Redeemed Son In-law

His family position.

Episode 9

Bryan stared at President Asher, a look of confusion etched across his face. The president's words hung in the air, and Bryan couldn't help but chuckle at the unexpectedness of the situation.

"Why do you assume I was the son the first time?" Bryan demanded, his voice laced with a mix of defiance and amusement. President Asher's serious expression shifted into a smirk as he continued speaking.

"You are the last person I wouldn't recognize. You look so much like your mother, the familiarity is uncanny," he let out, his words imbued with a sense of nostalgia. Bryan hummed in response, a thoughtful sound escaping his lips.

Curiosity piqued, President Asher's tone turned serious again as he questioned Bryan's decision to sell off the chain. He emphasized that he had given it to Bryan to help him discover his identity, expressing confusion as to why Bryan believed selling it was the best course of action. Bryan found himself unable to respond immediately, caught off guard by the president's inquiry. After a moment of silence, he finally replied, his voice tinged with speechlessness and a hint of vulnerability.

Bryan's sincerity was evident as he explained his reasons for selling off the chain. The weight of his sister's hospital bill hung heavy in the air, threatening to snatch away a loved one if the necessary surgery couldn't be conducted soon. President Asher took a deep breath, a realization dawning on him of just how much he cared about his sister. The depths of their mother's influence and the way she had raised her children became clear in that moment.

Determined to alleviate Bryan's worries, President Asher reassured him, his voice filled with conviction. "You don't have to worry anymore, I've got everything under control," he declared as he reached for his phone and dialed the doctor's number. The phone rang, and President Asher anxiously awaited the doctor's response, his focus solely on securing the necessary treatment for Bryan's sister.

"Hello, Doctor Charles, this is Asher," President Asher stated calmly, the weight of his position evident in his voice. The doctor's excitement was palpable as he recognized the caller.

"President Asher, right? Wow, it's been a while. You haven't been coming to the hospital," Doctor Charles exclaimed, his curiosity piqued. President Asher acknowledged the fact that he had been preoccupied, but wasted no time in requesting immediate attention for someone in the hospital. Doctor Charles, sensing the urgency in Asher's voice, inquired about the individual and requested their file. President Asher turned his gaze towards Bryan, prompting him to answer the doctor's question.

President Asher's demand rang through the phone, commanding the attention of Bryan. He gingerly took hold of the phone, clearing his throat nervously before speaking. "Dr. Charles, it's Bryan Creston," he began, his voice a touch shaky. "I was at your office just a few hours ago. My sister is currently a patient in ward 34, diagnosed with kidney stones, and we're preparing for a kidney transplant. Does my name perhaps ring a bell?"

The doctor's response was laced with a mix of recognition and frustration. "Yes, I remember you," his voice tinged with disappointment. "Have you been able to gather the funds?" he questioned, his disappointment thinly veiled as he implied a lack of love for Bryan's sister. The doctor's words struck a nerve, highlighting the financial strain Bryan found himself in. With a deep sigh, the doctor reminded Bryan of their previous agreement to keep his sister in the hospital for treatment with the understanding that he would pay the remaining balance in installments. The doctor's frustration became evident as he pointed out Bryan's current delinquency in meeting those payments.

Feeling a mix of guilt and helplessness, Bryan handed the phone back to President Asher, unable to bear the weight of the conversation any longer.

"Do you think he's not capable?" President Asher asked, his frustration palpable in his voice. He had called Charles himself, hoping for some answers, but found his words to be nothing but irritating. The president couldn't help but wonder if this was truly the character of the man he had entrusted with such an important task.

"Is that who you are?" President Asher continued, his voice tinged with a mix of disappointment and disbelief. "Are you the type of person who only respects others based on the size of their pockets? Does your regard for me stem solely from my status as a philanthropist?"

As Charles sensed the rising tide of anger within the president, he realized he needed to explain himself. His tone changed, reflecting a more apologetic and earnest tone. "I didn't mean to, sir. I was just trying to push him harder, to expedite the progress. It has been over two years now, and we seem to be getting nowhere with this girl."

President Asher paused, weighing his options. He didn't want to escalate the situation unnecessarily, but he also couldn't deny his growing frustration. After a moment of inner contemplation, he decided to relent and give Charles a chance to explain further.

President Asher quickly ended the call with a sense of urgency in his voice. "Calculate all the bills, including the outstanding amounts. I need you to forward them to my email immediately so we can proceed with the surgery without delay. I will be expecting your email," he stated firmly before concluding the call. 

As the weight of the situation sank in, Bryan was taken aback and found himself falling to his knees in gratitude. Tears streamed down his cheeks as he couldn't contain his immense relief and appreciation. President Asher, caught off guard by Bryan's display of emotions, swiftly reached out to help him up from his kneeling position.

"Thank you, sir. You are truly a life-saver," Bryan managed to utter through his teary voice, expressing his overwhelming gratitude.

President Asher, touched by the gesture but also aware of the disparity in their positions, gently reassured Bryan. "You, as a Youngmaster, kneeling for me is completely unnecessary. Please, stand," he said with a hint of sincerity in his voice. Bryan nodded, his head shaking in disagreement with President Asher's humble statement.

Just as they were about to continue their conversation, President Asher's phone suddenly began ringing, interrupting the moment and capturing their attention.

President Asher pleaded with Bryan for a moment of privacy, and Bryan nodded in understanding, giving him the space he needed. Picking up the phone, President Asher held it to his ear, preparing himself for the call's content.

"Hello, Betty," he greeted, his voice tinged with a mix of concern and frustration. "I told you I would be at the company shortly. Why have you called me now?"

On the other end of the line, Betty responded, her urgency evident in her voice as she relayed the troubling news. As President Asher listened to his daughter's words, his anger began to simmer beneath the surface. Lisa was trying to sway the shareholders with arguments in favor of her son taking over the company, citing his supposed experience as a reason to exclude the "stranger" - President Asher's chosen successor - from leadership.

Betty continued, explaining how hard she had tried to dissuade them from following Lisa's lead, emphasizing the importance of adhering to the plan left behind by Mr. Creston, the founder of the company. She acknowledged Lisa's compelling arguments and the valid points she had raised, which threatened to undermine the position of President Asher's chosen successor.

President Asher clenched his fists together tightly, the anger bubbling within him, as he processed the betrayal and manipulation happening within his beloved company.

After listening to the urgent plea from his daughter, President Asher's expression hardened. His voice remained firm as he spoke into the phone, a hint of a smirk playing across his face. "You have to make sure she doesn't succeed. I have already convinced him, and we are just waiting for his acceptance. Regardless, it is imperative that she does not sway the shareholders to her side."

The call came to an end, leaving President Asher to face Bryan with a mixture of determination and concern. As he observed Bryan's puzzled expression, President Asher realized that he hadn't completely shared the gravity of the situation with him.

"You need to accept the truth about who you are," President Asher began, his voice now filled with a sense of urgency. "Your stepmother is making relentless attempts to secure a position for your brother. If she succeeds, it will pose a significant challenge for us. Time is running out, and we must act swiftly."

Placing his hand firmly on the table, President Asher made it clear that they needed to confront this challenge head-on and protect the company from falling into the wrong hands.

Bryan carefully expressed his concerns, acknowledging the immense responsibility that came with being a chairman. He understood the importance of learning how things operated within President Asher's company before fully taking on such a role. It was clear that he didn't want to rush into anything without the necessary knowledge and understanding.

President Asher reassured Bryan that his concerns would be addressed. He assured him that arrangements would be made to provide the necessary training and guidance, either through hiring an expert or personally overseeing Bryan's education in the workings of the company. Bryan nodded in acknowledgement, understanding that this was a crucial step towards successfully assuming his position.

President Asher, eager to move things forward, inquired about Bryan's timeline for transitioning into the role. He wanted to ensure that the process would align smoothly with his sister's surgery. Bryan responded sincerely, expressing his desire to be there for his sister during this critical period, only making the move once her surgery had been successfully completed.

"It's not a problem. Just make the move as soon as possible," President Asher stated, emphasizing the importance of Bryan transitioning into his new role promptly. With a gesture, he brought something out of his pocket and handed it to Bryan. Bryan took the item, examining it curiously.

"This seems like a black card," Bryan remarked, his gaze fixed on the mysterious card. President Asher nodded, confirming its identity.

"Yes, it is. Your dad specifically instructed that only you would have access to it. There is no spending limit," President Asher informed him. His words mesmerized Bryan, leaving him in awe of the possibilities and privileges that came with this unique card.