The Heir's Redemption

Chapter three

Chris stopped in his tracks, his mood darkening. His irritation was evident as he sneered, "Is this for real?"

"I'm trying to help you, you know."

"I don't need your help. And I'm not a waiter. I was invited."

He laughed condescendingly and nonchalantly produced his invitation and flaunted it. 

"You were invited? C'mon! This family is one of the most influential in the country. They definitely wouldn't know someone like you."

"Carter, I'm sure Chris may know someone in the family. let's just go inside." Anna said, trying to lighten the situation.

"Let's see your invitation then. I've got mine right here." he boasted, ignoring Anna.

Chris felt humiliated. Carter continued with a smirk. "I understand you need help. if you're willing to get on your knees and beg, I might be inclined to help."

Chris's jaw tightened, resisting the urge to plant his fist on Carter's face to erase the smirk on his face. 

Anna watched the exchange, a furrow of annoyance creasing her forehead. She knew Carter was being pompous. She didn't like him enough to date him. She just enjoyed his company but her motivations were purely business-driven. Love was not on the agenda. She was here to seek opportunities, not romantic entanglements.

Chris's gaze moved to Anna's face and she flinched. He knew the whole situation made her uneasy but he couldn't help but wonder how she was attracted to someone as shallow as Carter. He may be on magazine covers every month as one of the most successful thirty-plus businessmen, but he had very low EQ.

Chris sneered and didn’t answer him. He figured it was useless to argue with Carter. He just wanted to call Potter and get it over with. 

"Wait... Are you thinking about my offer? Are you hesitating? This is a great opportunity for you, you know. You have to keep your pride aside. Your wife has left you. How will you survive now without a job? Without her money, you're nothing.

Although Carter was just speaking to him, he knew that at least the doorman could hear every word.

"Tell me why you're here Chris. Are you here for a job? I could help." Anna urged him.

Chris frowned, a trace of hurt in his eyes, and asked, "Really Anna? You just think so lowly of me don't you? What exactly are you trying to say, Anna? That I can never do anything meaningful with myself? Why do you always assume I'm useless? For your information, I'm here because I was invited!"

He couldn't believe Anna. His chest seemed to be closing in on him, making it impossible to breathe. 

"I don't see the need for you to brag now. You don't want to embarrass yourself here. I'm willing to run around this building shirtless if you do have an invitation." Carter smirked.

Chris raised an eyebrow with a glimmer of defiance in his eyes. "Oh yeah? You're so sure aren't you?"

"Let's not create a scene, Chris." Anna chimed in.

The doorman cleared his throat and turned towards Chris. "Sir, if you will excuse me. This party is held by the Robinson family and no one will make trouble here. I will urge you to leave now. I wouldn't want to be punished." He gestured for Chris to leave.

Chris was about to retort, but before he could utter a word, his butler, Potter, rushed to his side. Beads of sweat glistened on his forehead, and his expression was one of deep concern. He saw that his young master had been restricted from entry and he looked apologetic.

Potter, with his voice trembling, interrupted. Carter saw Potter and smiled in satisfaction. He knew Potter was the family's butler. He must have noticed the exchange and come to know what's wrong, he thought.

"Mr Potter, I'm sure you've come to know what the chaos is all about. We have a slight problem here." Carter said, eyeing Chris condescendingly.

However, Potter ignored him and walked towards Chris, looking apologetic. 

"I'm so...." he stopped immediately when he saw Chris secretly signaling him not to talk. He immediately understood and tried to change his approach.

Potter subtly coughed to get attention. "Umm... Sir, I forgot to give you an invitation. Sorry for the inconvenience. If you can come with me please."

Chris smiled wryly and arched his brow. "Oh don't worry. I'm not in a hurry. I believe I have a game to watch. Someone promised to run around this building shirtless and I can't wait to watch. It's gonna be pretty interesting."

A grim suddenly entered Carter's eyes. He only made the statement about running around shirtless as a joke. He wondered how Chris knew the butler. He thought Chris didn't have the right connection to be at the party. 

A nervous chuckle escaped his lips, betraying his attempt to hide his unease. "Oh c'mon. Mr Potter, you know who I am right? I'm Carter Bronson, from the Bronson Group. My father is Clayton Bronson."

Anna spoke up. She had a frown on her face. " Please, let's not push this so much. It was just a harmless joke."

Chris's expression darkened. He felt disappointment and frustration. It wasn't just the fact that they had blocked him from the party – it was the fact that Anna was now siding with the man who had mocked him.

"Really Anna? I can't believe you're defending him."

"Look, I'm not defending anyone. He said what he said in good fun, and you know it. You don't expect him to run around shirtless now, do you?"

Chris couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy. His words stung, and the fact that she was defending another man only added to his anger.

"He said it himself, Anna."

Carter chimed in, "See man, it was just a harmless joke. No need to get all worked up."

Chris remained eyed both of them quietly with indifference on his face. "Fine, let it go. Besides, I doubt the Robinson family would tolerate a half-naked man sprinting around their property."

Anna sighed with a sense of relief, "Yes, let's not create a scene, Chris."

Just then, Chris's butler spoke up. With a measured tone, he addressed the man, "I'd advise you to avoid making trouble. Making trouble here won't end well for anyone." 

Carter nodded reluctantly, his bravado somewhat deflated. He exchanged a final, hostile glance with Chris.

"Oh no, no, no. No need for that. I didn't come here to make trouble. Besides..." He gestured towards Chris and Potter with his hands, "You're both watchdogs of this family anyway. Since the butler is an acquaintance of yours, I will advise you to ask him to help you get a job here. Right, Anna?"

Anna only nodded slightly. They both turned and retreated into the house. 

Potter turned to Chris, "Sir, let's not let this incident ruin the evening. We're here for different reasons, after all."

Chris nodded but was not in the mood for conversation. He strolled to a quiet corner, a glass of fine whiskey in hand, needing to be alone to collect his thoughts.