The Supreme Son-in-Law

Chapter 3: Defamation

"Hey there, it's Christopher speaking. If you want my help with the family, there are two conditions you've got to fulfill."

"First, send me the 'Castle in the Sky' necklace by the French jewelry designer, Alan. Second, is there someone in our family named Daniel? I want to see him bankrupt."

With that, Christopher snapped his phone shut, not caring whether the person on the other end had heard him clearly.

Just then, his phone buzzed with a text from Mia: "Christopher, the Walker Family's annual dinner is tonight. Get yourself a new outfit, don't make me look bad."

......

In the lavish Richman Manor of Riverwest City, where the wealthy and influential reside, even having money doesn't guarantee you a villa here.

This was the meeting place for the clan leader and Christopher.

Christopher lounged casually on a deck chair, with Clan Leader Thomas, his second uncle, sitting across from him.

Thomas let out a chuckle, taking in Christopher's laid-back demeanor, "Chris, it's been two years, and you haven't changed a bit."

"Uncle, let's cut to the chase. I have plans tonight. Just tell me how much more the family needs," Christopher said, taking a swig from the teapot.

"Well..." Thomas, despite his experience as the clan leader, seemed a bit hesitant, clearly finding it hard to ask his younger relative for help.

"About 50 billion..."

Holy cow, 50 billion?!

"Uh, Uncle, my wife's calling me home for dinner. Let's chat next time, okay?" Christopher sprang up from the chair, ready to leave.

"Chris." Thomas hurriedly blocked Christopher's path, urgently saying, "The family is at a critical juncture. Without this funding, generations of effort will be ruined! Plus, I'll agree to your two conditions. Daniel will be penniless by tonight, and the 'Castle in the Sky' is already on its way to you."

"Uncle, it's not that I don't want to help, but where would I get that kind of money?" Christopher spread his hands, looking helpless.

"Chris, could you really stand by and watch the family that raised you crumble? You have 60 billion in your bank account!" Thomas appealed to both reason and emotion, "Remember, Bennett blood runs through your veins."

Christopher's face was all smiles, but as soon as those words left his uncle's mouth, his smile faded like a sunset. "Uncle, two years ago, when I bought shares in Jiangnan Energy, my cousin accused me of money laundering, embezzling family funds, and lining my own pockets. The entire family turned on us like a pack of wolves on wounded prey. Did a single soul stand up for me back then?"

"Over the years, haven't I toiled endlessly to make money for the family? As the head of the Bennett Family, don't you have any idea? And the 20 million I used to buy Jiangnan Energy Group shares was painstakingly saved through my own efforts. That money was never the family's."

"For the past two years, I've been living with the Walker Family, treated like dirt. Has anyone from the family ever come to see me?"

"If it weren't for this financial crisis, you'd have likely erased me from your memory!" Christopher's fists clenched tightly, veins bulging on the back of his hands, clearly struggling to control his emotions.

"Chris, we were in the wrong. I offer my sincerest apologies on behalf of the family... The family is in dire straits now and desperately needs this money."

Seeing Christopher still unmoved, his uncle stepped forward, gripping Christopher's arm firmly, and said each word with weight, "Chris, if you help the family through this crisis, I can make you the President of Vision Entertainment. You can start tomorrow, and someone will come to pick you up."

Vision Entertainment was the most promising entertainment company under the Bennett Family, wholly owned by them.

The company currently boasted several top-tier stars, numerous second-tier celebrities, and rising talents.

It had always been managed by his cousin, Vincent.

For his uncle to be willing to hand over the company to him showed just how desperate the Bennett Family's situation had become.

"Fine, we'll do it your way," Christopher thought for a moment, then nodded.

Even though shelling out 5 billion for Vision Entertainment seemed like a raw deal, his uncle was practically groveling. He'd give him this face, after all, he was his uncle.

With that, Christopher turned and left.

Tonight was the Walker Family's annual bash, but before that, there was something even more pressing—a class reunion.

The reunion was about to start, and he couldn't be late.

He longed to catch up with those high school pals he hadn't seen in ages.

This time, the whole class was expected, and word on the street was that even their drop-dead gorgeous homeroom teacher would make an appearance. He definitely couldn't be late.

Meanwhile, over at Unique Creations Ltd., Mia stepped out of her office, having just finished a shareholders' meeting, and saw a few female employees chatting and laughing while looking at their phones.

She frowned, thinking, how could they be slacking off during work hours?

Mia strolled over and found them clustered around a phone, eyes glued to the screen. And who else could be the star of the video but Christopher?

"Don't worry, I'll get back at them for you!"

In the video, Christopher was gingerly picking up an electric scooter, his face twisted with indignation.

"Who is this weirdo? I'm cracking up!"

"You mean this weirdo is our boss Mia's husband?"

"What? The one who's living off Mia? I thought it was just a rumor, but it's actually true?"

The women formed a tight circle, mocking and laughing at the video.

Then one woman put down her phone, her voice laced with intrigue, "You have no idea what I saw this morning."

"What did you see? Spill it!" The others leaned in, eyes wide with curiosity.

"Here's the scoop..." The woman stood up, diving into a lively recount, detailing every twist and turn. When she got to the part where Christopher boldly claimed he'd buy Mia the "Castle in the Sky" necklace, the women burst into laughter.

"Haha, with his scruffy look, buying 'Castle in the Sky'? That's the funniest thing I've heard all year."

"Exactly, a mooch dreaming of snagging a $20 million necklace? He must be out of his mind!"

As they reveled in their ridicule, one of the women turned to grab her bag and caught sight of Mia standing behind them.

Her mind froze. The others sensed the shift in the air and turned around, their faces went pale.

"M-Ms. Mia, we... we..."

They stammered, struggling to string words together. One of the women, more timid than the rest, saw Mia's furious expression and tears welled up in her eyes.

"You... you all should get back to work." With that, Mia turned and walked away.

Back in her office, Mia's tears brimmed over. She bit her lip, feeling completely mortified. As the company's chairwoman, her private life had become the talk of the office. How could she maintain any authority now? Her mind spun in a whirlwind of chaos.

Meanwhile, Christopher returned home in high spirits. Just as he opened the door, he saw his mother-in-law, Jessica, sitting on the sofa with her legs crossed, piercing him with an icy glare. "You're just in time. Come here, I have something to discuss with you."