Reincarnated With the Ultimate Son-in-law System

Chapter 5

The Crawford Enterprises executive boardroom gleamed with polished mahogany and brass fixtures. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a panoramic view of the city skyline—a constant reminder of the company's dominance in shaping the urban landscape. Michael sat at the middle of the long table, watching as his assembled team filed in for the morning meeting.

"The same faces that gathered for my funeral," he thought, nodding greetings as they took their seats. "Smiling just as sincerely then as they are now."

Jason arrived last, sliding into a seat directly across from Michael. "Traffic was murder," he explained, straightening his tie. "Everyone's headed to the Baxter property opening."

"One of our biggest developments this year," added Vanessa, tapping her tablet to life. "Twenty-six floors of prime commercial real estate, already 80% leased."

Michael leaned forward, elbows on the table. "Let's get started. I've asked each of you to prepare initial proposals for our division's focus. Who wants to begin?"

For the next hour, Michael listened as his team outlined various possibilities for the special projects division. Most centered on what Crawford Enterprises did best—luxury real estate developments, commercial property innovations, high-end residential concepts. The Crawford name had dominated real estate for three generations, with recent expansions into hospitality and retail development.

"So predictable," Michael thought as Jason finished presenting a concept for smart-building integration. "No vision beyond concrete and steel. My father built skyscrapers, his father built shopping centers, and they think the next frontier is just adding some sensors and calling buildings 'smart.'"

"These are all solid proposals," Michael said when the presentations concluded. "But they're extensions of what Crawford already does. My father tasked us with innovation, not iteration."

The room fell silent. Michael could practically hear their thoughts—the owner's son talking about innovation when he'd never shown particular creativity before.

"They think I'm out of my depth," he realized, noting the exchanged glances. "Good. Underestimation works in my favor."

"So what exactly did you have in mind?" Jason asked, his tone carefully neutral though his fingers tapped impatiently against his notepad.

Michael stood, moving to the whiteboard. "Crawford Enterprises has built physical spaces for three generations. I propose we expand into the digital realm."

"Digital real estate?" someone asked skeptically.

"Digital everything," Michael replied, beginning to sketch. "The boundaries between physical and digital are blurring. People live as much in their devices as they do in the buildings we construct."

He outlined a vision for Crawford Digital—deliberately vague about specific products but comprehensive in market strategy. He needed to appear focused on Crawford's future while secretly building his own venture.

"Feed them enough to keep them engaged but not enough to threaten my actual plans," he thought as he addressed their questions.

As the meeting concluded, Michael noticed Megan Chen waiting just outside the boardroom, clutching a folder to her chest. Her oversized glasses kept sliding down her nose, which she pushed back up with a nervous gesture.

"Ms. Chen," he called out. "Perfect timing. Walk with me to my office?"

Megan jumped slightly, nearly dropping her folder. "Yes, of course, Mr. Crawford."

As they walked, Michael observed her from the corner of his eye. Brilliant but insecure. Passionate about her work but rarely given opportunity to showcase it. In his previous life, she'd left the company frustrated and undervalued.

"She has no idea how valuable she really is," he thought as they entered his office. "No idea what she's capable of creating."

"Please, sit," Michael gestured to the chair across from his desk. "And it's Michael, remember?"

"Right, Michael," she said, settling awkwardly into the chair, her posture rigidly formal. "I brought the interface research you requested."

"Before we get to that," Michael said, closing the door, "I need to ask you something important."

Megan's eyes widened behind her glasses. "Oh?"

"Can I trust you, Megan?" Michael asked directly, leaning against his desk rather than sitting behind it.

Her mouth opened slightly, then closed. She pushed her glasses up again. "I... what do you mean exactly?"

"Exactly what I asked," Michael replied. "If I shared something revolutionary with you—something that could change both our futures—could you keep it confidential, even from others at Crawford?"

Megan set the folder on her lap, her fingers fidgeting with the edge. "I'm a researcher, Mr. Crawford—Michael. My work is my life. I wouldn't compromise it by breaking confidentiality."

She hesitated, then added more firmly, "And honestly, no one at Crawford has ever trusted me with anything important enough to leak."

Michael nodded, satisfied with both her answer and his system's assessment. "What if I told you I have technology that's years ahead of anything currently on the market? Something that would make Apple and Samsung look like they're selling rotary phones?"

"I'd... be very interested," she said carefully, her scientific skepticism evident.

Michael moved to his desk, retrieving a tablet from the drawer. He'd loaded it with portions of the blueprint the System had provided—just enough to prove its revolutionary nature without revealing everything.

"What I'm about to show you doesn't leave this room," he said, handing her the tablet.

Megan took it hesitantly, then gasped as she swiped through the designs. Her posture transformed immediately—spine straightening, eyes widening, all nervousness replaced by focused concentration.

"This is... this can't be real," she whispered, fingers furiously swiping through the technical specs. "The battery design alone would require materials engineering that doesn't exist yet. And this neural interface concept—"

"It's real," Michael interrupted. "And I want to build it. Not for Crawford Enterprises. I want to do it Independently."

Megan finally looked up from the tablet, her expression a mixture of excitement and confusion. "Why show this to me?"

"Because you're the only person who can help design the user interface it deserves," Michael replied. "I've seen your work. You think differently."

A slight blush colored her cheeks, but her voice remained professional. "This would require a team. Funding. Resources Crawford wouldn't approve."

"I'm aware," Michael nodded. "That's why I'm meeting someone tonight who might help with those aspects. I'd like you to join us."

"Me?" Megan squeaked, pushing her glasses up again. "Why would you want me there?"

"Because you're the technical genius who will make this real," Michael said simply. "I need you to evaluate if she's the right partner for this venture."

Megan stared at him for a long moment, then nodded, a new determination settling over her features. "When and where?"

**

The Edison was an upscale restaurant housed in a converted power plant—all exposed brick and industrial chic. Michael arrived with Megan precisely at 7 PM, spotting Olivia already seated at a corner table. Unlike Megan's practical slacks and sensible blouse, Olivia wore a sleek black dress that managed to be both professional and undeniably alluring.

"Ms. Wagner," Michael greeted her. "Thank you for meeting us. This is Megan Chen, a brilliant systems engineer I mentioned might join us."

Olivia's perfectly arched eyebrow rose slightly as she extended her hand. "I wasn't aware this would be a group meeting."

"Megan's expertise is essential to what I'm proposing," Michael explained as they sat.

"And what exactly are you proposing, Mr. Crawford?" Olivia asked, taking a slow sip of her wine. "Your message was intriguingly vague."

Michael leaned forward. "A partnership. I have technology that will revolutionize the smartphone industry. Megan has the engineering brilliance to implement it. But we need someone who understands authentication and security protocols to protect it."

"And you thought of me because...?" Her lips curved into a slight smile.

"Because your authentication methodologies in art could translate perfectly to digital security," Michael replied. "And because you're not afraid to challenge established systems."

Olivia's gaze moved from Michael to Megan, then back again. "I'm an art consultant, Mr. Crawford, not a tech entrepreneur."

"You're an authentication expert who understands how to verify the genuine and expose the counterfeit," Michael countered. "In today's digital landscape, that's invaluable."

Megan, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke up. "The technology is real," she said, her voice quiet but firm. "I've reviewed the initial designs. It's unlike anything currently in development. Anywhere."

Olivia studied Megan, seeming surprised by the quiet conviction in her voice. "And why would you need me as more than a consultant? I assume Crawford Enterprises has security divisions."

"This isn't a Crawford Enterprises project," Michael explained. "This would be our company. Equal partners."

"Our company?" Olivia laughed, the sound both melodious and skeptical. "And why would I trust you, Mr. Crawford? For all I know, you could take my authentication protocols and cut me out once they're implemented."

Michael felt a flash of uncertainty. In his previous life, they'd built trust over years, not a single meeting.

"She's testing me," he realized. "Seeing how I respond to challenge."

Beside him, Megan shifted uncomfortably in her chair, pushing her glasses up nervously.

Olivia leaned forward, her perfume subtly enveloping them. "What's to stop me from taking this brilliant idea you've just shared and developing it myself? Or selling it to the highest bidder?"

"Nothing," Michael admitted, meeting her gaze steadily. "Except that you'd need Megan's engineering skill and my market knowledge to make it successful. And you value integrity too much to steal something that could change the world."

A flash of surprise crossed Olivia's features before she masked it with another smile. "You seem very certain about someone you barely know."

"I'm a good judge of character," Michael replied. "You proved that when you investigated the Ming vase after our conversation."

Olivia sat back, studying him with newfound interest. "You're not what I expected, Michael Crawford."

"I get that a lot lately," he said with a slight smile. "So, are you interested in changing the world with us?"

Olivia glanced at Megan, who was watching their exchange with wide eyes. "Your engineer seems convinced. Show me what's got her so excited, and then we'll talk partnership terms."

Michael nodded, pulling out the secure tablet. As he passed it to Olivia, their fingers brushed briefly, and he felt a jolt of recognition—the chemistry that had drawn them together in his previous life was still there, waiting to be rekindled.

"One step at a time," he reminded himself as Olivia began reviewing the designs. "First the company, then the revenge, then maybe something more."

The System's message flashed briefly in his vision:

[Task progress: Team formation initiated. Completion: 67%]

Michael smiled. Everything was proceeding exactly as planned.