Chapter 9 One Day At A Time

• The leader of the new government was also a Brigham?
• Everyone in the conference room, except Austin, was in shock.
• They were stunned for a few seconds before they could finally react.
• "The leader of the new government was also a Brigham?"
• "What a coincidence! Is he from our family?"
• "It would be fantastic if he was from our family!"
• Everyone in the conference room was excited at the fantastic news.
• If the leader were from the family, they would have the upper hand in getting the contracts. They might not even need to bid for the projects; the leader might hand the projects to them.
• They were already dreaming of the day the Brigham family became the wealthiest family in Fairville.
• No one would dare to look down on them.
• Everyone would look up to them.
• Even though Old Mrs. Brigham was excited at the news, she quickly understood the intricate matter of this piece of news.
• "There are only two Brigham families in Fairville and Rudville. The Brigham family of Rudville is our cousin. So, the new government leader would be either one of us or one of our cousins." Old Mrs. Brigham laughed heartily.
• If everything was as she speculated, the Brigham Corporation could benefit from this close family tie with the new leader.
• "We are going to get filthy rich!" said Mitchel excitedly.
• He had begun to imagine the extravagant life that he would live.
• Both the Brigham family members and the company executives were doing the same, dreaming of the wonderful future.
• Seeing their reactions, Austin remained calm and unaffected.
• If he had agreed to the assignment, the leader of the new government would definitely be from the Brigham family of Fairville.
• However, he had refused the appointment.
• So, they were celebrating prematurely.
• It took a while for everyone in the conference room to calm down.
• "Madam Brigham, Austin is the son of the former president, after all. Since he is back now, can you give him a position in the company so he can contribute too?" Deborah asked Old Mrs. Brigham.
• Deborah was still married to Austin, and she did not want him to idle and waste away his time.
• She wanted to help him to get a job and let him prove his worth.
• Deborah thought it was not too much to ask for a job for Austin. After all, the company was founded by Richard, Austin's father, even though Austin was only an illegitimate son.
• The company executives did not oppose the idea of getting a job for Austin.
• They had worked together with Richard since the founding of the company, and they respected Richard very much. So, they thought they should help out Austin.
• On the other hand, the rest of the Brigham family was unhappy with that idea.
• "So, this trash wants to get his share of fortune when we are about to get rich. Dream on!" Mitchel was quick to oppose.
• "A cook wants to work in the Brigham Corporation? Does he think he qualifies?" Leah followed suit.
• "Madam Brigham, we will be involved in developing the new city. We don't need someone unqualified."
• "I think Austin is only good enough to work in the cafeteria or as a security."
• "Yup! I think he can only be security."
• The Brigham family members mocked Austin.
• "Austin, there's no open position at the moment. However, you could wait if you don't mind," said Old Mrs. Brigham flatly, after glancing at Austin, who stood at the corner.
• "Sure," Austin nodded and answered calmly.
• Deborah felt the rage building up in her when she saw Austin not standing up for himself.
• Deborah had tried to help Austin, but he did not even try to fight for himself. She was very disappointed with him.
• "Deborah, if you divorce Austin and get together with Mitchel, he might give Austin a position for your sake," said Leah with a big smile.
• She was trying to provoke Deborah and humiliate Austin at the same time.
• That piece of trash wants to put his hand in the family inheritance!
• "Leah Forger, keep your mouth shut!" warned Deborah.
• She was already angry at Austin for being weak. Leah's provocation just added fuel to the fire.
• Deborah lost her patience, despite her calm nature.
• "I will get to work if there's nothing else," said Deborah before packing up her documents and leaving the conference room.
• "Go home with me tonight," said Deborah in a low voice when she walked passed Austin.
• Technically, Austin was part of the Brigham family, but he could not stay with them.
• As long as they were not divorced, Austin was still Deborah's husband.
• What would everyone else say if they found out Austin was staying somewhere else?
• They might call her a shrew for not letting her husband come back.
• Deborah did not want to deal with more problems on top of all the problems she was having now.
• Hearing Deborah's words, Austin could not contain his smile.
• Compared to getting a job for him, Austin was more excited at Deborah's latest decision.
• Austin did not stay long at the Brigham Corporation after leaving the conference room.
• He wanted to visit Riverside Park.
• As Austin left the Brigham Corporation, the phone in his pocket vibrated.
• It was a call from Venom Snake.
• Austin answered the call.
• "Sir, the upper management had agreed to your refusal of appointment. However, due to the significance of the merging of the cities, they will give you a different assignment," explained Venom Snake over the phone.
• Austin was not surprised at the outcome. He knew they would not let him stay completely out of this matter.
• The upper management might have agreed to Austin's refusal of the assignment, but they already had another plan for him.
• They would not let the King of the Southern Continent stay idle for too long.
• Those cunning old men!
• "Did you have any news about it?" asked Austin.
• "I think they will go to the Brigham Corporation tomorrow to sign the new contract with you," Venom Snake hesitated at first, but he decided to tell Austin nonetheless.
• Even though Venom Snake's words sounded vague, Austin could tell he had received the confirmed news, but he could not tell Austin because of his position.
• So, the upper management decided to make the Brigham Corporation a pawn to Austin.
• From their investigation, they had already learned about Austin's connection to the Brigham Corporation through his father. Austin would never let go of the Brigham Corporation easily.
• If Austin did not want to be the leader of the new government, they would make the Brigham Corporation part of it.
• Then, it would be impossible for Austin to stay as a spectator.
• In other words, they had Austin in their palm.
• Of course, Austin understood the old men's tricks.
• "Well, one day at a time," said Austin helplessly.
• After hanging up the call, Austin went to Riverside Park.
• He bought a small pack of fish feed from a vendor at the square in the park.
• Austin noticed the calluses on the vendor's hand when he was paying the vendor. Austin knew from experience that those are calluses from many years of military training. So, the vendor must be a veteran.
• Austin also noticed the vendor was limping on his right leg, probably from a previous injury.
• After exchanging a few pleasantries with the vendor, Austin left for the riverside.
• There was a river on the south of Riverside Park.
• It was a prominent river that ran through Fairville and Cloudsdell.
• Looking at the flowing water, Austin was overwhelmed by emotions.
• When his father Richard was still alive, he always gazed at the water of Cloudsdell River.
• He told Austin that he grew up on the water of the Cloudsdell River, and it would be his greatest dream to build his business empire on both sides of the Cloudsdell River.