Chapter 10 Bossing People Around
- Early the next morning, on the top floor of Trinity Group.
- Every Monday was the company's routine meeting, and at this moment, all the direct members of the Smiths were seated around the conference table.
- "Vanessa, I heard that worthless husband of yours who disappeared for five years is back?"
- The man speaking was Vanessa's cousin, George Smith. He had a smug smile on his face as soon as he saw her walk into the room.
- "Whether he's back or not, what's it got to do with you?" Vanessa frowned and shot back.
- "It's true, it has nothing to do with me, but the Smiths has suffered because of the scandal between you two. Otherwise, we'd already be one of Jerton's top families by now," George replied, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
- He continued, "If it were any other woman, they'd have been too ashamed to show their face by now. But you? You even had the nerve to give birth to a bastard child. You're nothing but a disgrace to the Smiths."
- "Shut up!" Vanessa suddenly stood up, her face filled with anger.
- Say what you will about her, but Anya was off-limits. That was her one untouchable weak spot.
- Not a single person in the room spoke up for her. All of them, direct descendants of the Smiths, sat there with smirks, ready to watch the drama unfold.
- "Mr. Smith is here!"
- Just as George was about to speak again, footsteps echoed at the door. He shot Vanessa a cold look and went silent.
- The next moment, Bennett Smith, his silver hair gleaming, walked into the conference room and took the chairman's seat.
- The Smiths owned several businesses, but Trinity Group was by far the most successful. Because of that, four years ago, Bennett had brought Trinity Group under the family's full control, making it the Smiths's headquarters.
- Every time Vanessa sat here for a meeting, there was a pang of pain in her chest. She had built this company from the ground up, but now it belonged to the family. No matter how much resentment she felt, there was nothing she could do about it.
- Though Bennett was getting on in years, he showed no signs of stepping down. Instead, he held onto the position of family head with an iron grip.
- His eyes swept across the room before he spoke. "Last month, the Chamberlain family from Orkburg opened a branch in Jerton. They've been in the preparation phase, but I've just received word that the branch will be officially opening within the next few days. Countless prestigious families have been bending over backward to secure a partnership with Wildden Group, and we, the Smiths, can't afford to fall behind. It's safe to say that whether or not we make it to the top tier of Jerton's elite depends on if we can secure a deal with Wildden Group."
- Everyone perked up at Bennett's words, and someone immediately asked, "Mr. Smith, if we manage to land a deal with Wildden Group, is there a reward in it for us?"
- Bennett glanced at the person who spoke and let out a cold chuckle. "If anyone can secure a contract with Wildden Group, they'll earn the right to sit in the chairman's seat at Trinity Group."
- Stunned silence filled the room. Bennett was actually willing to offer up the chairmanship of Trinity Group as a reward for landing the Wildden Group deal.
- Vanessa bit down hard on her lip. Trinity Group had originally been hers, but getting a deal with Wildden Group seemed near impossible. If it were easy, Bennett wouldn't be using the chairmanship as an incentive.
- For a moment, everyone's eyes darted back and forth between Vanessa and George.
- One was Bennett's eldest and most favored grandson, and the other was highly capable—both were deeply appreciated by Bennett. But everyone in the room knew that Trinity Group rightfully belonged to Vanessa.
- George, of course, understood how important this deal was. He stood up first and said with a smile, "Grandpa, I think we need to approach this deal carefully and strategically."
- "Oh?" Bennett asked. "What are you thinking?"
- George responded, "To be honest, Grandpa, when Wildden Group first established their Jerton branch, I started making preparations. But Wildden Group's standards are incredibly high. I've spent quite a bit of money just to make some connections, though getting the deal will still be tough."
- "You've done well, George. Even though the deal isn't secured yet, you've taken action and opened some doors. After the meeting, go to the finance department and request a million dollars in working capital," Bennett said generously.
- "Thank you, Grandpa!" George's face lit up with joy.
- Everyone else in the room looked on enviously.
- George then shot Vanessa a meaningful look before continuing, "Grandpa, while I'd love to secure the deal myself, it's almost impossible to do it alone. After all, the Smiths is just a small fish to the Wildden Group. Why would they pick us?"
- "If that's the case, do you have a solution in mind?" Bennett asked.
- George grinned. "I've gotten some insider information. Wildden Group won't be choosing any small family for this deal, so by that alone, we're already out of the running. But we could partner with a family that's around our size."
- "George, that's a good suggestion. Go on," Bennett said, looking more and more pleased.
- George smiled and said, "Grandpa, Bill Conner—the eldest son of the Conners—has been chasing after Vana for a while now. He's made it clear that if she marries him, getting the deal with Wildden Group will be a sure thing."
- Everyone's eyes instantly turned to Vanessa. Her face changed, and she quickly said, "Grandpa, I'm already married. How could I marry someone else?"
- "Vana, everyone knows the situation with that worthless husband of yours. He disappeared right after you got married and has been gone for five years. There's no real relationship between you two. You'd be better off marrying Bill—at least he can help the family, unlike that useless man who's done nothing for us," Bennett said, his eyes fixed on her.
- Vanessa bit her lip, her face set with determination. She shook her head and said, "Grandpa, I belong to Hadden in this lifetime, and he's the only husband I'll ever have."
- "Bang!"
- Bennett slammed his hand down on the table, his face twisted with anger. "If it hadn't been for the scandal with you and that bastard five years ago, the Smiths would already be among the top families! Are you trying to ruin this family's future again, five years later?"
- Vanessa bit down hard on her lip, her fists clenched tightly at her sides. She didn't even notice that her nails had dug into her palms—her heartache was far worse.
- The Smiths owed its current standing to Trinity Group, the company she had built. Yet Bennett didn't care about her contributions and instead blamed her for the family not reaching the top.
- "This matter is settled. After the meeting, I'll personally contact the head of the Conners to discuss the marriage arrangement," Bennett said, making the decision without a second thought.
- "I'm still alive and well, and you're already trying to make my wife remarry? Who gave you the right to decide what she can or can't do?"
- At that moment, a cold voice suddenly cut through the room.
- All eyes turned to the entrance as a familiar figure stepped into the conference room.
- To the shock of the Smiths, Hadden walked over and sat down next to Vanessa, looking at her with soft eyes. "I told you, I'll never let anyone hurt you again."