I'm not the Son-in-law

Chapter 4: "Role of the Son-in-law"

Marcus Xu scowled, nearly dropping his food, when a foreigner yanked him upright. "Hey, don't grab me!" he exclaimed, pushing the stranger away.

"I'm Philip Cheng, Greg's strategic assistant. Please, I desperately need someone to take his place for a while," Philip pleaded, casting cautious glances around.

"Why me?" Marcus queried, recognizing Gregory William's name from the prominent conglomerate family.

Gregory William was a household name synonymous with success, wealth, and the glittering facade of high society. His face was a fixture in business magazines; he was hailed as a genius in corporate strategy and a mogul in the construction and estate industries.

“There’s a catch?” Marcus said, sensing the danger.

"I just need someone, please," Philip insisted, attempting to tug Marcus's arm again.

"I don’t know, man. This sounds sketchy," Marcus replied, his voice tinged with uncertainty, though inwardly his interest was piqued.

“Just name your price. I'm in a rush!” Philip impatiently said.

“Well, instead of $10,000, can I ask for a favor instead? Favor for a favor,” Marcus suggested.

“Whatever! Just do the job…please!” Philip's desperation was palpable.

“Okay, deal,” Marcus agreed, sealing the arrangement with a nod.

Assuming someone else's identity, especially someone connected to immense wealth, seemed risky. Yet, the promise of a favor was tempting, especially if it could ease Miguel's worries. Considering the William Group's extensive involvement in the entertainment industry, Marcus saw it as a significant opportunity.

"You just need to make sure no one notices you're not Greg," Philip said, handing him a mask. 

"Wouldn't it be odd for me to walk around wearing a mask?" Marcus pointed out.

"Greg's been wearing one lately, so it won't raise any eyebrows," Philip assured, hastily leading Marcus to an elevator.

"Okay," Marcus reluctantly agreed. "I want a contract at Magic Entertainment. Is that acceptable?"

"Oh, is that the favor you're after?"

"Yes." Marcus glanced at Philip with anticipation. 

"Sure, no problem," Philip agreed without meeting his gaze. He then dialed a number on his phone and spoke, "I've found someone to take Sir Greg’s place. Hurry up and locate him."

"Is he missing? What happened?" Marcus asked, curiosity tinging his tone.

"You don't need to know. Just play your role," Philip replied curtly.

In no time, they arrived at a dining hall where VIP guests were gathered. Marcus donned his mask and stood confidently, assuming the demeanor befitting a company CEO. He smirked under his mask, feeling odd using his acting skills in such a high-stakes scenario.

"Why are you wearing a mask?" a middle-aged woman queried as soon as he joined the table.

"Madam Lucretia, his face hasn't fully recovered yet," Philip Cheng interjected, sparing Marcus the need to concoct excuses.

Marcus wondered, "What happened to Gregory William’s face? Last I saw him in the news, he had a businessman's dignified face."

"Does it matter? Your face wasn't much to begin with," Lucretia said.

"He hasn't been seated for long; why are you bullying him so quickly, Aunt?" another lady interjected, her elegant appearance contrasting with her sharp words. "Greg might just go off the cliff if you keep bullying him, Aunt," she sneered.

"Just let him kill himself. We don't need a clown in this family," Lucretia retorted, and she and Vivian exchanged fake laughter.

Under his mask, Marcus felt like he was watching villains in a movie. Shocked by the strange dynamics of this wealthy family dinner, he wondered, "Is this how rich people usually dine together?"

The tension in the dining hall worsened with the arrival of the Chairman of the William Group, accompanied by his wife, the Vice Chairman, and the Vice Chairman’s wife. The William family members laughed and talked amongst themselves, but they also attacked each other with words whenever they got the chance.

"Greg, you came?" Gudofredo William, Chairman of the William Group, finally noticed Marcus after ignoring him for almost an hour.

Marcus bit his lip, hoping to remain quiet and unnoticed, but unfortunately, attention turned back to him.

"Why aren't you speaking? Did that burn make you mute?" Gudofredo's voice sent a chill down Marcus's spine; he had never encountered such dominance before.

Glancing at Philip Cheng for help, Marcus found no support—Philip only mouthed for him to sit still and do nothing.

"Is this why he offered $10,000?" Marcus wondered inwardly as the Williams' gaze alone made his body shiver.

"Brother, he really did turn mute," Lucretia snorted. "That doesn't bode well for a CEO. You should have taken better care of your husband, Marga."

Marcus immediately turned his head to Margarette William, shocked to realize that the woman sitting beside him was Gregory’s wife—the only daughter of Gudofredo William.

"I thought she was just a family member, but she's Greg’s wife? Why didn't she talk to him or defend him when all his family members looked down on him?" Marcus mused, feeling odd about the wealthy family's relationships.

"Should I take his place since you're so worried?" Margarette retorted, but it only elicited chuckles from Lucretia.

"Oh, dear Marga, women don't have to work. You should focus more on your pregnancy and taking care of your husband. No wonder he looks a mess; you're so neglectful. Should I give you tips on how to be a good wife?" Lucretia taunted, her words dripping with disdain.

Margarette's expression remained stoic, but Marcus could sense her irritation beside him. "So, women really can't hold positions in the William Group?" he mused inwardly, surprised to uncover this aspect of the well-known wealthy family.

"Aunt, I heard your son was caught using drugs again. Is that what I should learn from you?" Margarette retorted sharply, prompting a loud response from Lucretia.

"You brat! My son—"

"Enough, Lucretia," Chairman Gudofredo interjected, cutting off their exchange. He tapped his finger on the table before addressing the room. "Stop making fun of my daughter. She's better than my sons, who can't even give me a grandson."

"Father, my wife and I are still young. We can definitely give you the heir you need," Michael William, Gudofredo's eldest son, interjected.

"You can?" Gudofredo snorted. "How can I let you lead the William Group when your descendants are all girls? None of your children can support you!"

"What's wrong with women, though?" Marcus wondered aloud, realizing his mistake too late. Philip Cheng shot him an angry glance, while the family members regarded him with varying expressions.

"What did you say?" Gudofredo's tone turned menacing.

Marcus clenched the table napkin tightly, attempting to restrain himself from speaking further, as he wasn't supposed to speak in the first place. However, Gudofredo's intimidation compelled him to speak again.

"Did you just eat your tongue after speaking out like that?" Gudofredo inquired sharply.

"I was just wondering, what's wrong with women managing the company?" Marcus asked again, his gaze shifting to Greg’s wife, expecting her to at least offer some defense. Yet Margarette continued to eat, seemingly unbothered by his predicament.

"What's wrong? Hahaha, you don't know about that?" Gudufredo laughed.

"Women are weak; they just belong in taking care of the household," Ruben, Gudofredo’s brother, chimed in.

"Women can do what men can do," Marcus retorted, incredulous that such prejudices still existed in the modern world.

"Is that what Marga told you?" Michael snorted. "Marga, you're not giving up yet. Just be a good wife."

Marcus dropped his jaw, feeling absurd watching everyone laugh together as if it were acceptable to mock Margarette William for aspiring beyond being a homemaker.

"I heard you won the bid for the New Magrao Town Development," Gudofredo interjected amidst the laughter.

Marcus even glanced over his shoulder, momentarily forgetting he was acting as Gregory William.

"You're pretty competent; that's why I entrusted the William Construction to you. Just don't pass that ugly face to my eldest grandson," Gudofredo added, leaving Marcus thoroughly perplexed.

"Should I nod, feel offended, or say thank you?" he wondered inwardly, ultimately choosing to say nothing at all.

The dinner dragged on, with each family member smiling and dining together as if they were in a harmonious relationship. However, their words were laden with insults and mockery, continuously attacking each other without pause.

"Can I go home now? When can I receive my pay?" Marcus asked as soon as he stepped out of the dining hall.

"Here's my business card. Send me your details so I can—" Philip Cheng whispered, hastily guiding Marcus out of the hotel. Unfortunately, Margarette William caught up with them.

"What are you two whispering about?" Margarette said, her tone sharp.

"Madam?" Philip Cheng jolted, his eyes trembling as he hadn't expected Margarette to follow them. He quickly passed the mask to Marcus and urged him to wear it before turning to face Margarette.

"What is it?" Margarette asked suspiciously, rubbing her baby bump as she scrutinized the mask covering Marcus’s face. "You're not my husband. Where is he?"