Counterattack Of The Useless Son-in-law

3

Robert handed James a sleek black VIP card. "This is for you, Son. You can withdraw any amount, purchase anything you desire, and take care of your needs. The pin is 6438"

James looked at the sleek black VIP card in his hand and then at Robert, "Tell me, what's the limit on how much I can buy with this card?" James asked.

Robert smiled. "There is no limit, Son. This card grants you unrestricted access to my wealth."

James raised an eyebrow. "No limits? That's impossible."

Robert chuckled. "For you, Son, nothing is impossible. This card is linked to my personal account, and I've authorized unlimited transactions."

James stared at the card, finding everything that had been going on for the past few days hard to take in.

Robert assured him, "And you don't need to worry, the card has state-of-the-art encryption and security measures. You're safe."

"This is...incredible."

Robert continued, "And there's more. I want you to inherit XY Corps one day. You'll be the perfect successor."

James shook his head. "I am not interested in any of your companies."

Robert focused his warm and desperate eyes on James. Sighing heavily, he said, barely concealing a quiver in his voice.

"James, this is important and I want you to know it: do take your time learning how slow or fast it is to grasp the basics of how XY Corps operates. Examine the work processes, get in touch with the upper management, and align with the company's values. But I don't want you to take so long to do so, Son."

James furrowed his brow in a frown. He, for some reason, was feeling the seriousness of the moment.

However, Robert's sadness changed into seriousness, 'My health is declining everyday, James. There is this guilty conscience of dying without making sure XY Corps has a future that makes. It makes me restless'" Robert said.

Robert's voice shook with love and sadness. "I have chased after the dream of building this empire that I have had and I am sure that it will outlive me. Out of everyone in the world, you are the only person I can depend on to carry on what I have worked for. Hurry and grasp what you need to know, James. Makes me proud. I will not be here forever."

James nodded, a glint of steely resolve in his eyes.

While ROBERT'S weak hand clutched the hand of JAMES, his eyes were very desperate. "This is a good one, James. Promise me you will look after XY Corps, defend its history, and...make it flourish. Do not allow my purpose in this life to be in vain."

JAMES replied rather firmly. "I promise, Robert. I will not disappoint you."

The tension upon ROBERT'S features once gradually lessened after hearing that.

As James prepared to leave, Robert said, "Why don't you move into my mansion? You can live with me or I can have them build a larger and more comfortable mansion."

James declined. "No, thank you. I have a home."

Robert understood. "I respect that. But know you're always welcome."

"Do I have a brother or... Sister by any chance?" James' asked. Robert was an influential man and it was very normal for him to have more than one son.

"No. I had a son before you were born, but he was taken away from me and your mother. We found his dead body, later on," Robert said, forcing a smile.

"Oh...." James muttered, not knowing exactly how to feel and what to say. "Okay, I will be leaving then. Goodbye"

*****

The next day, James visited the bank to withdraw cash to buy some groceries and a few other household necessities, like a TV, cause he didn't have one. He arrived at 10:00 AM and as he approached the VIP section, a woman recognized him.

The woman's gaze swept over James' casual attire. "I think you've lost your way, James. This is the VIP section. It's for esteemed clients, not..."

She paused, her tone dripping with disdain.

"...not someone like you."

James stared back at the lady, finding her familiar then he remembered. She was one of Lilian's friends. James couldn't remember her name but all he knew was that it started with M.

"Leave, or else I will call security," She continued. "You can't even afford a decent meal without her family's handouts. You're a parasite, sucking the life out of others and you dare to come to this section."

James ignored her and presented the black VIP card.

Her gaze narrowed as James handed her the black VIP card.

"Where did you get this?" she asked, suspicion evident in her voice.

James raised an eyebrow. "It was gifted to me."

Her expression turned incredulous. "Impossible. This card is reserved for the world's elite. Only five individuals hold this card, and the minimum account balance is $100 million."

She eyed James' casual attire and remembered his delivery guy reputation.

"You're a freeloader, living off your wife's family's money. There's no way you can afford this."

Her mind was made up. "You stole this card."

James' expression remained calm. "I assure you, I didn't."

Mary sneered. "Save it for the authorities. I'm calling security."

Just then, the bank's owner, Mr. Thompson, approached.

"What's the commotion?" he asked with a frown on his face.

The woman pointed at James. "He's trying to withdraw money with a stolen card."

Mr. Thompson's expression changed as he took the card, examining it with carefulness. "This is...impossible," he muttered. "This card is reserved for billionaires, the world's richest individuals on at least three continents."

The woman stared at him in shock for a few minutes. Billionaire?

Richest individuals?

Nah, those words didn't fit James' description at all.

"Sir, I am very sure he stole it. This guy is my friend's husband and he can't afford three meals a day! He is well known for being a useless, poor... "

The woman was interrupted by a loud, heavy smack on her right cheek. Her cheek reddened immediately and tears clouded her eyes. Her hand flew to her cheek in shock and her eyes widened in disbelief.

"Your stupidity can cost me my company so just shut up!" Mr Thompson screamed at her. "This exact type of card can't be stolen! Mr. Williams probably gave him the card himself"

Just a few minutes ago, he was in his office, typing on his laptop and sipping a mug of coffee when, all of a sudden, his phone rang. It was from Ken, one of Mr. Robert William's trusted bodyguards. He threatened Mr. Thompson that he would destroy his bank if he didn't do something about the commotion in the VIP section of the bank. Mr. Thompson abandoned his work and ran to the VIP section.

Mr. Thompson glared at her. "How dare you embarrass our esteemed client? Apologize!"

The woman's face turned pale, her heart thumped loudly in her chest. Mr. Williams gave James this card himself?

The woman stuttered, "I-I'm sorry, sir."

"Your services are no longer needed." Mr. Thompson couldn't have this type of careless person as a worker in his bank ever again.

He turned to James, falling on his knees. "Sir James, Please accept my sincerest apologies. You won't be treated this way again."

"No worries. Just do your job."

With the withdrawal successful, James purchased the TV and a few other things that he had always wanted. It took him up to an hour to fix everything. He smiled. If Lily was here, she would be very elated and would dance around the living room happily. Unfortunately, she was not with him right now; she wasn't his child, so he had no right to try and claim her.

Suddenly, a knock was heard, and James opened the door to see Lilian standing there in a red body hug gown with a smug look on her face.

"What do you want?" James' asked.

"Don't think I am here to give you another chance" Lilian chuckled, "Well, I am here to give you an invitation card to my wedding next week Monday"

She dipped her hand into her purse and pulled out an invitation card, "Even if you don't have a reason to come, at least come for the free food. Bill is rich enough to not only prepare a grand wedding ceremony for me but there's also a chance for poor people like you to eat to your fill."

James was about to reject the invitation, however, he changed his mind at the last minute. He took the invitation card from her and tried closing the door but Lilian stopped that from happening by using her foot to block the door.

"I knew you would never turn my invitation down the moment you heard free food," Lilian said mockingly, "I am leaving. I am afraid that if I stay here much longer, I might contact your poverty"

She squeezed her face, disgust evident in her face as she walked away.

James' took some steps back into his small living room before grabbing his phone. He dialed a number and waited patiently for the person on the other side to answer the phone.

"I never expected you to call back so quickly"

"I've decided to take over completely as your successor and the new CEO of XY Corps"