The Vicious Son-in-law

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

A few days after the grand party at the family Villa, the Williams family gathered around the breakfast table; they were engaged in a business discussion on how to go about their next contract. Warren was present beside Devan and he did his best to make sure his presence was not noticed.

This was not successful as Troy, who always found delight in making Warren a subject of mockery, found an opportunity to strike.

“Warren, wouldn’t you like to contribute to the discussion? We would love to hear your brilliant ideas,” he said sarcastically, earning a chorus of loud laughter from the table. 

Warren did what he always felt was best; ignore Troy.

Lady Williams intervened with a clear look of annoyance on her face

“Troy, that's enough. We are discussing important matters here, not trivial issues,” she remarked, and Warren understood quite well what she meant. He was used to Lady Williams making statements that indirectly said a lot about her dislike for him.

Nevertheless, he seized the opportunity to speak with Lady Williams.

“Lady Williams, is it okay if I speak with you privately, please? It’s on a really important subject," he asks.

Lady Williams quirks her eyebrows up in curiosity. To her, Warren never brought good news. What did he want from her this time?

“And whatever could that be?” she asks in return, not even bothering to look at his direction. Warren, who is fully aware of the probability of a backlash from the rest of the family after he makes his request known, insists on having a private conversation with her in the study.

“Say whatever you’ve got to say Warren. We are a family here. Have you suddenly forgotten?" Laurel said in a bored tone that held no passion or interest and Lady Williams nodded.

“She’s right. Say whatever urgent thing you have to say. We are all listening. It doesn’t change a thing if we discuss it in the study or not. My response would remain the same," Lady Williams says, her tone holding no room for him to argue. 

He had always been surprised at how quickly the old lady changed her attitude towards him after Master Williams passed on, joining the others to make a mockery of him at every opportunity.

Emily, Devan’s older sister and the oldest of Lady Williams’ grandchildren motioned for them to quiet down.

“Let’s hear what brother-in-law has to say. It’s not every day we get to hear ideas from him. Who knows, it could be of benefit to the company,” She stated, and Warren didn’t fail to notice the seething hatred in her voice.

“Benefit? This guy doesn’t know a thing about running a business. Not to talk of running a notable business like ours,” Laurel chimed in.

“Come to think of it, I never did ask what job you did back at where you worked...was it Brooklyn? Yeah, whatever it’s called,” Troy asks in a mocking tone, and Warren fights the urge not to throw his fist in his face.

“That doesn’t matter now, does it?”He replies, still trying to maintain his cool.

“Of course, it doesn’t matter now; after all, Grandpa happened to find you and placed you in a world you don’t belong in. Now my sister is stuck with you forever,” Emily muttered, but audible enough for everyone at the table to hear, and they all laughed. Warren glanced at his wife; as usual, she remained defiant and said nothing to defend him.

“That’s enough. Let’s hear what you have to say Warren, and please make it quick. I don’t have all day,” Lady Williams says after. An uncomfortable silence follows with all eyes fixed on Warren.

“I was hoping to get a job at the Walton company …my present job doesn’t pay much,” he finally says, not looking at anyone.

Troy, Laurel and Emily burst into laughter and Warren was filled with regret as to why he spoke in the first place. He looks at his wife and sees an angry expression on her face.

“Do you always have to embarrass yourself? Do you think you could fit into the company,” she said quietly to him, fiddling with her fork.

Lady Williams spoke up.

“You know the rules Warren, and you are quite familiar with them. There are requirements to be met. You shouldn’t think you can get a job easily at the Walton company simply because you are married to my granddaughter. Things do not work that way,” she replies to him and laughs.

“What were you thinking, Warren? That you could get a job in our company without experience? You really are that dull? Do you know how hard we had to work to get to the positions we hold at the company presently?" Troy asks rudely.

Warren knew that wasn’t true. Troy didn’t know a thing about handling a business. He only had a position in the office because of his close bond with his grandma. A few years back, he always heard Master Williams complain about the fact that Troy lacked enthusiasm when it came to learning with the excuse that he had various trust funds set up in his name, so there was no need to work. And so he paid no attention to whatever Troy was saying.

“I understand, Lady Williams, and I am willing to try to meet the requirements to prove myself.” He needed the job, and he had hoped he would get it. Of course, Lady Williams could just say the word, and he would be given the job, but owing to the fact that she had a strong dislike for him, she didn’t make it easy.

Lady Williams was quiet, allowing Warren’s request to hang in the air. She knew Warren had potential and that was why she deliberately refused him a job since the passing of her husband, simply stating that he was not experienced enough. She hated the fact that her husband brought home a stranger that wasn’t even in their social class.

“I would give it some thought and let you know my decision," Lady Flora Williams said in a dismissive tone that suggested that whatever topic he had brought up was closed already. And so she resumed her discussion about the company and the family joined her, leaving Warren out again as usual.