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Reluctantly, I open the door wider, allowing her entry. She steps in with a determined stride, her expression unwavering.
Closing the door behind her, I motion for her to take a seat.
„I know what you want, and my answer remains the same. You’re wasting your time here, Maria.” I try to mask my irritation, but the strain in my voice betrays my true feelings.
Mariah settles into the chair opposite me, her eyes never leaving mine. „I know you’ve been avoiding me, Aston. Ignoring my calls, acting like I don’t exist. Pretty childish, don’t you think?”
I sigh, leaning back in my chair. The facade of nonchalance is crumbling. „I think you’re the one who’s acting like a stubborn child here. I told you no, and you just won’t let it go.”
She scoffs, disbelief etched on her face. „Don’t give me that. I’m your sister, Aston. I don’t understand why you would want to put this massive block in the way of my career—and the growth of our business!”
„Your business,” I point out. „I have no interest in our family company. You know that just as well as Dad, but unlike him, you refuse to accept it.”
I rub my temples, the weight of my secrets pressing down on me.
Mariah leans forward, her eyes searching mine. „He may have accepted it, but he was never happy about it, you know? His only son, just playing around with theoretical numbers instead of doing something that actually has an impact.”
„What I do has a lot more impact on the world than you could ever understand,” I retort through gritted teeth. My pulse is racing, like it always does when my sister causes my blood to boil with her arrogant ignorance.
And I can’t shake the uneasy feeling that I’m navigating treacherous waters. I can tell that she has something up her sleeve, just from looking at her face. The air in the room thickens as Mariah fixates on me, her gaze unwavering.
„Whatever,” she says eventually, waving me off as if I’d just said something really stupid. „Aston, you can’t keep shutting me out, but you know I’m not here just to catch up. I need your cooperation on this project I proposed.”
„Oh, and why is that now?” I implore. „Because you promised the shareholder you’d come up with something sexy to increase revenue?”
„That doesn’t matter,” she retorts, frowning at me.
I lean forward, my eyes narrowing. „Mariah, we’ve been through this. I’m not interested in turning my academic haven into a corporate playground. My students and I are focused on theoretical work, not algorithms for profit.”
Her expression tightens, a flicker of frustration crossing her face. „Aston, this could revolutionize the industry. It’s a golden opportunity for the universityandthe family business. We would all benefit from this, including you! I won’t let you squander it just because you’re stuck in your ivory tower of theories.”
I scoff, leaning back in my chair. „I won’t compromise the integrity of my work for your corporate ambitions, Mariah.”
She leans forward, her eyes ablaze. „You don’t get it, do you? This collaboration is happening, whether you like it or not. It’s not just about me—it’s about the family legacy.”
I raise an incredulous eyebrow. „Legacy? Since when do I care about the family business? I’ve always been clear about what I want. I love teaching, and that’s where my passion lies.”
Mariah’s patience wears thin. „Aston, you might not care, but I’ve been appointed the CEO, and I won’t let your stubbornness hinder the progress of our company. This collaboration will happen, and you will be a part of it.”
The gravity of her words hangs in the air, and I can sense the impending storm. Before I can react, she drops a bombshell that leaves me stunned.
„If you don’t comply, I’m pulling the funding for your other research project. You know, the one that Dad granted a couple of years back? The one our company has been supporting ever since. Your precious PhD students will lose their jobs, and all their research will go down the drain. Think about that before you decide to be stubborn on this.”
My jaw drops, and I can’t stop myself from staring at her with utter disdain. I’m speechless. The audacity of her threat rattles me to the core. My mind races, trying to comprehend the depth of her manipulation. I stand, my chair scraping against the floor, anger coursing through my veins.
„You’re out of your mind, Mariah. I won’t let you destroy the lives and work of my students for the sake of your ambition,” I snap, my voice edged with fury.
Mariah remains unfazed, her resolve unyielding. „It’s your choice, Aston. Collaborate or face the consequences. You’re the one risking your students' future here, not me.”
I can’t stand to look at her face any longer. My sister and I have never been on the best terms, and now I’m reminded why. My hands ball into fists as I storm towards the door, flinging it open.
„Get out, Mariah. I won’t be blackmailed by you,” I sneer at her.
She rolls her eyes at me. „Oh my God, you’re so dramatic!”
„I bet you didn’t even talk to Dad about this, did you?”
She shakes her head. „You know what he would say.”
