Chapter 49

While I was grateful for Denald’s support and the way he had fulfilled his role as a father figure, gratitude was one thing, and the condition was another. I had fulfilled the duties I was bound to fulfill. As for what remained, it wasn’t something that could be forced.

Racquelle’s expression shifted slightly. Before he could speak, she sneered, gluing her gaze on me with, “Joshua, it seems like you do know your place. You’re right. You have no qualification to be the vice chairman, nor any right to those shared…”

“You’ve nothing more than a dog of the Smith family. Do you think you’re family now, after acting like a dog for so long? Let me tell you, you’ll never be worthy!”

I looked at her calmly, suddenly finding the situation amusing. She finally couldn’t hold back any longer. Even in front of Gerald, she was openly hurling insults at me without restraint.

Everyone around was dumbfounded. Though they had seen her disrespect me in private, it was the first time they had witnessed her outright point at me and verbally lash out.

This worked out well. Even if it meant being humiliated, at least Gerald would clearly understand that there was no possibility between Racquelle and me.

Sure enough, Gerald was visibly furious at her words. His expression turned stern, and he scolded her sharply, “Racquelle, what nonsense are you spouting? This decision was made by the board. As the chairman of the company, do I really need your permission?”

With that, he turned back to me, smiling warmly. “Josh, promoting you to the vice chairman shows our trust in you. Don’t let this weigh on you. Just go forward and do your best. I will always be your strongest support. If there’s anything you’re unhappy with, come straight to me.”

The board members dared not go against Gerald, nor did they genuinely want to see someone like Racquelle in a leadership position. Given her temperament, if she became vice chairman, she would ruin every partnership on day one, just to please that pretty boy of hers.

People came to work here to make money, not to do charity. Unless they intended to quit, they would naturally choose to support me. Seeing that I had no way to refuse, I could only nod.

This scene infuriated Racquelle. She pointed at me, cursing, “Joshua, so you were just pretending, weren’t you? Didn’t you just say you weren’t suited for this? Your true colors are showing! What a hypocrite you are!”

She continued to point at me and hurl insults. Beside her, Gerald’s face darkened as he snapped and yelled, “Silence! Barbelle, don’t you have any sense of respect as a younger sibling?”

This time, Racquelle was truly angry. No matter how dissatisfied she was with me, she didn’t dare to say another word.

After the meeting, I saw her storming to Gerald’s office, fuming. Before long, I could hear angry arguments echoing from inside. Not long after, she emerged, tears streaming down her face.

Gerald, showing her no sympathy, immediately ordered staff to move her things to the supervisor’s office. Then, he had my belongings moved from the storage room to the vice chairman’s office.

He called me in and spoke earnestly. “Josh, it’s your abilities I value the most. All these years, I’ve seen every bit of the contribution you’ve made to the Smith family. So, I hope you can shoulder the future of the Smith family.”

I nodded. Now that he made it clear, I had no choice but to accept. In a month, when I leave, I would hand over all the shares and responsibilities. I had no intention of taking a single penny from the Smith family, nor would I give Racquelle another chance to humiliate me.