This was also the first time Charlie had ever met Doris.

He had to admit that Doris was a very stunning and alluring young lady!

She was about twenty-seven or eight years of age with a slender yet plump body figure, captivating appearance, and a very mature and honorable manner.

Sitting down in front of Doris’s desk, Charlie started, “I will not come into the office often, so I would like you to continue looking over the company on my behalf. In addition, please do not disclose my identity to the public.”

Doris was aware that Mr. Wade, who was sitting in front of her now, came from the extraordinary Wade family. For a prominent family like theirs, Emgrand Group was nothing but a mediocre business, so it was normal for him not to manage it himself. Hence, she quickly said, “Sure. Mr. Wade, just tell me if you need anything, I’ll be at your service.”

At this moment, a secretary knocked on the door and said, “Miss Young, a man called Gerald White and his fiancé are here to see you.”

Doris said instantly, “I’m seeing a VIP now, let them wait.”

Charlie asked, “Do you know Gerald White?”

“Mr. White’s family is one of our partners and several of their major projects are linked to our company. They have said that they will be here to see me, they have been here several times too.”

Charlie uttered in a cold voice, “From now on, Emgrand Group would no longer have any business dealings with the White family. Halt all ongoing and preparatory projects. If the White family still earns a dime from our company, I don’t need you as our vice-chairman!”

Doris startled in shock for a while, figuring that someone from the White family must have offended the man. So, she nodded vigorously and exclaimed, “Mr. Wade, don’t worry, I’ll now order my staff to stop all collaboration with the White family!”

Charlie nodded satisfyingly and said, “Tell them that Emgrand Group has no interest in collaborating with lowly garbage, then ask the guards to kick them out.”

***

Outside the office, Gerald and Wendy were waiting anxiously.

The White family had always wanted to be the key players in the collaboration with Emgrand Group, so he hoped that he could build a good relationship with Doris Young and thus bring the family closer to the connection.

However, the least expected thing happened. Doris’s secretary approached them with several guards.

Gerald asked in confusion, “Hi, may I know if Miss Young is available to see us now?”

The secretary glared coldly at him and said, “Sorry, our vice-chairman said that Emgrand Group has no interest in collaborating with lowly garbage like you. From now on, we will cancel all the projects with your family!”

“What did you say?!”

Gerald gaped in extreme shock and his jaw almost dropped to the floor. Why did he find the remark so familiar anyway?

Oh, right! Charlie Wade said the exact same thing when they were in the parking lot!

What did Doris Young mean by that? Did she really intend to halt all the collaboration with the White family?

Gerald felt a surge of blood flooding her head, exploding inside.

What happened?

Canceled all projects?

A large portion of the White family’s profits came from working with Emgrand!

If Emgrand Group terminated their ties, didn’t it mean that the family’s net worth would be cut by half?

No, he couldn’t accept such a cruel fact. He growled loudly, “I want to see Miss Young! I want to ask her in person!”

The secretary simply glared at him coldly. “I’m sorry, Miss Young will not see you and you’re not allowed here in the future!”

Gerald shouted in great dismay, “Are you freaking kidding me? We are a long-term business partner of Emgrand, it isn’t up to her to terminate our projects just like that! Don’t mess with us!”

The secretary ignored his screaming and directed the security guards around her, “Kick them out!”

The head of the security team immediately jumped on them. He grabbed Gerald’s wrist and twisted it hard behind him.

Gerald yelped in pain and Captain Cooper snorted coldly. “Hurry and get out of here! If you dare make a scene at Emgrand Group, I’ll break you in half!”

“You’re just a security guard, how dare you raise your voice at me? Do you know who I am?”

Captain Cooper gave him a slap across his face instantly and shouted, “What are you in the face of Emgrand Group?”

Gerald felt his face burning from the slap. He was about to burst in fury when his phone suddenly rang.

It was his father.

When he answered the call, a furious roar echoed from the other end of the line. “You b*stard! What did you do? Emgrand Group wants to terminate all projects with us! Who on earth did you offend?”

Gerald whined sorrowfully, “No, Dad, that’s not true, I didn’t offend anyone. I just came here to see Miss Young, but I haven’t even seen her face yet…”

Gerald’s father shouted again. “The people at Emgrand Group said that they’ve terminated their collaboration with us because of you, the lowly garbage! It’s all because of you that our family is suffering a great loss! Hurry and come back, explain this to your grandfather yourself!”

Grabbing the phone in a daze, Gerald and Wendy were forcefully escorted out of Emgrand Group’s main entrance.

Suddenly, Charlie’s face appeared in his mind. He turned to Wendy abruptly and asked, “Wendy, is it because of your loser cousin-in-law? Does he have anything to do with Emgrand Group?”

“Huh?” Wendy was obviously taken aback by Gerald’s remark. When she pondered the circumstances, it might indeed have something to do with the loser, but he was a loser!

Thus, she shook her head and uttered firmly, “No, it is absolutely impossible that he has anything to do with Emgrand Group. He is not even qualified to clean their toilets!”

“You’re right…” Gerald nodded numbly. He hung his head low when he thought about his angry father. “I have to return home right away…”

Very soon, the news of the White family being kicked out by Emgrand Group spread throughout Aurous Hill like wildfire.

No one knew of the reason, but they were certain that the White family must have offended Emgrand Group in some way.

At this rate, the White family was considered gone.

Their net worth had been cut short by more than half. They were originally close to the peak of the social ladder in the city, but after the incident, they instantly dropped down several levels and became a second-rate family in terms of social class.

Lady Wilson was shaking with anger when she heard the news.

She wanted to call off Wendy’s engagement with Gerald, but even after the termination, the White family was still more prominent than the Wilson family and she couldn’t afford to lose the ties, so she could only bear with it for the moment.

***

Meanwhile, in Doris’s office, Charlie looked impressed and satisfied after he heard about the process. He highly appreciated her rapid and stern attitude in it.

He said with a satisfied smile, “Doris, great job, you did well. Starting today, your salary will be doubled.”

Doris gaped in astonishment. She stood up and bowed respectfully. “Thank you, Mr. Wade!”

Charlie nodded and continued, “Also, I want you to make two announcements.”

“Yes, please proceed.”

“The first thing is to announce the change of Emgrand Group’s ownership and nomination of the new chairman, but don’t disclose my identity. Just say that he is one Mr. Wade.”

“The second thing is the announcement of Emgrand Group investing two billion dollars to build a six-star hotel in Aurous Hill, and announcing the tender bidding for partners. Construction and interior decorating companies throughout the city are welcome to bid!”

The main business of Wilson Group was interior design and construction. The old lady would dream of hopping on Emgrand’s cruise. Whoever could win the bidding with Emgrand Group would surely become the most sought-after person in the company.

Now that he owned Emgrand Group, he should offer his wife some sweet deals.

The two announcements released by Emgrand Group completely shook the entire Aurous Hill like a high magnitude earthquake.

When the Wilson family learned about the ownership change in Emgrand Group, they figured out why the collaboration with the White family had been terminated.

It seemed that Emgrand’s new owner didn’t think much of the White family.

Back to the point, who was Mr. Wade? He simply bought Emgrand Group that was worth hundreds of billions of dollars without batting an eye—he was a little too powerful, wasn’t he? Even the richest man in Aurous Hill wouldn’t be so generous!

All of a sudden, a lot of wealthy families were about to eagerly make a move. They wished to establish a connection with the mysterious Mr. Wade while on the other hand wished to marry their daughter to him.

Moreover, the announcement about Emgrand Group’s investment of two billion dollars for the hotel construction project also shook the construction and interior decorating industries in Aurous Hill like a great force surging the ground!

Two billion!

They could make a lot of money even tendering scraps of the project!

A lot of companies wanted a slice of the lucrative pie, including Lady Wilson, who loved money more than anything!

Lady Wilson was over the moon at the moment. Two billion dollar project! This was the perfect opportunity for the Wilson family to get a contract from the mega project. It would bring their family to the next level!

Hence, she called for an urgent family meeting at the mansion tonight to discuss ways to achieve a breakthrough in Emgrand Group’s mega project. Everyone had to attend!

Later that night, at the Wilson family mansion, Charlie tagged along since Lady Wilson had asked for everyone’s participation.

He knew about the old lady’s main agenda of the meeting, so he wanted to take this opportunity to boost Claire’s confidence!

When Harold, Claire’s cousin, saw him at the mansion, he mocked disdainfully, “D*mn! Charlie Wade, you’re very shameless. Where did you find your courage to see Grandma now!”

With an indifferent expression on her face, Claire uttered, “Stop your nonsense. Grandma asked everyone in the Wilson family to come. Charlie is my husband, so of course he is a member of the Wilson family too!”

Harold laughed sarcastically. “He is part of the Wilson family? Haha! He is nothing but a live-in son-in-law!”

Charlie rubbed his nose in slight agitation and said to Claire, “Dear, just let him be, don’t argue with him. Let’s go in quick, Grandma is waiting for everyone.”

Claire nodded and walked into the house without batting an eye at Harold.

Harold’s face twisted in an irritated grimace, anticipating their embarrassment later.

After entering the meeting room, Charlie and Claire found a place to sit in the corner.

Very soon, Lady Wilson made a great entrance and the family meeting officially began.

Lady Wilson sat on the head of the table. She knocked on the table and started cheerfully, “We, the Wilson family, have been waiting for a chance like this for so many years, a chance that will bring us to the next level, to the peak of the social pyramid in Aurous Hill! The chance is finally here now!”

She continued loudly, “This time, Emgrand Group has announced a mega project of two billion dollars. If anyone can tender a project from it, it will bring great and lucrative benefits!”

“Moreover, this is Emgrand Group’s first major project after its change of ownership. It is a great opportunity for us!”

“If we can collaborate with Emgrand Group and leave a good impression on the new chairman, we will become very powerful and prominent in the future!”

The attendees were rather indifferent and unpassionate as compared to Lady Wilson’s enthusiasm.

In fact, it wasn’t anything new for the Wilson family wanting to collaborate with Emgrand Group. However, for the longest time, Emgrand Group had ignored the Wilson family’s request. What made Lady Wilson think that they could get a slice of the mega pie from them now? It was impossible.

Annoyed by the silence, Lady Wilson’s face flushed with anger and she shouted furiously, “Why? Are you all dumb now? Do none of you have any confidence in taking a tiny slice of pie from the two billion dollars project?”

Everyone exchanged nervous glances but no one dared to talk.

Lady Wilson was getting more agitated now, she gritted her teeth and growled, “All of you listen to me! Whoever able to get a thirty million dollar deal from the Emgrand Group will be made the director of our company!”

Everyone’s jaws dropped to the floor as if a bomb exploded in the room.

Lady Wilson ruled the family and the company with an iron fist, so she had never once appointed a director in the company. After all, a director would have a lot of power in his hands that most of the time, only the future successor of the company would be qualified to hold the position.

Now that she used the position as a reward, she must have hoped that she would find someone to do the job with the lucrative reward. It was certain that she was extremely eager for the project.

Although the reward was very attractive, it was not an easy task to accomplish.

To strike a deal with Emgrand Group and even get a thirty million dollar contract from it? It was the joke of the century in the eyes of the Wilson family members. Even if Lady Wilson herself went to talk to them, the executives wouldn’t even see her, let alone talk about a collaboration.

The conference hall was as quiet as a church.

Lady Wilson slammed the table furiously and shouted, “All of you are descendants of the Wilson family, can’t anyone of you solve the problem for your family?”

Then, she turned and looked at Harold. “Harold, I’ll pass this job to you!”

Harold managed a bitter laugh and quickly said, “Grandma, even the White family has been kicked out by Emgrand Group. Our family is a level lower than they are, how can we strike a deal with Emgrand…”

Lady Wilson chided indignantly, “Rubbish! How dare you deny yourself before you even try! You are even more hopeless than the loser Charlie!”

Actually, Lady Wilson had no confidence in this either, but she didn’t want to be the head of a family that was always at the second or third level of the social pyramid. She wanted the Wilson family to climb a rung higher even in her dreams.

Emgrand Group’s mega project was her only chance to make her dream come true now. Therefore, she would not give up even if it was difficult.

She thought that as the eldest grandson, Harold, would accept the task willingly, but unexpectedly, he had refused right in her face!

Harold felt dejected and depressed as well. No one in their right mind would accept this impossible task. He was certain that he would be kicked out immediately even before he could walk through Emgrand Group’s door.

At that time, not only would he fail on the task but he would also be ridiculed and mocked for his failure. That was why he could never agree with his grandmother’s order no matter what.

Lady Wilson glared at the rest of the crowd and shouted loudly, “What about the rest of you? Is there no one who would dare take on this challenge?”

At this moment, Charlie nudged Claire with his elbow and whispered, “Darling, accept the mission!”

Claire shrieked in surprise, “Are you crazy? It is impossible for Emgrand Group to collaborate with a small company like us!”

Charlie smiled lightly and said confidently, “Don’t worry, you’ll definitely strike the deal!”

Claire’s eyes widened in surprise. “Are you sure?”

Charlie nodded seriously and said, “Of course! I don’t think you have any problems at all! Trust me, seize the opportunity. Your status in the Wilson family will shoot up in the future!”

Claire couldn’t explain why, but it was as if she was hypnotized by Charlie’s words. She stood up before she could digest what he said and said to Lady Wilson, “Grandma, I’m willing to give it a shot…”

Claire’s announcement sent a shock wave across the room, making everyone gape in extreme surprise!

Everyone thought that Claire must be out of her mind!

It was the worst time to stand under the limelight now! Other than failing miserably, there’s nothing else she could achieve!

Emgrand Group was the largest company in Aurous Hill and the Wilson family was nothing more than an insignificant ant to them! Whoever took the challenge would only end up failing!

Harold couldn’t help but mock sarcastically, “Claire, do you really think you can get a deal from Emgrand Group?”

Wendy continued in the same mocking tone after her brother, “Claire, who do you think you are, what do you think Emgrand Group is? You being so reckless and irrational will only humiliate us, the Wilson family!”

Someone else added, “Wendy is right! If she is kicked out by Emgrand Group, our family will be a laughing stock in Aurous Hill!”

Blood rushed to Claire’s face and she felt her face burning in embarrassment.

Her status in the family had plummeted since she married Charlie. Not only did the family members ignore her and elbow her aside but they also derided her parents.

She felt that if she could strike that deal with Emgrand Group, she could consolidate her position in the family.

The most important thing was that her parents could also stand up tall and be proud of who they were.

But under the sarcastic comments and condemnation, she wanted to withdraw herself from her silly idea.

She glared at Charlie in annoyance. How did he bewitch her and why did she listen to him? She shouldn’t have made such a silly suggestion in the first place…

Lady Wilson was very angry as she listened to the audience’s verbal exchanges.

No one dared to accept the task after she asked several times. Now that Claire courageously stood up to take the challenge, these people started ridiculing her!

Lady Wilson had always disliked Claire, but at this moment, she was glad that Claire was at least willing to walk the impossible talk, unlike the rest of the members who were only good at giving her trouble!

Especially her favorite grandson, Harold! He was such a disappointment!

Because of this, Lady Wilson’s attitude towards Claire changed a lot. She said immediately, “Stop your nonsense, you cowards! I’ll pass the task of striking a deal with Emgrand Group to Claire!”

Sheepishly, Claire mumbled, “Don’t worry, Grandma, I’ll try my best.”

Harold puffed a breath from his nose and sneered coldly, “You try your best, and then what? You’ll embarrass us when you fail later!”

Charlie asked in a mocking tone, “Harold Wilson, why do you taunt Claire like that? Do you think that the Wilson family is not qualified to collaborate with Emgrand Group?”

Harold had never expected that the loser Charlie Wade dared to speak up during the family meeting, not to mention in such a high horse manner.

Seeing the fury slowly burning on Lady Wilson’s face, he quickly explained, “No, I don’t mean it like that, I just think it is impossible for Claire to strike the deal! That’s all!”

Charlie laughed in amusement and asked, “What if she succeeds? Should we make a bet?”

Harold grinned coyly. “Okay, let’s bet then! Do you think I’m scared of your little threat? What do you want to bet? Let’s hear you out.”

Charlie said, “If Claire succeeds, you will grovel at my feet and admit that you’re wrong in front of everyone. If she fails, I will grovel at your feet and admit that I’m wrong. What do you think?”

“Hahaha!” Harold laughed out loud. “You’re really digging your own grave, loser! Alright, I’ll take the bet!”

Charlie nodded with satisfaction and uttered, “Everyone, all of you are our witnesses. Whoever goes back on the bet would have his father, mother, grandpa, and grandma die!”

He intentionally emphasized the word ‘grandma’ loudly and clearly, for he didn’t want Harold to break their promise after he lost.

Harold wouldn’t dare to go back on his words after such a statement. If he did repent, he would be cursing his grandmother, Lady Wilson, to die! Lady Wilson would not let him off the hook so easily!

“Okay!” Harold thought that he was on the winning side, but what Harold didn’t know was that he was jumping right into Charlie’s trap. He laughed loudly and said, “Everyone, you’ll be my witness, I’ll wait for you to kneel before me!”

Claire was startled by the entire event that she kept signalling to Charlie with her eyes, but he turned a blind eye to her.

Lady Wilson couldn’t care less about the bet. Her only concern was whether the Wilson Group could take a spot in Emgrand Group’s collaboration list. If the deal was on, she wouldn’t even mind if Harold called Charlie his daddy, let alone kneel before him.

Thus, she said calmly, “Okay, that’s all for today. Claire, you have three days to negotiate and strike the deal. Dismiss!”

***

After returning home, Claire’s parents threw a fist at the young couple.

Claire’s mother, Elaine Wilson, paced the living room agitatedly and said, “Claire, you’re crazy! How could you listen to the loser and accept the task without thinking it through?”

Claire’s father, Jacob Wilson, turned to Charlie and chided, “Charlie, you hopeless loser, you’ve pushed my darling daughter right into the grave this time!”

His face flushed in red as he continued, “If Claire fails this time, she will be elbowed by the rest of the family, and you! You’ll have to bow to Harold like a peasant in front of the whole family! My dignity will be ruined!”

Charlie said earnestly, “Dad, Mom, everything will be alright if Claire succeeds in the negotiation and strikes the deal, am I right?”

“Negotiate my a*s!” Jacob growled furiously, “Do you have any idea how powerful Emgrand Group is? They won’t even bat an eye at the mediocre Wilson family!”

Charlie said with a smile, “Maybe someone will bat an eye at us, you don’t know that. Honestly, I have confidence in Claire, I think Claire will strike the deal easily.”

Elaine sneered scornfully. “You think? Who are you, do you think you are the owner of Emgrand Group? You are nothing but a loser, a piece of trash, how do you dare be so ignorant and confident?”