That night, Vincent and John agreed to a partnership. They shook hands to seal a new friendship and buried the unpleasant encounter they had in the past. John promised to convince his dad to stop working for Samuel Miller, so Vincent now believes that John is only working on his own accord.
Liam has many companies that are not under his name. John wondered if Samuel is now taking advantage of it as he was the one who works for these companies' legal papers.
"It looks like you guys came to an agreement, at last…"
Vincent and John turned their heads toward the person who spoke. Mitchelle approached them and stood close to John.
"Did we meet before?" asked Mitchelle.
"A common friend introduced us to each other, but that was years ago," John replied to Mitchelle.
"I see. So, things are going well then?" Mitchelle is looking at Vincent when he says this. The guy nodded at him. "Then we should have a toast to that."
Mitchelle grabbed a Chardonnay and poured his glass with the red wine, followed by John and Vincent's glasses.
"Why don't you join us?" Mitchelle called the other three men outside.
Pitt, Alex, and Brent Morris approached them and joined the toast. After filling their glasses with the vintage wine, the six men clinked their glasses.
*
Jackson Villa?
"Are you out of your mind?" Chairman Gideon shouted at his son after John told him about the partnership he made with Vincent.
"Actually, dad. My brain works well."
Gideon Jackson wanted to slap his son. Now John is giving him a serious problem. He is planning to cut partnership with Liam Huo. So it means Samuel Miller would become displeased to hear it.
"Do you know what happened to Mills Enterprise?" Gideon asked his son.
The other day, the Mills Enterprise suddenly declared bankruptcy. But Gideon knew very well about their crisis. Chairman Mills rejected Samuel Miller's partnership, and with only a snap of his finger, the Mills reached their end.
Gideon would not allow that to happen. 'This son of mine is not thinking at all!' But he is actually feeling strange. John seemed relaxed hearing this.
John bitterly smiled as he looked at his dad. He knew that his favorite son was his twin brother. All these years, he did everything to make him proud. Still, his dad was all over the moon when Jay came and lived with them again.
Now, his dad still does not believe in his capability. Instead, he would criticize him if he found an opportunity.
'You don't recognize my accomplishment nor show to me I am your son as well.' John sneered in his heart. 'From here on, I will take over the company and kick you out soon.'
John thought his father would continue being unfair to him. He is better at his own, and the best step he must do is no longer rely on his father's decision.
Thinking all of that, John pursed his lips into a cunning smile. Gideon felt his son was emanating a strange aura.
"What's wrong?" He cannot wait for his son to share his thoughts. Gideon had hinted his impatience to hear.
"You seem to haven't heard yet. Mills Enterprise is now a subsidiary company of Davies Corporation."
"What did you say?" Gideon was shocked to learn the fresh news.
"It was not in the news yet. But it was Davies who bought Mills Enterprise."
"How did you know?" As a chairman of the company, he seems behind on the latest news.
"Of course, the Davies Corp CEO told me." John shrugged a shoulder as he answered nonchalantly.
"Jacob? And when you have a pleasant talk with him? Jacob knows now that we are taking the side of Liam." There was a glare in Gideon's eyes when he queried his son.
John curled his lips as he could see the shock on his father's face. 'You are not the only one who can get a strong backup, dad.'
Although John's heart is filled with bitterness that up to now, his father has no confidence in him getting a great ally. He was enjoying annoying him now.
"Uncle Jacob is already stepping down on the seat."
"What? Are you saying that his son-in-law is officially the CEO?" Gideon was stunned to hear the news.
"You heard me right, dad. Vincent Shen is the new CEO of Davies Corporation. It was Vincent's move as well to save Mills Enterprise." John pressed his mouth, not to let out his laugh after seeing his dad's pupils want to jump out from the sockets because of shock.
Gideon hurls a long breath. He was pondering whether Samuel Miller knew about this already.
"I need to tell Samuel about..." Gideon picked up his phone on the table. However, his son stopped him.
"Dad! I told you we were no longer Samuel's puppet." John quickly stopped his father. He is sick of following someone, especially people like Samuel Miller.
"Are you certain that you are going to fight against Liam Huo?" Gideon bellowed. He could not believe that Vincent Shen had successfully brainwashed his son!
"I am not fighting against Liam, but freeing from Samuel Miller. And if you plan to be a puppet by that man. Go ahead, dad. However, you cannot bring down the J Group." John firmly told his dad.
"What do you mean by that? I am the chairman! How dare you threaten me! Do you think you have more power than me?"
"But you can't do it when J Group is sinking," John smirked, which annoyed his dad. Determination exhibits in his eyes that he would fight his dad if they only disagreed with the plan in his mind.
"Is that how much confidence Vincent Shen gives you? Huh! Don't you think he is using you as well?"
"At least Vincent is better than Samuel Miller. What can Liam do? Where is he now? Do you still believe there is a way out for him? Who is in the massive advantage? Is it Vincent Shen?" John questioned his dad, who found it hard to retort or make a counter statement.
At that moment, John knew he won in this argument. He picked the teacup and sipped on it. His eyes filled with pride, staring back at his father.
'I don't need your recognition, dad. But I will show you that no one can manage the group other than me.' John was on his train of thoughts when his dad's phone rang.
Gideon froze in his chair when the caller ID belonged to Samuel Miller.
"Hello? Director Miller?"
"Is your son out of his mind?"
Gideon wiped the beads of cold sweat that formed on his forehead. It made him wonder. How did he know John had a good relationship with Vincent Shen?
He guessed Samuel wanted to confirm whether it was true. But he does not know that the lawyer is talking about something else.
"How dare your son email me a letter that J Group no longer needs Huo Holding's assistance!?"
Gideon Jackson wished for the floor to swallow him and hide from Samuel Miller's wrath. He didn't know that his son had made a move already behind his back.
'You piece of sh*t!' Glaring at his son, Gideon cursed his son repeatedly inside his head. He was at a loss for words, also lost how he could put good words in Samuel Miller's good book that now his son ruined everything he worked hard for.
"It seemed like you only took for granted my warning to you, Chairman Jackson."
Gideon was on the edge of his seat. That threat sure gives a chill down on his spine. Before he could open his mouth, the call had hung up.
Gideon gritted his teeth at the tension he felt from that call. He rubs his forehead and tries to calm his shaking nerves.
"Look at what you've done! You know what Director Miller can do to us?"
John didn't feel threatened at all. That is what Gideon sees in his son's sullen face. While he almost peed his pants, his son only enjoyed his tea!
Gideon could not sleep, even with just one wink. He was restless in his bed, which irritates his second wife. But she could not complain and bear it when the bed bounced every time her husband turned on his side.
The following morning, news broke out that authorities were searching one of the J Group warehouses at the T Country branch for possible smuggling products stored in the place.
At that moment, government officials run an investigation and question the branch office supervisors.
"Now, what are you going to do?" Gideon shouted at his son.
Remain silent in his chair; John is only minding eating his breakfast. He ignored his dad but enjoyed the sumptuous food.
Gideon was on his wits that his son didn't care at all. If they lose the T Country branch, it will bring a massive loss to their company.
"Did you hear me, John?" He was infuriated by how stubborn his son was.
John rolled his eyes. Listening further to his dad continues bellowing at him finally, losing his appetite.
John pulled out his phone and dialed a particular contact. Gideon didn't leave his eyes and watched his son's every move.
"Hey, Rob! Are you in the country?"
At the other line, the person replied, "Yeah. I'm in the company. Are you coming?"
"Yup. I'm on my way to the airport."
"Alright. See you later, then? Are you treating me to a meal?" Joke by the man from the other line.
"Sure!" John pursed his lips into a smile. Not long, he hung up the call and resumed having his meal.
"Who did you call?" Gideon asked curiously. He wondered if that person was John's friend and could help them solve the problem. At first, he thought John would call Vincent for help as he was too proud last night, announcing his partnership with that man.
"Rob Dawson," John answered his dad with a cold tone in his voice.
This 𝓬ontent is taken from f(r)eeweb(n)ovel.𝒄𝒐𝙢