Chapter 314: The Final Wager

A few minutes later, Gracie returned with two printed copies of the agreement.

She placed one in front of John Ascott and the other before Kristoff Dalton.

The document was brief but precise. It clearly outlined the terms of their wager, the five-percent shareholding at stake, and the deadline by which Kristoff had to fulfill his promise. Both men were required to sign, making the agreement legally binding.

Kristoff picked up the pen.

Without so much as glancing at the document, he signed his name.

His movements were swift and decisive, as though he were signing an ordinary business memo rather than risking five percent of his shares in the Dalton conglomerate.

He set the pen down and pushed the agreement toward John.

"Your turn."

John glanced at the document.

For the first time since proposing the wager, his confidence faltered.

Five percent was no small stake. Losing that many shares would cost him a substantial sum and potentially weaken his position within the company. Although he trusted his own judgment, he wasn’t accustomed to gambling such a valuable asset without carefully considering every possible outcome.

His gaze lingered on the agreement.

It was only a moment’s hesitation, but Kristoff caught it.

The younger man leaned back in his chair, a faint smile playing at the corners of his lips.

"What’s the matter, Mr. Ascott?" he asked casually. "You were the one who proposed this wager. Don’t tell me you’re having second thoughts already."

John’s expression darkened.

"Are you suggesting I’m afraid of you?"

"Not at all." Kristoff shrugged. "I’m simply wondering why you’re taking so long to sign a document you seemed so eager to put in front of me."

A few board members exchanged glances.

John’s jaw tightened.

"Don’t flatter yourself, Young Dalton."

He snatched up the pen and signed his name with an aggressive stroke.

"There. Are you satisfied now?"

"Very."

Kristoff collected the two copies and inspected the signatures. After confirming that both documents had been signed, he handed one to Gracie.

"Keep these somewhere safe."

"Yes, President Dalton."

John folded his arms and leaned back in his chair, his earlier smugness returning.

"Enjoy your remaining time, Young Dalton. When the clock strikes twelve, I expect you to honor our agreement."

Kristoff met his gaze without blinking.

"Of course, Mr. Ascott. I always honor my agreements."

He glanced at the clock on the wall.

It was three quarters past nine.

Two hours and forty-five minutes remained.

For most people, that would hardly be enough time to turn a losing situation around. But Kristoff showed no sign of urgency. If anything, he seemed almost amused by the thought of the deadline looming over him.

He rose from his chair and buttoned his suit jacket.

"Now, if everyone has finished discussing my personal affairs, perhaps we can return to the matters that actually concern this company."

His gaze swept across the boardroom, briefly settling on John.

"After all, unlike some people in this room, I have work to do."

Without waiting for a response, Kristoff strode toward the door.

The sound of his polished shoes echoed across the marble floor before the door closed behind him.

Henry remained seated, staring at the space his son had just vacated.

He had watched Kristoff grow from an impulsive young man into a formidable businessman. He knew his son’s strengths, but he also knew his weaknesses. Kristoff’s confidence had sometimes bordered on recklessness, and his stubbornness had cost him dearly in the past.

Was he about to repeat the same mistake he did?

Henry turned his attention to John Ascott.

The older man’s smug expression suggested that he had already counted his winnings.

Henry couldn’t help feeling a twinge of sympathy for his son.

I hope you know what you’re doing, Kristoff.

Yet something about his son’s composure bothered him—or perhaps reassured him.

Kristoff had signed away the possibility of losing five percent of his shares without the slightest hesitation. He had walked out of the room as though the outcome had already been decided.

If that confidence was justified, then John Ascott might have just made the most expensive mistake of his life.

Henry looked at the clock.

Two hours and forty-five minutes.

By noon, one of the two men would have a great deal to celebrate.

The other might have to swallow his pride in front of the entire board.

And judging by the expression on his son’s face, Henry had a feeling that the real show had only just begun.

The question was whether Kristoff’s plan would succeed—or whether this wager would become the beginning of an even greater disaster.

...

After the board meeting, Kristoff headed straight to another conference room in the Dalton headquarters.

A press conference had been arranged at his request.

By the time he arrived, reporters from major news outlets were already waiting, their cameras trained on the podium and their microphones poised for the moment he appeared. Several large screens displayed the live broadcast, allowing viewers across the country to watch the proceedings in real time.

The moment Kristoff entered, the room erupted.

"President Dalton, is it true that you abandoned Charlotte Harris for your son’s mother?"

"Did you propose to Isobel because you felt obligated to marry her?"

"How do you respond to accusations that you’ve been playing with both women’s feelings?"

"Are you going to take responsibility for your actions, or will you simply let your family’s wealth clean up another scandal?"

Questions came from every direction.

Reporters pressed forward, thrusting their microphones forward as camera shutters clicked incessantly.

Kristoff took his seat.

He didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he surveyed the room with a composed expression, allowing the commotion to continue until the public’s attention settled on him.

Then he leaned toward the microphone.

"Everyone has been calling me irresponsible and fickle-minded."

He paused.

"On that point, I admit I’m guilty."

A wave of gasps swept through the room.

The reporters exchanged surprised looks. They had expected a carefully worded statement, perhaps even a denial. They hadn’t expected the president of the Dalton Realty to admit his faults so openly.

On the livestream, the comment section exploded.

He’s actually admitting it?

At least he’s not pretending to be innocent.

I never thought I’d hear a CEO say that about himself.

Fine. I’ll give him a thumbs-up for having the courage to admit his mistakes.

Kristoff waited for the commotion to subside.

"Because of my selfishness, I used an innocent woman as a means to achieve my own goals. I made decisions based on what I wanted, without fully considering the consequences for the people involved."

His expression grew solemn.

"Isobel didn’t deserve that. Whatever mistakes I’ve made, she should never have been forced to bear the consequences of my selfishness alone."

The room quieted.