The Supreme Son-in-Law

Chapter 8: The Walker Family Matriarch

"Are you Michelle?" Christopher glanced at Michelle, his eyes filled with curiosity.

"I'm really sorry, Mr. Bennett. I swung by your place to pick you up, but nobody was there. Then, traffic was a nightmare on my way back to the office, so I ended up late," Michelle explained softly, slightly bowing her head. She certainly didn't want to leave a bad impression on the new president on his first day.

"Michelle, what on earth are you doing?" Evelyn stormed over, jabbing a finger at Christopher. "He's just a lowly employee, and I already fired him. How dare you address him like that?"

"A low-level employee? Fired?" Michelle flipped open the folder, pulled out a document, and scrutinized the photo. Turning to Evelyn, she declared, "Nope, this is definitely our new president, Mr. Bennett."

Oh my God!

What did she just say?

The new president? Mr. Bennett!

The head of security felt his knees go weak. He swallowed hard, wanting to speak, but found his throat blocked, unable to utter a word.

Everyone around was wide-eyed, staring at Christopher as if they'd seen a ghost.

"How can that be? Are you sure you haven't mixed him up with someone else?" Lily gasped, biting her lip. "Maybe it's just someone with the same name as the president?"

"Same name?" Michelle opened the folder again, took out the documents, and placed them in front of Lily. "Take a look yourself. Isn't the person in the photo Mr. Bennett? This document was personally delivered by our clan leader yesterday. I even have the share transfer agreement, complete with the clan leader's signature!"

It's over!

The instant Lily's eyes locked onto the document, her mind went blank, as if she'd been hit by a bolt of lightning.

She had offended the new president of Vision Entertainment to the core. How could she have a good life after this? At that moment, she regretted it so much that her intestines turned green, and her tightly bitten lips bled slightly.

Next to her, Evelyn was equally flustered. Although she was the deputy director, with a high position and authority, she was ultimately just an employee. This company was, after all, a Bennett Family enterprise, and if she hadn't misheard earlier, the clan leader had transferred Vision Entertainment's shares to the person in front of her. This meant that the person in front of her was not only the president but also her boss!

"Mr... Mr. Bennett..." Evelyn was extremely anxious, her head lowered like a defeated rooster, her proud head bowed.

"Oh, I couldn't possibly handle that. What if you tell me to scram again?" Christopher's smile was warm, but to Evelyn, it felt like ice down her spine.

"Mr. Bennett, it's all my fault... I'll reflect on myself at the meeting later!" Evelyn gritted her teeth, deciding that saving her position was more important than saving face.

Christopher didn't even glance at her. Instead, he turned to look at the head of security, whose legs were trembling uncontrollably.

The head of security was sweating like rain, forcing a smile that was more like a grimace. "Mr. Bennett... I..."

"You're dismissed!" Christopher uttered just two words before turning on his heel and striding towards the company.

It's really over this time!

With a stumble, the head of security collapsed onto the ground, his heart heavy with despair, his earlier bravado vanished.

A procession of people trailed cautiously behind Christopher, catching the eyes of company employees who whispered amongst themselves.

Evelyn and Lily also followed behind Christopher, exchanging bitter smiles. Even in their sky-high heels, they didn't dare slow down for a second.

If they slowed down now, they'd never have another chance. Even if their ankles ached, they dared not show it on their faces.

As the news of the new president's appointment spread rapidly throughout the company, excitement buzzed in the air. No one knew what the new president looked like, but seeing someone stride confidently ahead of the formidable Evelyn, who was struggling to keep pace in her towering heels, left no doubt that this was the man in charge.

In the ruthless corporate jungle, everyone had the keen eye to spot power instantly. As Christopher led the way, employees paused in their tracks, bowing and greeting him with respect.

Vision Entertainment Group, the crown jewel of Riverwest City's entertainment industry, boasted opulent and grandiose interiors. The president's office was the epitome of opulence, a throne fit for the new monarch of the company.

Sitting in the plush chair reserved for the president, Christopher was overwhelmed with a mix of nostalgia and triumph. Two years of plummeting from grace and clawing back from the abyss had led him here.

"Mr. Bennett..."

Evelyn and Lily stood by, heads bowed, waiting for his judgment. Christopher took a moment to study Evelyn. It was only today that he discovered Lily had an older cousin, and quite a stunning one at that. Upon closer inspection, the family resemblance was undeniable.

"Mr. Bennett... I apologize..." Evelyn murmured, unable to meet his gaze. "This was entirely my fault. If you must punish someone, let it be me. Please, just let Lily sign with the company. I'll do anything for her to get that contract."

"Anything?" Christopher asked with a playful glint in his eye. The sisterly bond between them was heartwarming. Just as he was about to respond, his assistant Michelle knocked and entered the room.

"Mr. Bennett, the Walker Family from Riverwest City has sent someone with gifts to congratulate you on your new position," Michelle announced.

"Oh? Gifts?" Christopher chuckled. The Walker Family was certainly well-informed. "There's no such thing as a free lunch. They must have an ulterior motive, right?"

"Indeed, Mr. Bennett. They also wish to discuss a potential collaboration with you."

"Collaboration?" Christopher inquired. "Who did the Walker Family send with the gifts?"

"Harry!"

Harry?

Christopher let out a laugh and said to Michelle, "The Walker Family sent a fool to discuss collaboration? Tell him to pack up his gifts and scram!"

"Yes, Mr. Bennett!"

Michelle, ever the diligent assistant, was quick to carry out the president's orders.

......

At the Walker Estate, the matriarch convened an urgent family meeting, gathering over a hundred family members. She sat at the head of the table, with a defeated Harry by her side.

Harry was seething with anger, clenching his teeth as he vented, "Grandmother, Vision Entertainment has no respect for us! I went to present our gifts, and not only did they refuse to entertain me, but they also called me a fool and told me to leave with the gifts!"

"Their insult to me is an insult to the Walker Family and to you, Grandmother. They don't see us as worthy at all!"

The matriarch shook her head, her expression a tapestry of worry. The Walker Family was merely a third-rate family, while the Bennett Family was the top family in the Southern River District and renowned nationwide.

What could they possibly do in the face of such insult? Oppose the Bennett Family? That would be like bringing a knife to a gunfight. She wasn't so old as to be foolish.

The Walker Family members, seeing their matriarch remain silent, were filled with indignation but dared not voice it. If the head of the family didn't speak, they had no right to either.

"Alright, I'll remember how you suffered for the family this time, and I'll make it up to you," the matriarch said, waving her hand to calm the agitated Harry.

A flicker of joy sparked in Harry's heart, but he maintained a neutral facade as he replied, "Yes, Grandmother. I did it for the family. A little humiliation is nothing. I'd walk through fire for the family without flinching."

Old Lady Walker's face lit up with satisfaction, her eyes gleaming with approval as she gazed at Harry. She raised a hand to quiet the room and said, "Alright, back to business. I’ve heard that the new president of Vision Entertainment Group is a young man in his early twenties. With such powerful support, it's no surprise he's a bit full of himself. Even if their attitude isn't the best, if the Walker Family wants to reach new heights, we have to keep pursuing a partnership with them."

After she finished speaking, she paused and scanned the room. "Who else is willing to negotiate?"

Seriously? They still want to negotiate?

After Harry's fiasco, going back would just be asking for more humiliation, right?

The room buzzed with whispers, but not a single person dared to step up.

Old Lady Walker sighed, knowing Harry had set a troublesome precedent. Everyone feared another ejection by Vision Entertainment; failing to secure a deal was one thing, but losing face was far worse.

But if they could land a deal with Vision Entertainment, the Walker Family could definitely climb a few rungs on the social ladder. When it came to family interests, personal pride was a small price to pay.

Old Lady Walker felt a pang of disappointment. Out of hundreds of Walker family members, not a single one was willing to step up and tackle this challenge.

Just then, Harry's eyes landed on Mia, standing quietly in the corner. A sly smile crept across his face as he stood up and loudly suggested, "Grandma, the new president is a spirited young man, and Mia is the jewel of our Walker Family. As the saying goes, 'heroes fall for beauties.' I think we should let Mia give it a try."

"Harry, you..." Mia stood up, pointing at Harry, speechless. What a devious suggestion! To sugarcoat it, he was playing to the president's tastes; to be blunt, it was outright seduction. The worst part? She was a married woman! He was trying to tarnish her reputation!