THE DEJECTED SON-IN-LAW

7

Cal had returned to the activity room.

Chris and the others immediately set aside their work, and Leon even pulled out the boss chair that used to belong to Wayne, offering it to Cal.

"Isn't this Brother Wayne's chair?"

"Can I really sit in it?" Cal asked politely.

Wayne immediately smiled bitterly. "Brother Cal, don't tease me. From now on, in our security department, you're the big brother."

"Oh, right—Brother Cal, my hemorrhoids keep recurring. Do you have any way to treat them?" Wayne also pleaded.

These rough men, though they usually didn't get along with anyone, genuinely admired Cal.

Not only could he treat illnesses, but he also seemed incredibly capable.

Wayne and the others were puzzled.

Such a talented person—why did Ms. Archer assign him to be a security guard?

The main thing was that Cal actually accepted the job.

"Brother Cal, before you came back, Ms. Archer came asking about the situation," Leon suddenly said.

"You didn't spill anything, did you?"

"Don't worry—we all said what you told us to say," Chris also replied.

Cal nodded. "Good. In the future, stay sharp. Tell Ms. Archer and the others whatever they want to hear. The worse they think my situation is in the security department, the better. I'm not afraid of losing face—I'm just afraid of trouble."

Cal reminded them again, then asked, "What kind of work do we usually do? We can't just sit around, right?"

"Just sit here and watch the surveillance footage. Occasionally take a walk around the premises," Wayne said.

"Is it really that simple?" Cal's eye twitched.

He hadn't come here to slack off, but to genuinely contribute to the company and repay his debts as quickly as possible. He still had seventeen beautiful fiancées waiting for him to visit.

"Train soldiers for a thousand days, use them for a moment," Wayne replied.

"As security guards, there usually isn't much happening, but when something does happen, it's always serious."

"A few months ago, people from the Dragon Tiger Gang came to cause trouble at the company. Our entire security team mobilized to protect the employees."

"But those brothers suffered badly. They were all sent to the hospital and haven't been released yet. We're all new hires, filling the vacancies," Wayne explained the company's recent situation.

"The Dragon Tiger Gang? Are they really that powerful?" Cal asked skeptically.

"Of course. They're one of the top five underground forces in Riverton. Especially the vice leader, known as Tiger in the underworld. He single-handedly wiped out an entire gang—his combat skills are terrifying," Wayne replied.

"I heard it might be connected to Thornton Enterprises," he added in a low voice.

---

The workday quickly passed, and it was time to clock out.

To thank Cal for helping with their medical issues, Wayne and the others had bought gifts during lunch as tokens of appreciation.

"Brother Cal, keep this box of liquor. I'll come thank you properly when my wife has a child."

"And my tea leaves—take them home and brew them for your aunt."

At the company entrance, Wayne and the others each held gifts to present to Cal.

As they were speaking, Serena and Grace, the two friends, also emerged from the company.

"Hmm?"

"Wayne, what are you all carrying those gifts for?" Grace looked puzzled at the scene.

Serena was equally curious.

"This..." Leon and the others suddenly paled.

Fortunately, Wayne was quick-witted. "Isn't this country boy giving us these gifts? Wants us to look after him in the future. Do either of you want one? Why don't you pick something to take home?"

Wayne tried to curry favor.

Grace smiled. "You keep them. After all, it's his filial gesture. Remember to *take care* of him more in the future."

Grace deliberately emphasized "take care."

"Absolutely. We'll definitely satisfy both bosses," Wayne promised readily.

Grace nodded with satisfaction, then drove away with Serena.

"Hahaha..."

"Serena, I think this country boy is genuinely scared of being beaten."

"He already knows to give gifts to the leaders and butter them up so he won't get hurt."

In the car, Grace laughed mockingly.

Serena said nothing, but her disdain for Cal intensified.

She despised spineless men most of all.

And Cal was clearly one of them.

"Don't mention him in front of me again. It's irritating."

"Now ask Rain what time we're meeting at Red Rose Bar. We're almost there," Serena urged.

---

On the other side, Wayne and the others departed after seeing off Serena and her group.

Cal didn't want the gifts—cigarettes, alcohol, tea—but Wayne and the others insisted before leaving.

This left Cal in a bind. How was he supposed to carry all this back? He couldn't manage it all.

Would he really have to spend money on a taxi?

Just as he was wrestling with this dilemma, a military green off-road vehicle pulled up.

The window rolled down, revealing Morgan's stunningly beautiful yet cold face!

"Damn it!"

"Are you not done yet?"

"You think changing vehicles will make me date you?"

"Lady, I've told you countless times—we have no chance."

Seeing the persistent woman again, Cal was exasperated.

Would she ever give up?

But Morgan wasn't angry.

Very few people in this world had the right to anger her.

Her fiancé was one of them.

But Cal clearly wasn't!

So in the face of Cal's insults, Morgan replied with only two words: "Get in."

"What? We're not related, and you're not my wife. Why should I get in your car?" Cal was baffled.

"As long as you're willing, I can be your wife right now," Morgan said, dressed in military uniform and radiating heroic determination.

"In your dreams!" Cal refused outright and turned to leave.

But he still couldn't carry the gifts.

"I'll give you five seconds. If you don't get in, I won't offer again," Morgan's expression remained cold, her tone unchanged.

Cal thought for a moment. Since he couldn't carry the gifts anyway, he might as well accept this woman's ride.

"Number 68 Willowbrook Road, Lakeshore Estates Villa District. Five dollars. Are you going or not?" Cal climbed in and spoke directly to the driver.

The driver was so furious he wanted to hit someone.

Did this bastard really think he was running a taxi service?

"Take him there," Morgan ordered.

On the way, Cal asked Morgan curiously, "What do you do all day when you have nothing better to do? Just stalk me constantly?"

Morgan replied, "No. I have work tonight. There will be a special operation near Red Rose Bar. Stay away from there—it's dangerous."

Morgan maintained her cold expression.

Cal didn't even want to look at her.

But it was a shame she had such a beautiful face.

Though Cal found Morgan irritating, he had to admit this woman was even more beautiful than Serena—she was just too arrogant.

Of course, Serena was also beautiful.

They soon arrived at the villa district. Cal got out and tossed five dollars at Morgan.

He didn't want to owe this arrogant woman any favors.

"I'll be waiting here tomorrow morning at 8:40 to take you to work." As she departed, Morgan spoke coldly to Cal.

Cal stood frozen.

He remembered that one of the classic moves for boys pursuing girls was picking them up and dropping them off at work.

So what the hell was this?

Was this female general actually pursuing *him*?

Thinking of this, Cal shuddered.

He genuinely feared that one day, after failing to win him over, this female general would become enraged and summon her troops to string him up and beat him.

"Forget it. Who knows who'll beat whom when that time comes?"

Cal shook his head and returned to the Whitmore family villa, helping Mrs. Whitmore prepare dinner.

At eight o'clock in the evening, Shane finally came home.

"Damn Thornton Enterprises!"

"Wasn't killing my father enough?"

"Now they're still eyeing the city hospital supply contract!"

As soon as he entered, Shane threw his suit jacket on the sofa and vented his rage.

"What's wrong?"

"Is Marcus Thornton causing trouble again?"

Mrs. Whitmore, Lily, emerged and asked upon hearing the commotion, her pretty face turning pale.

"Who else could it be?"

Shane was in a foul mood.

His father had just passed away, and Thornton Enterprises was already making moves.

Additionally, his uncle had returned, and today the board had directly parachuted in a general manager, clearly intending to divide power with Serena and gradually control the entire company.

During this period, Shane faced troubles both internal and external, naturally causing him immense distress.

"By the way, where's Serena?"

"She's been staying out later at night recently."

"Marcus Thornton isn't a good person. He used to be involved in shady business. Someone like him will stop at nothing to achieve his goals." Shane looked around but didn't see his daughter.

"Serena said she went out to dinner with classmates and will be back later."

"It's already eight o'clock. Call her and tell her to come home soon," Shane urged.

Lily immediately called her daughter, but no one answered. Perhaps her phone was on silent.

"Why don't we have Cal go check on her?" Lily also grew worried.

Shane glanced at Cal, who was still helping in the kitchen. Though he didn't want his daughter having too much contact with this country boy, for her safety, Shane agreed.

"Lily, did you say Serena and her friends went to Red Rose Bar?" Cal was taken aback. This location seemed familiar.

"Yes, that girl loses track of time when she's having fun. We can't even reach her by phone. Go check on her and tell her to come home. Why is a young woman out at night?" Lily asked worriedly.

"Don't worry, Mrs. Whitmore. I'll go check on her right now." Cal put on his shoes and left the villa.

---

When Cal arrived at Red Rose Bar, Serena and her friends were still chatting enthusiastically.

"Rain, do you remember?"

"When we were in school and the academic pressure got too intense, Grace would often take us to bars to chat and unwind."

Serena seemed to have been drinking, with a touch of color on her pretty face that looked even more enchanting under the dim red lighting.

The girl sitting opposite her, however, was no less stunning in looks or bearing.

In fact, compared to Serena's cool, mature demeanor, the girl opposite had a more innocent and gentle temperament.

This was Serena's other best friend, Rain Sterling.

"Yeah, I remember we were too scared to come at first. We thought only bad kids went to bars," Rain recalled with a smile, her innocent face showing two charming dimples.

"Oh my god, you two still have the nerve to say that!" Grace feigned indignation.

"I regret bringing you two here. Ever since then, so many guys have come over trying to chat you up and get your numbers, completely ignoring me. I was so upset back then..."

"Hahaha..."

The three sisters reminisced about the past, laughing and chatting happily.

Just as they were having a wonderful time, Cal arrived.