Chapter 168
Chapter 168
The next day, Benson Smith arrived at the office as usual, all geared up.
However, once he reached the office, he found himself being approached by May, who was accompanied by a few other senior management personnel of the company. The woman was holding the letter of his dismissal.
As the woman handed Benson Smith the official letter, she let out a cold laugh and said, “Uncle, you’ve been released from your position. The chairman has appointed me as the general manager of Diva Limited with effect from today. You should get packing and leave the office as soon as possible.”
Benson Smith could not believe his eyes when he saw the letter of dismissal.
After he snapped out of his shock, he became agitated and said, “This can’t be true. Dad has just praised me a while back for doing a good job. How is it possible that I’m suddenly fired?”
The man immediately took out his phone and made a call to his dad, Sean Smith. NôvelDrama.Org owns © this.
Sean Smith picked up just after a few rings. He spoke in a laidback manner, “Hey Benson, May was in charge of Diva Limited for a long time and is more familiar with the fashion industry. After some serious contemplation, I decided that she’s still the best person to manage the company.”
Benson Smith was still in denial. His voice was shaking as he said, “Dad, but I... “
An obvious hint of displeasure could be heard from Sean Smith’s voice when he spoke, “Benson, you can’t be selfish. We have to look at the big picture.”
Benson Smith’s face darkened as he said softly, “Okay, Dad, I understand. I’ll do as you say and hand over Diva Limited to May.”
“Perfect!” Sean Smith was very satisfied with his son’s response.
After Benson Smith hung up, he started packing his belongings into a paper carton and carried it in his arms as he left the office. On his way out, most of the employees were pointing fingers at him. It was a miserable departure for the man.
Leah was watching TV with Queenie when Benson Smith got home.
The woman went up to her husband when she spotted the look of dejection on his face. Feeling puzzled and unsettled, she asked, “Benson, aren’t you supposed to be at work now? Why are you back so early?”
Benson Smith let out a bitter laugh and described the eventful morning to his wife, without leaving out a single detail.
After Leah heard what happened, she was trembling with fury. “See, I told you that they wouldn’t be so kind to us. They must have been worried that the Zabinski family would initiate a forced takeover of Diva Limited and did not want to face them head-on. They planned to let you manage the company so that you would be the one bearing the brunt. Now that Nathan had dealt with the troublemaker sent by the Zabinski family, they are burning the bridge as you have no use for them anymore. That’s too much!”
Nathan Cross and Penny Smith arrived for lunch at noon.
Penny noticed that her dad was out of sorts, and checked on him. That was when Leah narrated the entire episode to their daughter and Nathan.
Anger rushed through Nathan Cross as he learned of the injustice his father-in-law had to endure. After being made use of, the elder man had been mercilessly kicked to one side like garbage.
“Dad, don’t be too affected by it. Since grandpa wasn’t sincere in letting you manage Diva Limited, we would actually be better off without it.” Penny tried to console her dad.
Nathan concurred and added, “Yup! Dad, it’s your fiftieth birthday tomorrow. Penn and I have already booked the Peony Hall at the Indigo Hotel. We’ve reserved around 50 tables for your birthday celebration.”
Feeling comforted, Benson Smith replied, “That sounds nice. It’s really thoughtful of the both of you.”
Benson Smith did not have the habit of celebrating his birthdays, but turning 50 was considered a milestone, as such, it was a meaningful one.
He had originally also planned to host a dinner and invite some close friends and relatives to get together.
He wanted it to be a boisterous affair so that everyone would know that the second son of the Smith Family was also doing quite well.
After knowing that his daughter and her husband had already made arrangements for his birthday, Benson Smith spent the rest of the day making calls to friends and relatives, inviting them to his birthday event at the Indigo Hotel’s Peony Hall held at noon tomorrow.
However, when he rang his elder brother, Samuel, he heard something which had thrown him off. Letting out a wry laugh, Samuel Smith said, “What a coincidence! I’m also planning to celebrate my fifty-fifth birthday at the Indigo Hotel’s Lotus Hall tomorrow.”
Feeling baffled, Benson Smith replied, “Samuel, isn’t your birthday three days later?”
Samuel Smith answered his brother in a cherry tone, “Well, tomorrow is a weekend, so I decided to hold the celebration a few days earlier. It would be rather inconvenient for my guests to attend it if it’s
on a weekday, as they would be working.”
Benson was speechless. He was at a loss and asked, “If both of us hold our birthday celebrations at the same time, how can our friends and relatives appear on both sides simultaneously?”
Baring his teeth, Samuel smiled and said, “Although we have chosen the same hotel to hold our birthday celebrations, there would be no conflict as you’ll be at the Peony Hall, while mine is held at the Lotus Hall. As for our relatives and friends, it’s up to them to choose between your party at the Peony Hall or mine at the Lotus Hall. Does that make sense?”
There was nothing Benson Smith could do about it. After he got off the phone with his brother, he got slightly worried.