinched her brows. “What do you want?”

“If you succeed, your father’s side returns to the Yates Clan. But if you fail, your family leaves the Yates Clan and never returns. How’s that?”

Yulia halted, that was a lot to gamble on.

Yakov Xayarath nodded at her, and Yulia tensed. ‘How was he so confident? Could Yakov be acquainted with people from the Kierra Group?’

So, she clenched her jaw and agreed. “Very well, I concur!”

With that, Yulia turned to leave. Yakov Xayarath, with his hands in his pockets, followed behind his wife.”

“Tsk. A spoilt girl, and a piece of trash. What a match made in heaven.”

…

After the banquet, the Matriarch oversaw her servants carefully package her gifts to deliver back to the Yates Manor.

“Matriarch, what should I do with this bronze pot?” Asked a servant.

“Stupid question. Throw it away, how could we place this kind of rubbish at home?” Tyler interrupted.

The Matriarch glanced at him briefly before Tyler realized that he had overstepped and retreated behind the Matriarch.

“Forget it. Just throw it away,” The Matriarch replied dismissively.

Right then rushed over an elder. “Wait!”

The Matriarch smiled. “Oh, Wright! You haven’t left yet?”

Old Man Wright was a well-known connoisseur within the Yin Prefecture. His eye was as sharp as they came and had seen a large variety of treasure.

Though the Matriarch loved collecting, her eyes were no longer as sharp as they used to be. Thus, Old Man Wright would come from time to time to take a look for her.

Old Man Wright’s attendance today had further boosted her pride.

However, instead of paying the Matriarch his attention, his eyes were fixed on the bronze pot as he walked toward it. His hands shook as they caressed the pot’s pattern, too touched to formulate words.

“Calm down, Old Man Wright. This was a gift from a worthless piece of trash and putting it here is a sight for sore eyes, I know. I’ll get someone to throw it out now.”

“Shut up!” Old Man Wright roared.

“What do you know? This bronze pot is a priceless piece of treasure. A similar bronze pot, though in far worse condition, was sold for a high price of fifty thousand yuan at the last Sotheby’s auction!”

Both Tyler and the Matriarch were stunned. This bronze pot... How could it be so expensive?

“Oh, my love, my precious. Matriarch, I’m afraid not even the total of everything in your collection together, is worth more than a fraction of this precious treasure over here.”

“Who’s sent this gift, Matriarch? Please, bring me to him. To present you with such a gift, this man must surely be greatly intertwined with the Yates, right?”

The Matriarch’s stood open-mouthed, too shocked to speak.