The Secret Billionaire Son-in-law

Chapter 8

When Charles and Lilly arrived back home, there was this unusual silence as he paced around the room while smashing whatever he could lay his hands at. 

“ Charles, you need to calm down! ”.

“ Did I just hear you properly, I should calm down, I have never been humiliated in my life like this before, amid the most influential men and women in Maple City where I was hoping to gain more connections”.

“ I understand what this might cause us, but you need to calm down and think of a way to solve this”.

“ First thing is first, Lisa cannot work with Bryn Empire else she will only gain more connections, we need to find a way to undermine the contract”.

“ I know, but my first impression of the president wasn't a good one, and I need to renew this contract more than anything else, there is no way he would listen to us if we asked him to cancel the contract”.

“ Yes, but there is someone Lisa would listen to, and that is your grandma, you need to speak to her”.

 Lilly was silent for a while, her slender back facing Charles who could not stop picturing their looks on two occasions where he was humiliated before Harry and Lisa. 

 Lisa was almost on her way to work the next day when she received a call from Grandma asking to see the three of them, considering that Collins, who was their favorite, wasn't back from his trip. 

They arrived at the Carrion mansion in midtown early before 7:00 am, the air seemed tense and hostile with Grandma Maria and Uncle Eric glaring at them. 

“ Good morning grandma, good morning uncle”. Lisa greeted as she went before them and so did Emily and Harry. 

Lisa and Emily took the couch a distance away from Grandma while Harry stood behind like he had always done. 

“  Lisa, did I interrupt your work this morning? ”.

“ Not at all Grandma”. Lisa replied respectfully. 

“ I heard that you got a contract from Bryn Empire, when were you going to tell me? ”.

“ I apologize, Grandma, I have been so busy and asked my mother to inform you of the new development, I am sorry if she did not ”.

“ Your mother is not your errand child, and what, you think because you have landed a contract with Bryn Empire, then you can snub your family who raised you”.

“ I wasn't snubbing you….”.

“ Can't you just shut up while grandma is talking! ”. Eric yelled as he narrowed his brow at her. 

Lisa clasped her hands together with her head bowed low and did not dare say a word to them again. 

“ What transpired between you and your sister at the party, or did you forget that she was your sister? ”.

“ No Grandma, I tried asking her to stop, but she won't listen ”.

“ Would shut up that thing you call a mouth, just because you can land a tiny contract with the Bryn Empire, you now think that you can walk on your family”.

 Eric roared, his voice echoing through the room. 

“ I am sorry uncle, that was not my intention”.

“ It's alright! ”. Grandma waved her hand. “ Your company is small and unable to handle such a large contract, so you have to hand over the contract to your uncle”. Grandma Maria expressed and Lisa did not realize that her jaws were almost dropping off the ground. 

Lisa felt her skin become pale as she froze there, still trying to access what she just heard. Her company has been going through some crises and none of them were ready to help, but just when she found a way to retrieve her company, they wanted to take that away from her again. 

“ Grandma, you know Lilly's company has been experiencing some rough patch, she needs this contract”. Emily expressed softly and Eric shot her dark glare. 

“ She is going through some rough patch, the main reason why she can't handle such a large contract is to deliver one million pieces of each design in under a month, don't you understand what is going to happen”.

 Grandma explained, her voice so calm like she cared so much about Lisa. 

Harry who stood silently for a while could not help it as he scoffed, a sly smile filled with disdain appeared on his lips. 

“ What was that for? ”. Eric questioned and all attention was focused on him. 

“ A proposal Lisa spent sleepless nights trying to come up with and you want her to relinquish it to you just because you feel that she doesn't deserve anything good”.

 Harry had his eyes glued to Eric while he spoke, he had never dared look anyone in the Carrion family in their eyes and this made Eric furious as he got on his feet. 

“ How dare you speak especially in front of Grandma, just because we allow you in here, do you think that makes you one of us!! ”.

“ I don't intend to be one of you if that is what you call a family… ”.

“ Harry be quiet” Lisa spoke calmly. 

“Why should I be quiet and watch them treat you like this”.

“ And who are you to decide how we should be treated! ”. Madam Emily barked at him. 

“ Harry, be calm, have got this' '. She whispered and pierced him with an assuring gaze. 

“ Grandma, how about Uncle Eric and I work on the project!”. Lisa suggested and Eric let out a sarcastic scoff. 

“ You want my company to work with you, what do you think that you can offer, I am sorry Lisa you will have to hand over that contract to us else, you will be sent to jail by Bryn Empire because obviously, there is no way that you can deliver”.

“ But uncle, my company needs the profit more than ever”.

“ Then I will give you fifteen percent of it”.

 Harry could not believe what he was hearing, he could feel his heart pacing with rage, Lisa and her family have always tried to belong, but whatever she did, they were never satisfied. 

“ Lisa, are you going to sit there and listen to these! ”. Harry yelled, his eyes bloodshot red, Lisa had never seen him this angry or talk back to her family, but somehow, she was glad that he was learning to stand up for her. 

“ Fine! I will sign a contract with Carrion Fashion! ”. Lisa replied, both Emily and Harry widened their eyes at her words. 

“ Lisa! Are you sure about these? ”. Emily asked as her gaze softened on her daughter. “ How are you going to get the funds you need for your company? ”.

“ It is simple, she gets married to Jeff and that solves all her problems”. Eric replied. 

“ Here we go again, you all going back against your words, we agreed a few days ago right in this room that you would let the both of us be if she was able to come up with a way to fund her company which she did, you are taking that away from her and forcing out her hand again against someone she doesn't want to be with”.

“ And you think that she likes to be with you, you think that Lisa is happy being married to you, why do you think she stopped all her friends from visiting her home”.

“ Uncle that is enough, I have agreed to your demands, there is no need for any of these ”.

 Harry could feel the words stink in his heart, no matter how much he wanted not to believe the words Eric just said, he knew they were true and Lisa hated being married to him. 

“ We will be on our way now, Thank you once again for taking away the means of survival of my family”. Emily broke out and dashed out of the room while Lisa and Harry followed. 

“ What do you think you were doing exchanging words with my uncle back there”. Lisa cautioned as soon as she started the car. 

“ I am sorry, but I can no longer sit there and watch them treat me like that”.

“ Do not do that next time, whatever my uncle throws at me, I think that I am more than capable of handling it”.

“ It didn't seem like you were handling it in there, it felt like you were running away from a fight you were certain you would win”.

“ They are my family, I will never go up against them and can you stop battering words with me! ”.

“ As much as I dislike Harry so much, I agree with him for once. They knew how badly we needed that contract and took it away from us with no sympathy at all, sometimes I wonder if they regard us as family the way we do”.

Emily lamented that the tears were almost rolling down her eyes. 

“ Mother, that is enough, I am confident in my talent and will land another contract with another company”.

“ And then they will take it away from you, and the next one and the one after that until you have nothing left to survive, and then they will mock you and call you incapable! ”. 

Harry grumbled, she had never seen him this angry about anything before and understood how furious this made him. 

***** 

Harry arrived at the office on his bike which he parked in the VIP section of the parking lot, his shirt was strained and wrinkled while his black trouser was faded and worn out, but his hair was neatly washed, oiled, and styled and slicked back. 

His steps were calm, poised, and numbered, and as he walked in, everyone immediately got on their feet while some could not help but mumble behind. 

Williams scurried over to him, and his eyes immediately fell on his clothes. 

“ Sir! Why are you dressed like this? ”.

“ Williams, is that a proper greeting appropriate for this time of the day? ”.

“ I am sorry Sir, I was taken by your dressing”. Williams replied but Harry had scurried through the elevator. 

“ What do we have today? ”. Harry asks seeing as Williams follows behind. 

“ Timeless company called, they will be handing over the contract to Carrion Fashion”.

“ Explain to them that won't be happening, this contract will only work as long as Lisa is in charge, once anything changes, terminate the contract and have they pay a file since they violated the contract first”.

“ Yes sir! Also, it seems like Global Tech is threatening to cancel our partnership with them”.

“ And why is that? ”.

“ I am not certain because they haven't given any vivid reason but I think they are afraid that the new president is new to this and not capable of handling a company as large as this, considering that other companies are trying to pitch them and if we lose them, it is going to cause a crack because they are our biggest investors”.

“ Set up a meeting with the CEO”.

“ I already tried, but he is inclined to meet you”.

“ I see… Which other company is he looking to work with? ”.

“ I don't know, but there are many companies that have lined up since he made the announcement”.

“ Find out which company he is looking to work with and do that as soon as possible”.

“ Yes sir”. The elevator made a ding sound as the door opened and both men hurried out. Williams took the other way to his office while Harry took the opposite direction. 

Harry scurried into his large office painted white and uncluttered, with only a few pieces of sophisticated art adorning them. 

His worn-out shoes walked onto the floor that was polished with hardwood, and up were subtle lights that shone brightly on the polished wooden table and leather armchair, behind which was a shelf with thousands of books. 

His eyes darted to the professional leather suit that hung on the wall, he had requested that it should be provided daily at his office considering the situation that he cannot dress properly from home. 

After changing into the appropriate outfit, he got on his computer, his eyes glancing at the pile of files beside him. 

Lilly arrived at Bryn Empire dressed in a silk gown that was above her knee as it clung to her body, exposing all the necessary parts. The neck was low enough to reveal most of her thighs when she needed it to. 

Lilly wore an expensive heel that did not fail to announce her presence as she arrived, her round face covered in thick makeup that enhanced her beauty as much as she wanted it to. 

“ Good morning! ”. The receptionist greeted, her eyes piqued with admiration at the figure before her. 

“ I would like to meet the president”. She spoke, lifting the sophisticated glass that covered her eyes occupied with long lashes. 

The receptionist clicked on her computer and her face was immediately filled with disappointment as it landed on Lilly. 

“ I am sorry Ms. Lilly, but you cannot see the president”.

“ What are you implying? ”. Lilly inquired as she furrowed her brows. 

“ I am sorry ma'am, but that is the new directive, you will have to fix an appointment in advance before you can see him”. Lilly scoffed, feeling disgusted at the attitude of this new president. 

“ And does that directive apply to me, you do know who I am right? ”.

“ Yes I do, and I am deeply sorry, but this applies to everyone, I suggest that you take it up with the executive manager”. She suggested. 

Lilly thought about it for a while before scurrying into the elevator in a fist of rage.