Chapter 006
1543 Words
The idea that Autumn Lee, CEO of Venture Group, would invite a freshly released convict to dinner?
Cheney Wainright looked at Cliff as though he were watching a particularly amusing circus performer, shaking his head with theatrical mockery.
"I never imagined Brother Cliff had connections with such important people! Why don't you bring her down here later so I can meet her too? I'd love to see this mysterious benefactor of yours."
Wanda Sutton's face twisted with disgust.
"Cheney, why are you even bothering to engage with this clown? If you don't find this embarrassing, I certainly do!"
Then she suddenly looped her arm through Cheney's possessively, turning to address Quinn Sutton and Trish Wainright with an expression of barely contained excitement.
"Dad, Mom, we actually called you here today because we have important news to share. Cheney and I have discussed it thoroughly."
She paused for dramatic effect.
"We've decided to get our marriage license next week!"
Hearing this announcement, Quinn Sutton's face lit up with unrestrained delight, his mouth stretching into a broad smile he couldn't suppress even if he'd wanted to.
Although the Sutton Family was certainly prosperous and influential within River City's business community, they ultimately remained a second-tier family—respectable but not truly elite.
But if they could align themselves with the Wainright Family, one of the Three Great Families that dominated the city's economic landscape? Within three years, they'd catapult into the first tier. The opportunities, the connections, the sheer prestige—it was almost too good to be true.
"Really? This is wonderful news!"
Trish let out a delighted exclamation, looking at Cheney with eyes full of approval and satisfaction.
"Our family finally has a reliable son-in-law! Not like certain other people who only cause trouble and embarrassment!"
Her pointed glance toward the corner where Cliff stood made her meaning abundantly clear.
"However!"
Wanda continued, her voice taking on a more calculated tone.
"You both saw Cheney's dedication today—he went to extraordinary lengths for Grandfather's cancer treatment, even arranging for Chris to come personally. Our family absolutely cannot allow the Wainright Family to look down on us!"
She took a breath, then delivered her proposal.
"For the dowry, I think ten million dollars would be appropriate. And after Cheney and I are married, I believe Sutton International should be placed under his management!"
The moment Wanda's words finished echoing through the private room, the previously joyful atmosphere plummeted instantly to freezing.
"I don't agree!" Wendy was the first to voice opposition, her tone sharp and firm.
"What you're proposing is essentially inviting a wolf into our home!"
"Furthermore, Grandfather's illness wasn't even cured by that Chris charlatan—he's a complete fraud from start to finish!"
Wanda clearly assumed her sister was simply unwilling to relinquish her position as CEO of Sutton International. She released a cold, contemptuous laugh.
"How ridiculous!"
"If Chris didn't cure Grandfather, are you seriously suggesting it was that useless husband you dragged home? Please!"
"Grandfather's improvement was absolutely the result of my acupuncture treatment. That's indisputable!"
Cliff stated firmly, his voice carrying unshakable certainty.
"However, to achieve a complete cure, I'll need to continue treatments for approximately one month."
The moment Cliff finished speaking, Wanda erupted into mocking laughter, making no effort whatsoever to disguise her derision.
"You're actually trying to claim credit for Chris's work? I've never encountered someone so utterly shameless in my entire life!"
"Wanda, listen to me..." Wendy attempted to defend Cliff, preparing to explain the situation.
But before she could continue, Cheney suddenly interjected smoothly.
"Wanda, let's not put your parents in such an awkward position! Sutton International is, after all, your family's company. Having an outsider like me take control really wouldn't be appropriate."
He paused, his expression becoming thoughtful.
"Besides, Brother Cliff apparently has connections with Autumn Lee herself! With someone like that supporting Sutton International, the company's meteoric rise is practically guaranteed!"
"Cheney, we're about to get married—how could you possibly be considered an outsider?"
Watching Cheney's expression of reluctant hesitation, Wanda felt genuinely anxious. She couldn't let this opportunity slip away.
"Dad, you know our company's loan has been stuck in bureaucratic limbo for months now! We desperately need that capital infusion for operational cash flow! Cheney's father is the president of River City Bank—with that connection, approval would be guaranteed!"
She pressed her advantage, her voice becoming more urgent.
"And you're not unaware that Uncle has been eyeing the CEO position like a hungry wolf! Cheney's abilities and business acumen would completely crush any ambitions he has. He'd finally give up that dream!"
Hearing Wanda's comprehensive explanation, Quinn Sutton's expression clearly showed he was wavering, genuinely considering the proposal.
At that precise moment, a commotion from Royal Grand Hotel's main entrance interrupted the discussion occurring within the private room.
Everyone's attention shifted toward the source of the disturbance. A convoy of luxury vehicles had arrived with impressive fanfare, pulling up to the hotel entrance in perfect formation. From the rear vehicles, more than a dozen black-suited bodyguards emerged and immediately began clearing the area with professional efficiency.
The sheer scale of the display was absolutely staggering!
Then, from the lead vehicle—a pristine Rolls-Royce Phantom—stepped a woman wearing a striking red dress that hugged her exceptional figure.
Her facial features were exquisitely refined, her presence radiating sophistication and allure. Her eyes in particular were captivating—phoenix eyes that seemed capable of entrancing anyone who met her gaze, almost supernatural in their magnetism.
Yet paradoxically, the aura emanating from her entire being was one of ice-cold authority that warned people to maintain their distance.
This was Autumn Lee, CEO of Venture Group—River City's legendary business queen, a woman whose reputation commanded respect and fear in equal measure throughout the entire commercial district.
Cliff suddenly stood up with complete composure.
"Please excuse me for a moment. Since Autumn Lee has arrived, I should head up to Rain-Listening Pavilion for our appointment."
After giving Wendy a reassuring smile, Cliff left the room without hesitation, his bearing confident and unhurried.
Watching Cliff's departing figure, Quinn Sutton stood frozen in momentary confusion.
Could it possibly be true? Did this man actually know Autumn Lee?
Had he completely misjudged the situation?
Just as Quinn began questioning his own assessment, a familiar license plate number appeared outside Royal Grand Hotel's entrance. From that vehicle emerged a middle-aged man who bore a striking resemblance to Cheney.
Cheney suddenly slapped his forehead dramatically.
"Look at my terrible memory! My father has a dinner meeting with Autumn Lee here at Royal Grand Hotel today—they're supposed to discuss that ten billion dollar loan! How could I possibly have forgotten?"
He turned to Wanda with an apologetic expression.
"Wanda, I'm so sorry, but I won't be able to stay for dinner with Uncle and Aunt after all. Autumn Lee specifically requested to meet with me personally!"
As he spoke, Cheney slowly rose from his seat, bowing repeatedly toward Quinn Sutton and Trish in exaggerated apology.
"Cheney, don't worry about it at all—you should hurry along!" Quinn urged quickly, his tone almost obsequious.
The moment Cheney's figure disappeared from the private room, Trish immediately began her tirade.
"What an absolutely useless braggart! Did you see his pathetic performance? Claiming Autumn Lee invited him to dinner—what a joke!"
She sniffed disdainfully.
"Only accomplished young professionals like Cheney could possibly catch Autumn Lee's attention!"
Wanda seized the opportunity to press her case.
"Dad, Mom, what are you still hesitating about?"
"Didn't you see? Even Autumn Lee is willing to humble herself to seek favors from Cheney's father!"
"Putting Sutton International under Cheney's management would be an investment with guaranteed returns!"
Cliff made his way directly to the Rain-Listening Pavilion private room on the third floor. Autumn Lee was already waiting, seated at an elegantly appointed table.
Upon seeing her, Cliff showed no hesitation. He immediately withdrew Jason Lee's urn from his bag and placed it carefully into Autumn Lee's hands.
"These are your brother's remains. My condolences."
The moment Autumn saw the small container, her enchanting phoenix eyes immediately turned bloodshot, tears threatening to spill.
She raised her arm suddenly, clearly intending to hurl the urn violently to the floor!
"He has no right to come back! No right!"
Fortunately, Cliff's reflexes were sharp enough. He caught her wrist just in time, preventing the destruction.
"Everyone makes mistakes—no one is perfect. Your brother had regrets about his actions. At the very least, please keep this."
Autumn stood frozen in place, her entire body rigid. After a long moment, she released a slightly unhinged laugh.
"How convenient for him! He gambled away our entire family fortune in a single night—everything we'd built over generations—and then he just walked away! He got to escape, to run off and leave all the consequences behind! But that two hundred million dollars in debt? That all fell on me to handle alone!"
Her voice cracked with bitter anguish.
"And the most hilarious part? Even I, his own sister, was nothing more than a chip he threw onto the gambling table when he ran out of money!"
- Writer
