Chapter 75 Head of the Kingston Chamber of Commerce
When William woke up, he instantly saw Leo who was sitting next to him and looking at him with a gentle smile.
“How long was I asleep?” He sat up from the sofa and asked.
“The whole afternoon.” Leo handed him a cup of coffee and said, “Dad, alcohol doesn’t do any good to your health. You should drink less.”
He continued after a pause, “At least don’t drink alone. It’s too easy to get drunk that way.”
William heaved a long sigh and said, “Thank you for everything today, Leo.”
Suddenly, his face became weird as if he had thought of something. “Leo, did I say anything strange when I was drunk?”
Leo paused a little, then replied with a faint smile, “You just rambled a bit. Nothing serious.”
William’s face changed colors for a long time and he said, “Leo, can you promise me one thing? Don’t tell Caroline about it. If she knows, she will be devastated.”
“I know.” Leo nodded with understanding. He thought, “If Caroline finds out that her mother is William’s second wife, she will definitely feel betrayed.”
After a moment of silence, Leo said again, “Dad, haven’t you thought about finding your first daughter?”
“It’s impossible.” William waved his hand and said with mixed feelings, “And even if I found her, I wouldn’t go to meet her. We’re all living peaceful lives, why should I break that?”
Leo didn’t say anything but thought, “With one word from him, I can help him find her daughter at once. But just like he said, the fewer people know, the better.”
Leo looked at William who was still frowning tightly and said, “Dad, don’t worry too much. They will be punished for turning to the Lawsons. And it won’t take long for them to realize that it’s their best choice to have remained here instead.”
“Alas, how could I not worry?” William was still gloomy and troubled. “I’ve signed the contract with Atlas Beauty and we need more hands now. At such a critical moment, they have all been poached away. What could I do alone?”
“Why not?” Leo poured himself a cup of coffee as well and said with a smile, “Dad, talk to me if you have any difficulties. Maybe I can help.”
William cast a glance at Leo and said, “Leo, I know that you’re the kindest and most loving person in our family, but there is nothing you can do about it.”
“Dad, when have I ever failed you?” Leo did not defend himself but only sat there upright and stared at his father with bright piercing eyes.
William froze for an instant when he saw Leo smiling so confidently.
It suddenly occurred to him that it was true that Leo had never failed him all these years.
He thought, “Even for those impossible tasks in the past, he managed to finish them with flying colors. First, the bidding, then the disputes with the O’Brien’s and the Perry’s. Perhaps, he will work his magic again…”
“Alright then!” William made up his mind and said, “Atlas Beauty will hold a dinner party tomorrow evening to promote and advertise their new product. Many media outlets and celebrities will be there to endorse the product. I need to solicit sponsorships of over 10 million dollars for Atlas Beauty before the party. If I fail, our family’s name will be stained. And I’m afraid that no one will cooperate with us again in the future.”
But surprisingly, Leo also rubbed his chin meditatively and said, “It’s a bit difficult to raise ten million dollars within a day and a half…”
William could not help feeling a little disappointed and said after a deep sigh, “There was still some hope when we had some extra hands. But they all turned to the Lawson family yesterday, and I’m the only one left. I want to pull it off, but just can’t do it on my own.”
Leo understood William’s difficulties and when he was about to speak, Nadine called.
She said only three words, “He’s here.”
Leo nodded and said, “Okay.”
He hung up the phone.
Then, he rose to his feet and said to William, “Dad, leave this matter to me. I will raise ten million before the dinner party tomorrow. I have to go and meet someone now.”
He then walked toward the door.
But when he was still in the living room, the other Ford’s returned home with gloomy expressions.
Everyone looked indignant and also exhausted.
Caroline was even angrier when she saw Leo. She asked with venom, “What are you doing here?”
Leo replied lightly, “Dad is drunk. I’m here to take care of him.”
“You no right to enter this house. Get out!” Rebecca grabbed a bat and was about to drive him away.
“Enough!” William bellowed and his voice instantly conquered the crowd. “Shut up, all of you! You all accepted the Lawson’s blood money. Has any of you thought about the sponsorships? Only Leo will help me!”
“Dad, are you crazy?” Caroline shouted unbelievingly, “What sponsors can he find? We’re lucky if he doesn’t just make things worse.”
William snorted, “He’s done a lot better than you.”
“William, how could you say that?” Rebecca was not happy and said, “We turned to them for the sake of our family. It’s better to work in Vesper Corporation than to put ourselves at the mercy of those people from Atlas Beauty.”
“Oh? Then how was your first day at the office?” Leo asked suddenly with a faint smile.
All of the Ford’s looked like that they had just eaten dirt.
None of them had been restored to their previous positions like Peter had promised, but instead, they were demoted to the bottom rungs. They were forced to perform errands and chores all day.
When Caroline came back to her senses, she leered at Leo and asked, “How did you know what happened today?”
Leo said leisurely, “Have you forgotten that I also work at the International Commerce Center? I heard that several managers were kicked downstairs today. I knew straight away that it was you guys.”
“You…” Caroline’s eyes smoldered with anger, thinking, “If only I could gouge his eyes out.”
After a long while, she managed to speak again. “If we don’t live a good life, then neither will you! I’d like to wait and see how you raise ten million. I doubt that your dumb luck will save you this time!”
“You don’t have to worry about that.” After that, Leo strode out of the Ford house.
Nadine had been waiting for him outside.
Leo got in the car and they soon disappeared into the distance.
Half an hour later, a middle-aged gentleman in an expensive suit and gold-rimmed glasses got off the plane and waited patiently at the Emerdale Airport.
His secretary who looked rather comely was standing next to him and briefing the schedule. “Mr. Barker, since our members have learned that you’re coming to Emerdale, they have organized a welcome party for you. Thomas Reyes, chairman of Julton Pharmaceutical, is here to pick you up…”
Forrest Barker could not hear the rest because he was constantly looking at his watch.
Suddenly, he saw a man and a woman in the crowd. His face lit up and he dashed toward them right away.
At this moment, a distinguished Lincoln SUV stopped before them.
Thomas got out of the car and trotted all the way to Forrest. “Mr. Barker, I’m here to pick you up.”
Forrest frowned when someone got in his way, so he asked Thomas coldly, “Who are you?”
“Mr. Barker, it’s me, Thomas. I joined the Kingston Chamber of Commerce two years ago…” Thomas introduced himself with a jittery face.
“Doesn’t ring a bell.” Forrest interrupted him and quickened his pace.
“Mr. Barker, please wait. Our members are waiting for you…” Thomas caught up with him again.This text is property of Nô/velD/rama.Org.
Forrest instantly flew into a rage. He nudged Thomas away and threatened, “If you appear in front of me again, believe it or not, I will kick you out of the chamber.”
Thomas’ face turned deathly pale in an instant, confused about what he had done wrong.
But what happened the next minute left him completely aghast.
Forrest ran up to a young man, bowed reverently, and said, “Nice to meet you, boss!”