The Astonishing Rise Of Hector Henderson

CHAPTER 12

Sheila smiled slightly, anticipating the question. "The Gold Level partners are the highest-ranking collaborators. They’re the major stakeholders, the ones who shape the company’s future. They have the most influence, exclusive access to confidential information, and can veto decisions if necessary. They are the core of the company's leadership."

Hector closed the file and looked at her. "So, these Bronze Level partners... can they eventually move up?"

"Yes," Sheila said, "with time, investment, and loyalty, Bronze Level partners can be promoted to Silver and, eventually, to Gold if they prove their value."

"Interesting," Hector muttered, setting the file back down on the table, deep in thought.

He wanted something to help his wife, and placing them at the Bronze Level would have been favorable since they could level up later. But with the issues they were facing, he couldn’t place them there.

His eyes darted to the Gold Level file. The only place they could belong at the moment was in the Gold Level partnership to resolve their situation.

He picked up the Silver Level partner list and scanned the names. It would be easier if he recognized a family on the list. His wife’s family was only a tier-3 family, and he wanted to see their tier on the Silver list.

Upon reaching the fifth name, his brows twitched, and a frown appeared on his face when he saw a familiar name. One he didn’t want to see.

"The Jayden family," he muttered. "How absurd. What are they doing here?"

Without hesitation, he grabbed the pen Sheila had given him earlier and crossed out the Jayden family name from the Silver Level partner list.

"Kick the Jayden family out," he stated. "I don’t want them here."

"Yes, sir."

Sheila nodded and took the file from him. Taking the Gold Level partner list, he carefully wrote down the name of the Edmund family.

He admired his handiwork, a satisfied smile crossing his face. "Now, Madison doesn’t need to marry that good-for-nothing Jack."

"Would there be anything else you would like me to help you with?" Sheila asked, seeing how satisfied he was. "There are still more files that you haven’t seen yet."

Shaking his head, Hector glanced at her. "If it’s about me changing the rules of the company, then there’s no need. The company was doing just fine before I arrived, so it's better to keep using the existing rules. If there’s a situation, I’ll make my decision then."

"Alright," Sheila replied.

Placing a hand on his chin, Hector glanced at the names on the Gold Level list. His brows rose, and he couldn’t help but wonder what Madison was doing.

Hours later...

Hector glanced at the time on his phone. It was 9 PM, time for the business party he had planned for. Turning around in front of the mirror, he sighed. He hadn’t gotten the chance to go back home after arriving at the company.

He had ended up reading the files to pass the time since the business party was happening in the company. From what he knew, the business party was an annual event when the partners would be announced. A smile crossed his face as he pondered what look Madison would have on her face when she realized they were the Gold Level partner of the company.

"President," Sheila called, stepping into the office, a file in hand. "The party started thirty minutes ago. Aren’t you attending?"

He turned around to look at her. "I am."

Her eyes scanned him from head to toe. "Dressed like that?" she questioned, gesturing to the outfit he was still wearing from earlier. "There will—"

"Don’t worry," he grinned. "I don’t intend to go as the president of the company. I also don’t intend to draw attention to myself."

She nodded, not feeling the need to pry. "Okay."

The business party was buzzing with guests, chatter filling the air as elegantly dressed attendees moved from one conversation to the next. Crystal chandeliers hung overhead, casting a warm glow over the room while servers weaved through the crowd with trays of champagne.

Madison stood amidst other members of the Edmund family, a glass in hand, her gaze glued to Julia, who was deep in conversation with Jack Jayden.

"Of course, it’s a pleasure for you to marry Madison. After all, she’s married to a useless man," Julia was saying. "You marrying her will be perfect for her. I’m sure she’ll appreciate that."

A frown crossed Madison’s face. She could tell Julia was mocking her again.

A delighted smile crossed Jack's face. "Of course, a beautiful woman like that deserves a wealthy man like me. It’s quite common knowledge. She’s lucky."

Madison turned her head, unwilling to listen anymore, but she could still hear them. Her eyes trailed toward the entrance of the party.

Although the party had started, the main event hadn’t begun yet. She couldn’t wait for it to be over so she could go home.

Home?

Blinking, the frown on her face deepened. She hadn’t heard from Hector since he left after she had caught him laughing and rejoicing over their impending divorce.

‘Had he gone to preorder the things he needed in advance for the $1 million he was going to collect?’

The mere thought made her sick.

‘Stop thinking about him,’ she told herself. ‘You still need to acquire the help the company needs. Hector is just a distraction.’

However, that distraction had almost made her believe he could help her and stop her marriage to Jack when he promised to give their family $20 million. Her frown deepened. How could she have almost fallen for that?

"Oh my. Madison will be such a great wife," Fiona mocked. "You know everyone wants to marry her. You’d better hurry up with the wedding."

Madison’s head snapped in the direction of the voice, but then quickly turned back when she noticed a familiar figure at the entrance.

"What is he doing here?" she murmured to herself.

It was Hector, scanning the room as if looking for someone. Their eyes met, and she flashed him a bright smile, which she immediately regretted. Her heart raced—if he came over, her family and Jack might hurt him.

Acting on impulse, she hurried toward him before the others could see him, but her movement caught the attention of Julia, who looked straight ahead to see what Madison was focused on. A mischievous grin crossed Julia’s face, and she chuckled.

The clown had arrived.