From Squalor To Splendor

Chapter 7

A short while afterward, the mansion was visited by 1,600 employees of the city where Mr. Hemsworth was living.

They were all wearing their ID cards proudly on their chests, which disclosed a few personal details and revealed that they were employed by the Transcorp Group of Conglomerates.

The sheer number of employees Mr. Hemsworth had astounded both Justin and Isabella. It was unexpected by them.

Nonetheless, that was only the staff of one city. What if all of his employees were invited to attend the celebration from all over the world? How Mr. Hemsworth managed the thousands of workers is only imaginable.

On the other hand, the employees were excited to see their boss's son when they recently arrived at the mansion. With a big smile on his face, Justin was standing in front of them and they could not resist pulling out their phones to take a video of him.

For security purposes, however, Xander made sure to designate two bodyguards to stand next to Justin.

Mr. Fernando, Mr. Hemsworth's PA, made sure to invite the press team to document and air the news about the arrival of Justin, the CEO of the Transcorp Group of Conglomerates' son.

According to the records, Mr. Hemsworth was the third richest person in the world. It was therefore essential to announce this incredible event so that everyone would be aware of it.

Justin and his father were standing at the front when Mr. Fernando made his way there. In addition, Mr. Hemsworth had told him a lot about his son's long-standing disappearance, so he was eager to meet Justin.

“Fernando, meet my son, Justin,” said Mr. Hemsworth to his PA as they shook hands. He turned to face Justin, saying, "Son, meet my PA, the only man among the workers I trust."

Mr. Fernando gave Justin a handshake and remarked, "It is a pleasure meeting you, young master."

Even though Mr. Fernando was in his early forties, his appearance gave the impression that he was in his early thirties.

Justin grinned and nodded at Mr. Fernando, saying, "Yeah, nice meeting you too, sir."

"May I inquire what the name is?" They were still holding hands when Mr. Fernando asked.

Without a hint of irony in his voice, the young man said, "Justin... Justin Ethan."

"Justin Hemsworth, is that right?" Mr. Fernando wavered.

"Oh, I apologize for that. You are right. My name is Justin Hemsworth." Justin corrected himself.

“Great. I am Mr. Fernando Williams, the personal assistant to your father. Nice meeting you once more.”

Justin nodded before releasing Mr. Fernando's hand.

"Do not blame the young man because he is still getting used to his new family, you know," Mr. Hemsworth explained to his PA.

“Obviously. He will get used to it over time." Mr. Fernando nodded and responded calmly to his boss.

Justin then proceeded to shake the hands of the company's managers and employees, who were eager to shake his hand.

The female staff, on the other hand, wished he could hug them, but he didn't; instead, he shook all of them. He did not have to shake them, but he did so because he saw how eager they were to touch him.

At the same time, the media crew was busy recording the event and streaming it live on the internet.

After Justin had shaken hands with all the staff, he stood beside his father because he was about to introduce him to the world.

Liam arrived on the scene just as Mr. Hemsworth was about to introduce Justin while they were being recorded by the Newscasters.

“Good day, sir…” Liam tried to bow to Mr. Hemsworth and his son, who stood beside him, but his words became stuck in his throat when he recognized Justin.

Liam froze as he looked at Justin, who was smiling and nodding simultaneously.

He could not believe what he was seeing. He cleaned his face to make sure he was not dreaming.

He muttered when he realized everything was true. “ Justin?”

“Yes? This is me, Liam. Are you surprised to see me here?” Justin giggled.

“Liam Grayson, you're welcome to the party. This is my son. I can see that you both already know each other,” said Mr. Hemsworth with a slight smile.

Isabella, on the other hand, was shivering even as she observed the scene that was on display.

“Sir… sir…” Liam stammered as he tried to respond to Mr. Hemsworth.“ Yes, we knew each other, and he happened to be a good man. But I was not planning on staying here for very long. I came just to greet him." Liam spoke as he was eager to leave before he got embarrassed before the crowd that filled the enormous living room.

“Don't say that. You cannot simply come here and leave. Come celebrate with me as my son returns,” Mr. Hemsworth urged.

“But sir…” Before Liam could complete his words, Mr. Hemsworth had signaled him to keep shut.

Mr. Hemsworth said to his son,“ Son, this is Liam Grayson. He is one of the CEOs who has collaborated with us to help their businesses grow."

Justin nodded and faintly smiled at Liam, whose heart was heavily pounding inside his chest as though it were going to cut off.

He was terrified of what might happen to him during or after the party. Nonetheless, Justin and Isabella could see his fear, but others couldn't.

"Welcome to the party, Liam Grayson," Justin said as he extended his hand to Liam for a handshake.

With shaky hands, Liam took his hand and shook it.

"Thank-you, sir," Liam managed to reply, his body still quivering.

Although Justin was smiling, Liam was fully aware that it was an evil smile and that even if he pleaded with him, Justin would find it difficult to forgive him.

After a few minutes of shaking hands, Justin finally let go of Liam's hand, leaving him terrified.

It was as if he were to vanish from that mansion and never return. Not only that, but he wished he could simply inform Mr. Hemsworth that he was no longer interested in working with him.

Fear made it impossible for Liam to think clearly.

Liam swallowed hard and motioned to where Isabella and Diana were standing.

Nonetheless, he made sure to greet Liam's younger sister before moving closer to Isabella and Diana.

"I thought I bought you a new phone before you came here, Isabella," Liam complained in hushed tones to Isabella.

“Yes, you did. How about it?" Isabella frowned, finding Liam annoying at the moment.

“Why didn't you call me and tell me that it was Justin that Mr. Hemsworth was planning to announce to the world that he is his son? I shouldn't have come if you told me,” Liam blamed her.

Unfortunately, no one was eavesdropping or even looking at them because their attention was on Justin as his father said a few things about him to the people standing before them and to the entire world.

“Please don’t hold this against me. Diana, your friend, was the one who invited you here, not me." Isabella fired back.

Liam angrily bit his lower lip as he stood with his hands akimbo, regretting what he had done to Justin.

Nothing could save him from being kicked out of his partnership with the Transcorp Group of Conglomerates, where he made 70% of his profit.

He only had two production companies and the hotel where Justin worked before being fired by Liam.

He was well aware that if he stopped collaborating with the Transcorp Group of Conglomerates, his manufacturing business would die quickly.

No, he was going to look for a way to beg Justin to forgive him before the issue became worse.

No, he was going to find a way to beg Justin to forgive him before the situation worsened.