The Tycoon Son-in-law

Ch 8

The moment Drex stepped into Nolan’s office, Nolan rushed forward and pulled him into a tight hug, relief flashing across his exhausted face.

“Thanks for coming,” Nolan said, voice strained. “I really can’t handle this alone anymore.”

Drex patted his back bruefky before pulling away.

His eyes were calm, unreadable as he asked, “Do you trust me?”

Nolan hesitated for half a second, then nodded. “Of course I do.”

Drex gave a small nod and glanced around the room.

All eight employees were present. Some avoided his gaze, their faces heavy with pity and guilt. Others looked resigned, already halfway gone. Then there was Trent, standing a little straighter than the rest, lips curved in satisfaction, as if he had front-row seats to a tragedy he helped create.

Trent was the department manager. The backbone of Ace Corporation. If he left, nearly all of their clients and contracts would follow.

“I’ll start,” Trent said coolly, stepping forward. He placed a letter on the desk. “Here’s my resignation.”

Nolan’s shoulders sagged and without even opening it, he signed the paper.

Then his voice came out hoarse. “Anyone else?”

At that, resignation letters were passed forward one after another.

All except one.

A young man, no more than twenty-five, remained frozen in place, gripping his file tightly.

Nolan signed every letter placed before him and there was no anger left in his expression, only acceptance.

Then Trent let out a short laugh.

“Congratulations in advance,” he said smugly. “Ace Corporation won’t survive this. Bankruptcy is just around the corner.”

Drex shifted, leaning lazily against the desk.

He tilted his head and looked Trent up and down, then scoffed. “Trent Carlson, right? You worked under Nolan’s father for over five years, and under Nolan himself for two more. I don’t recall hearing a single complaint about how you were treated.”

Nolan straightened suddenly, bitterness flashing in his eyes. “We never mistreated him. When his mother fell ill, I personally paid over a hundred thousand for her treatment. He never returned a single cent.”

Trent’s expression darkened, but he quickly composed himself.

“I didn’t force you to help,” he said flatly. “You offered. A gift is a gift. Legally, you have no right to demand it back. I owe you nothing.”

Drex sneered in open contempt.

“Is that so?” he said slowly. “Then tell me, Trent. How much did they buy you for?”

He lifted his chin slightly, gesturing toward the office next door.

Trent’s smile widened, smug and self-satisfied.

“A base salary of two thousand,” he replied. “And ten percent commission on every sale. Far more generous than this place ever was.”

Nolan’s brows knit tightly, his jaw clenching.

Drex turned to look at the only person who did not hand in his resignation letter.

"Joe,” he said calmly. “What about you?”

After pondering for a moment, Jonah Howard replied, "I’m not leaving. If you want me gone, you’ll have to fire me.”

Nolan’s eyes immediately reddened and his voice trembled. “You mean that?”

Trent scoffed loudly.

“How pathetic,” he sneered, throwing Jonah a look full of disgust as he stood up. “Let’s go. There’s no future here. Mirage Corporation is waiting.”

Drex folded his arms casually. "Joe, good choice. Because of your unwavering commitment to Ace Corportation, you can continue to stay here.”

The room fell into confused silence.

Drex continued, “Effective immediately, you’re promoted to department manager. Your monthly salary will be thirty thousand. In addition, you’ll receive thirty percent of the company’s shares.”

For a brief second, the room was frozen.

Then Trent and the others burst out laughing.

Trent wiped imaginary tears from his eyes.“Nolan, where did you find this clown?” he mocked. “He doesn’t own the company, yet he’s throwing around shares and salaries like he’s drunk on fantasy.”

Nolan didn't say anything, even though he was confused, but he knew Drex never said things he wasn't sure of and it intrigued him.

Trent wasn’t finished.

He looked Drex up and down, his smile turning cruel.

“Aren’t you the live-in son-in-law of the Ellington family?” he said coldly. “A grown man living off his wife’s family. An embarrassment to your gender. Someone like you probably struggles to scrape together five hundred, yet you’re here pretending to play tycoon.”

He let out a short, contemptuous laugh.

“And thirty percent of Ace Corporation?” he continued. “What’s that worth after today? Once we walk out, this company won’t land a single contract. So tell me, who exactly are you trying to deceive with that thirty-thousand salary?”

Drex said nothing.

He only looked at Trent, his gaze sharp, distant, and utterly devoid of warmth.

A few seconds later, Trent stormed out first, the others trailing close behind him like obedient shadows.

At the doorway, he stopped abruptly.

Turning back, he raised his hand and brazenly flipped Nolan and Drex off before spitting on the floor.

“Ace Corporation?” he scoffed loudly. “What a joke. With leadership this pathetic, it deserves a better name. Mediocre Corporation fits it perfectly.”

Laughter erupted behind him as the group followed him out.

Nolan let out a heavy sigh, his shoulders sagging as if all the strength had been drained from him.

Outside, the general manager of Mirage Corporation was already waiting.

Galvin Gallagher was a chubby man with a perpetually smug expression, his expensive suit doing little to hide the complacency of someone who had never worried about losing.

The moment he spotted Trent, his face lit up.

“Mr. Carlson,” Galvin said warmly, stepping forward and extending his hand. “Welcome.”

Trent straightened immediately, his arrogance melting into eagerness as he clasped Galvin’s hand.

“The pleasure is mine, Mr. Gallagher. Joining Mirage is an honor. As for Nolan,” he added with a sneer, “that man is nothing but dead weight. A useless fool who was never fit to run a company.”

Drex and Nolan stepped out just in time to witness the exchange. The moment Drex’s eyes landed on Galvin and Trent standing together, the contempt in his gaze deepened, sharp enough to chill the air.

Galvin clapped his hands lightly. “Alright, everyone. Come out.”

At his signal, several figures emerged from inside the Mirage office. One after another, they lined up neatly along the corridor, their expressions serious and restrained.

The sudden sight made Trent pause and his smugness faltered.

“What’s this about?” he asked, frowning.

Galvin smiled, though there was something stiff about it.

“Mirage Corporation has just been acquired,” he explained. “The new owner is… extraordinary. I’ve heard he has ties to Mr. Knight and Mr. Marc.”