Chapter 7

Lady Johnson sat at the head of a long mahogany table, surrounded by her grandkids, and spouses.

"Welcome, everyone," Lady Johnson said with a nod. Her expression was unreadable, a mask of polished perfection.

"Thank you all for coming on such short notice."

They all nodded respectfully. "Thank you for having us, Lady Johnson."

The room grew hushed as Lady Johnson began to speak. "As you all know, Blackwood Architecture Corporation has suggested a $4 billion project. And we, the Johnsons, have been waiting for an opportunity to advance farther up the elite status pyramid in Beverly Hills.

The opportunity is finally here. This endeavor is enormously important to our family's legacy and the future of Johnson Company.”

Lady Johnson paused, scanning the room for comments from her assembled family members. "If we tender a project, it will be a great opportunity for us all," she said later. "You all know we haven't been able to work with the elite before, but now that they have a new chairman, it's the perfect time to impress him and secure our position among the elite in the future."

Her remarks hung in the air, met with blank stares and a lack of passion. Despite Lady Johnson's enthusiasm, the rest of the room was unresponsive.

Lady Johnson sighed in exasperation and raised her voice significantly. "This is a golden opportunity!" We need someone daring enough to present this proposal to Blackwood Corporation and secure the contract. "Who will step up?"

Silence. Nobody moved. The room was filled with uneasy looks and averted gazes. Lady Johnson's face reddened with anger and disappointment.

“Are you all just going to sit down?" She demanded. "We are discussing our future! Why are you all mute? Do none of you have any faith in taking a small piece of cake from the four-billion-dollar project?

Everyone exchanged apprehensive glances, but none dared to speak. The silence was terrible.

Lady Johnson was becoming increasingly upset. She tightened her teeth and hissed, "You all listen to me. Whoever can obtain this contract from the Blackwood firm will be appointed Vice CEO of our company."

Everyone dropped their mouths to the floor, as if an explosion had gone off in the room. The weight of Lady Johnson's offer hung in the air, thick with anxiety and suspense.

Lady Johnson managed the family and the firm with an iron hand, hence she never appointed a vice CEO to the corporation. A vice would wield considerable influence, and in most cases, only the company's prospective successor would be qualified to hold this post.

Now that she had used the position as a reward, she must have hoped that someone would accept the job with such a generous offer. She was very excited about this idea.

Although the offer was incredibly rich and tempting, it was a difficult assignment to do. Striking an agreement with Blackwood Architected Corporation on a regular project was difficult enough; Talking about this massive one was another degree of difficulty.

Even if Lady Johnson went there directly to present the plan, the executives would not see her, let alone discuss a partnership.

The chamber was quiet as she gazed around, eventually focusing on her favorite grandchild, Aden. "Aden, I'd like you to handle this project. I trust you to do a good job and secure the contract."

Andrew nearly laughed at Lady Johnson's comment, but he controlled himself.

Aden gave a sour laugh and regretfully declined the offer. "Grandma, even the prominent Steven Enterprises has been kicked out of the Blackwood empire by the new chairman." How can I go there to seal the deal? They won't give me an interview in the first place."

Lady Johnson's face was distorted with wrath. "Rubbish! How dare you deny yourself before you try? You're more hopeless than Andrew right now!"

Lady Johnson, for her part, was sceptical of the concept. But, as the family's leader, she couldn't afford to exhibit any signs of weakness. Despite being at the second tier of the elite pyramid, She aspired to be an A-list elite and regarded this initiative as a means of achieving that goal.

However, no one was eager to take the job. She was so disappointed that she yelled at everyone, calling them losers. "Do none of you feel like giving a trial?

The silence was oppressive. They knew they might fail even before they started the interview, and if that happened, they would be subjected to humiliation. To avoid being ridiculed as they all do to Andrew, it would be better to turn down Lady Johnson's offer.

Andrew sensed his opportunity as the tension rose. He gently nudged Clara. "Go on darling," he muttered. "Raise your hand." "You can do it."

Clara hesitated, her heart racing. But, seeing her husband's determination, she took a deep breath and lifted her hand. "I'll go," she responded calmly, despite her nerves.

Clara's announcement struck a ripple through the room, leaving everyone stunned and silent. What began as amazement gradually transformed into incredulity, then ridicule.

They all thought Clara must be losing her mind due to the offer Lady Johnson had stated.

Clara thought the worst that could happen to her if she failed was to stand under the limelight and be humiliated and ridiculed as they always did.

Aden was the first to break the silence, laughing mockingly. “Clara, are you serious? Do you really think you can handle this? Do you believe that getting a deal with Blackwood Architect Corporation is child’s play?”

Sarah joined in, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Who do you think you are? Do you really believe you have what it takes to win a deal with Blackwood Architect Corporation? Don’t embarrass us any further, Clara.”

Daniel smirked. “This is going to be entertaining. I can’t wait to see you fail. Anyway, Sarah is right—don’t let our family become a laughingstock in Beverly Hills if you get kicked out of Blackwood Architect Corporation.”

Clara felt the sting of their remarks but stood her ground. Andrew stood beside her, his expression calm and confident. Her position in the family had deteriorated since she married Andrew three years ago. Not only did the family members disregard her and push her and her husband away, but they also mocked her parents.

Clara believed that if she could obtain a contract with Blackwood Architect Corporation, it would strengthen her standing in the family and, more significantly, allow her parents to stand tall and proud of who they were.

Despite the caustic comments and condemnation, she was tempted to abandon her seemingly foolish notion. She scowled at Andrew, frustrated, wondering how he had enchanted her and why she had listened to him. She shouldn't have made such a ridiculous request in the first place.