From Rejected Son in Law to Empire Heir

Chapter 15: The Fake Smile

 Ava's eyes softened  when she saw that Logan wasn't looking at her. He turned his face away from her and then she saw a faint slap mark which she had given him earlier. Another wave of guilt crashed down on her. Then she saw him leaving the room. "Where are you going?"

 "To get us something to eat." He said flatly, his voice carried no emotion.

 Logan left the ward to a public cafe to get the takeouts he ordered for him and his wife, then Alfred's message came in.

 "Sir, I've reinstated Synergy Corp to its former position."

 He was about to reply when he heard two familiar voices behind him.

 "Hey, isn't that my handsome son-in-law I'm seeing over there?”

 "What are you saying, mom? Of course, it's Logan. Is there anyone that can be as dashing as he is?"

 Logan turned around stiffly only to see Leslie Cooper, his mother-in-law and Stacy Cooper, his sister-in-law watching him, the weirdest thing was that they were smiling at him or pretending to, at least. Logan almost thought they were sick or something.

 "Hello Mrs Cooper, Stacy, what are you two doing here?"

 Leslie frowned when she heard this. "What are you saying Logan? Can't I come and see my sick granddaughter whenever I can? Can't I be worried about her?"

 Logan raised an eyebrow. He was tempted to argue with her but didn't have the strength. He remembered how Leslie and Stacy treated him ever since Mia was admitted. They left no stone turned in embarrassing and condemning him for being unable to provide for his wife and child.

 Stacy could see the growing tension between her mother and Logan and then she interjected with a nervous laugh. "See Logan, we brought you and sister lunch along with some snacks." She cheerfully raised the bag for him to see with a fake smile plastered on her face.

 At this point, Logan could see that these two came with an ulterior motive and it didn't take long for him to figure it out. "Are you doing all these because of what happened today at the Astral Corp's headquarters?"

 The smile on Leslie and Stacy's face froze as they realised that they've been caught. They looked at each other, trying to come up with a way to move from this. 

 "Uhm, well that's one of the reasons I'm here…" Leslie confessed before she decided to continue, "But I'm also here to see my granddaughter and my daughter. Not everything is all about business you know." 

 Logan could only nod with disappointment. He was a fool to believe that they would be here for his daughter. Even when Mia was healthy, they never reached out and whenever they came over, it was always to tell Ava to divorce him. 

 Logan figured that it was of no use dwelling on the matter. "So, what do you want from me?" He asked to see if Leslie really meant what she said.

 But she took the bait immediately, disappointing Logan, "How is it possible that the CEO of Astral Corp seems to know you? How did you get to meet him because this is something I failed to do myself yet the CEO made time for a rusty janitor like you." Leslie showed her true colors too soon when she couldn't help but curse Logan. That's what she had always done so she couldn't stop now. 

 "And to think they sent the secretary down just to get you..." Stacy added. just what connection do you have with him?" 

 "With that being said and done…" Leslie continued, trying to bring the conversation back to herself, "I'm sure you know one or two executives at Astral Corp. I would appreciate it if you help your mother-in-law in initiating a negotiation with them. If they ask you, tell them that my company would like to have them onboard as a major investor and that this project will open doors of great accomplishment in the future." 

 Logan maintained a neutral expression but inside, he was groaning with boredom. Leslie was really trying to blow his ears drums with the nonsense she was saying. Just from all that she said, he knew right away that his family would never have the slightest interest in investing their money into such a business. 

 Leslie noticed now silent Logan had been so she urged on. "What do you think? 

 First, Logan brought out his wallet and paid for his food and that of  Ava's to show them that he could afford it and that he didn’t need anything from them.

 The look on both Leslie and Stacy's faces were priceless…