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?”

Looking at her parents ridiculing Charlie, Claire sighed and said, “Dad, Mom, don’t blame Charlie for this. It was my idea, I just don’t want our family to be looked down on anymore. Haven’t we suffered enough all these years?”

Claire’s mother blurted, “But still, you can’t take on such a task. It’s not just you—even if your grandma goes in person, they wouldn’t entertain her!”

Charlie managed a bitter smile as he watched the bickering. He bet that his snobbish in-laws would never believe that he was the real owner of Emgrand Group.

At this exact moment, there was a knock on the door.

“I’m coming…”

Elaine heaved a distressing sigh as she walked to the door and opened it.

Charlie shifted his gaze to the door and saw a young man donning an Armani suit standing at the door. The man looked very charming and alluring with a Patek Philippe watch on his wrist, which seemed to be worth at least four million dollars.

Elaine shrieked excitedly, “Hey, Wendell! Why are you here?”

The man was Wendell Jones, the young man of the Jones family who had been pursuing Claire relentlessly.

Wendell donned a smile and said, “Auntie, I heard about Claire’s negotiation with the Emgrand Group, so I’m here to give her some ideas.”

“Wow, you really are our family’s life savior!”

Elaine was very excited and thrilled, and she looked at him like she was looking adoringly at her son-in-law. She quickly welcomed him into the house and said, “Wendell, could you help Claire to win Emgrand Group’s contract?”

Wendell nodded with a polite smile. He ignored Charlie entirely, treating him like a lowly ant. He walked straight to Claire and said gently, “Claire, why didn’t you tell me anything about this? This is huge. Anyway, don’t worry, my family has some connections with Emgrand Group. I’ll speak to my father, let’s see how we can help you with this.”

Frankly, Wendell’s father wasn’t as influential as he claimed to be, but he was simply trying to win Claire’s heart by saying so.

Claire knew that Wendell had feelings for her all along, so she said indifferently, “Wendell, I appreciate your kind offer, but no thanks, I’ll find a way myself.”

Elaine gaped in bewilderment and chided, “Claire, are you crazy? Mr. Jones is kind and generous enough to pay you a visit and help you, how could you say such things?”

Claire remained quiet, but Charlie asked Wendell intriguingly, “Mr. Jones, I’m curious, how can you help Claire? Emgrand Group is so big and I don’t think you’re much of an influence to them, right? And now you claim that you have a way to help Claire win the contract?”

Wendell sneered contemptuously and said, “What do you know? The Jones family and Emgrand Group have always been cooperating partners for years. This time, our family can get at least one-third of their two billion dollar project! Until then, I’ll ask my father to allocate ten million dollars as a subcontract to Claire—mission accomplished, isn’t it?”

Charlie gaped in surprise, “Wow! I didn’t know that the Jones family has such an intimate relationship with Emgrand Group!”

Wendell sneered. “Of course! Everyone in Aurous Hill knows about that!”

He then glared at Charlie disdainfully and uttered, “Charlie Wade, let me offer you a piece of advice. A frog in the well like you had better leave Claire now. A hopeless man like you can’t bring her happiness, you’ll only be her burden.”

Claire said coldly, “I’m sorry, Mr. Jones, I don’t need your help and please watch your mouth!”

Dumbfounded, Wendell said in disbelief, “Claire, I’m helping you, why are you still taking this loser’s side? Why are you so protective of him?”

Claire said in a serious tone, “He’s not a loser, he’s my husband!”

A gloomy cloud hovered over Wendell’s face. He growled furiously, “Okay! You asked for it, do as you please! I want to see how you’re going to solve this problem! Don’t come crying at me for not giving you a chance later on when you fail!”

Then, Wendell turned around, slammed the door, and left.

Elaine went after Wendell hurriedly, but he was long gone. She slapped her thighs indignantly, pointed at Charlie’s nose, and screamed, “You! How dare you! What else can you do besides being Claire’s burden? Mr. Jones had kind-heartedly lent a hand but you chased him away!”

Charlie said flatly, “Mom, he’s all talk. He can’t even win a contract with Emgrand, how can he help Claire?”

“Bullsh*t!” Elaine scolded, “What do you know, you ignorant fool! The Jones family can get one-third of the two billion dollar contract!”

Charlie was inexpressive but deep in his heart, he was grinning as he thought, ‘I don’t know how powerful the Jones family is, but I know that my Emgrand Group will never have any connection with them anymore! Even if they did work together on many projects previously, from now on, all of this will be terminated!’

Of course, Claire couldn’t read her husband’s mind. She turned to her mother and said, “Mom, don’t blame Charlie. Just wait until I return from Emgrand Group!”

“Huh!” Elaine sighed in great dismay, feeling that God was unfair to her. She had married a useless husband, while her daughter had married an even more useless man!

What had she done to end up like this!