The Rise of the Useless Son-in-Law

Chapter 5: Just Some Petty Cash

The next morning, Jason brought Susan to Macro Vision Group, where brisk professionals exuded elite astuteness.

Three businesses thrived in Emerald City - real estate, jewelry, and medicinal herbs. 

Located in the central region, Emerald City's flat fertile land was perfect for cultivating herbs. That was the core of Brown Group's enterprise.

The contract Susan aimed to sign was for sales. Brown Group had massive stock, and Macro Vision had the top distribution channels. It would be a powerful alliance.

The Browns could then dominate the market, becoming the biggest herb supplier in Emerald City. This deal would elevate their status significantly.

Many companies desperately wanted this contract, offering tempting conditions. Susan had no confidence the Browns had any edge to secure it. Was success really possible?

"Jason, are you...sure I can?" Susan asked uncertainly, biting her lip.

Jason smiled reassuringly. "Trust me, Macro Vision's boss is my friend. You definitely can. I'll wait for your good news."

Bolstered by his unwavering confidence, Susan steeled herself and entered the building. 

In the lobby, a dazzling sapphire necklace was displayed on a large screen - beautiful, shimmering and translucent.

No woman could resist such jewelery, but the price made Susan stop longing.

She sighed, even with a successful contract, it would take long saving to afford that.

Jason took in the scene, his gaze also settling on the sapphire.

It was exquisite indeed. 

Three years married, yet nothing given to her? Would she like that necklace?

He contemplated it for a while, indifferent to the ensuing string of digits - millions in dollars, mere numbers to him.

After some deliberation, he suddenly took out his phone, dialing a number untouched for three years.

A startled, trembling voice instantly responded. "K-King? Is that you?"

"It's me." Jason said calmly.

Hearing the familiar voice, the other seemed wild with elation. "My King, after three long years, you finally grace us with your presence again! I'll come get you right away!"

But Jason shook his head serenely. "No rush. I need you for something else - send a bank card here, faster the better."

"Understood!" The man readily agreed.

After giving the address, Jason hung up.

The man was Matthew Wilson. In Emerald City, few knew that name.

But in jewelry circles, who hadn't heard of the legendary Matthew Wilson - helmsman of the titanic Sky Wing Commerce, with its global chain Sky Wing Jewelry?

Yet unknown to all was the true master behind this commercial empire - Jason Gray!

Built to prove his might to the Grays, this hidden business kingdom served only to reclaim what was rightfully his.

...

"Hello, I have an appointment with sales director Mr. Anderson to discuss a contract." 

Susan stood awkwardly at the Macro Vision front desk.

When Susan first received Mr. Anderson's business card, she was astounded to realize he shared a name with Margaret's suitor. Yet, the similarity ended there. One was a mere trickster, while the other was the genuine magnate of the Macro Vision Group. Despite their identical names, the disparity between them was as monumental as that between an elephant and an ant.

"You must be Miss Susan from Brown Group?" A receptionist came over. "Please follow me."

She was brought up by express elevator to the 26th floor sales department, outside a corner office.

About to knock, Susan glimpsed a familiar figure inside - Robert Brown?

Why was he in Mr. Anderson's office? Wasn't she handling this sales contract? Could they have...

A flurry of uneasy speculations crossed her mind, but she had to secure this contract today, no matter what.

Knocking, she heard a middle-aged male voice call, "Come in!"

"Mr. Anderson, I'm Susan Brown from Brown Group. We had an appointment to discuss the sales contract."

Susan was very deferential, knowing how crucial this deal was for Brown Group. For Macro Vision, it mattered little who they signed with or minor profits gained.

"Oh Miss Susan. Please wait a moment, I'm discussing something with Robert." Without even standing to greet her, Christopher Anderson continued chatting with Robert.

"By the way, our conversation is rather confidential for you to overhear. Please wait outside the door."

"Mr. Anderson, I scheduled this time with you yesterday..." Faced with such blatant humiliation, Susan had no recourse but groveling acquiescence.

Until now ignoring Susan, Christopher Anderson's formerly jovial expression chilled. "Can you not understand? I said wait outside!"

Without sparing her dignity, his words pierced Susan's heart. She desperately wanted to just leave, but thinking of her Southside Branch and Jason's faith in her, she swallowed the humiliation.

"Of course Mr. Anderson. Please call me back in when you are done."

After waiting half an hour outside, it wasn't Christopher who emerged, but Robert Brown.

"Susan, you're still here? I'm heading back first then. Bye!"

Seeing her, Robert casually flaunted the documents in his hand - what looked like a contract.

With a careless wave, he left Susan staring after him, clutching the contract.

Watching Robert's retreating back with that contract, Susan despaired. Mr. Anderson signed the sales contract with Robert?

...

Outside Macro Vision Group, Jason saw a Rolls Royce race over.

It screeched to a halt, and a sweating man jumped out, rushing over to Jason.

He held out an elegant black card deferentially. "Someone asked me to give this to you."

"How much is in this card?" Jason raised a brow.

The man replied, "Just some petty cash - not much. A hundred billion dollars!"

He quickly sped off again without a ripple.

Just as Jason pocketed the card, Susan emerged from Macro Vision, eyes swollen and breathing ragged.

"What happened? Overjoyed from signing the contract?" 

At Jason's words, Susan's eyes brimmed with tears. Heartbreak and resentment flashed through her as she slapped Jason hard.

Biting her lip in anguish she cried, "I shouldn't have believed you! Failed, it's all over..."

Jason was stunned by the slap, looking at Susan in dismay. "What...what's going on? The contract wasn't signed?"

Susan shook her head in pain and regret. What friend? How could she be so foolish to trust Jason Gray?

Not only had she failed to secure the contract, she had been utterly humiliated - marching right into their scorn like some country bumpkin oblivious to her place.

She now wished only to vanish into the earth. Ignoring Jason's questions, Susan fled in tears.

Jason's heart twisted. His expression chilled as he dialed a number...

At Macro Vision Group, sales head Christopher Anderson sipped premium coffee, gloating to Robert on the phone, "Susan Brown came, but I rejected her."

"You can't imagine her shame and despair under my taunts - she was nearly in tears begging me. Quite the beauty - to be honest, if not for our contract, I might have been swayed."

"Rest assured, as long as I'm at Macro Vision, we'll never cooperate with Susan Brown. Don't forget your profit share and the ruby pendant you promised..."