Chapter 45
"Without the Smith family, I would be nothing?" It was laughable to hear those words from Marquelle. That line would be just as accurate applied to her. Although Ranquelle held a management position at the Smith Group, none of her subordinates respected her in the slightest. She possessed no business acumen. Gerald tried to teach her, but she found it bothersome and refused to learn. He even wanted to send her abroad for further training, but she threatened suicide. Instead, she chose to spend her time with Vernon.
I witnessed all these incidents firsthand. There wasn't a single exaggeration in my account of Raquelle's behavior. When her subordinates needed her signature on paperwork, she would ask me to sign for her because she couldn't even identify loopholes in the contracts. Whenever I was absent from the company, she'd become frantic at the slightest problem. She was the one who would truly be nothing without the Smith family. If she tried to get a job independently, with her empty-headed thinking, she would likely be fired within days.
Seeing my slight smile in response to her statement, Racquelle snapped. She pointed at me and shouted, “Why are you smiling? Are you mocking me?”
Just then, Gerald, who was walking ahead, turned around. He saw that Racquelle was about to slap me. With a face full of anger, he scolded, “Racquelle, what are you doing?”
Racquelle’s hand froze mid-air, and she turned back to Gerald with a forced, embarrassed smile. “Dad, I just saw a mosquito on his face, so I was trying to swat it away.” She shot me a threatening glance.
“Enough. You may act like this at home, and your brother will tolerate it, but we’re in public now. You and Joshua represent the Smith family. If others see this, what will they think? Do you have any sense of decorum left?”
Gerald hit the nail on the head, but Raquelle didn't heed his words. She pouted and stamped her foot in frustration. “Dad, that’s so unfair. You’re always taking Joshua’s side!”
With eyes brimming with tears, she angrily stamped her foot and spun to leave. “quelle, Racquelle Smith, get back here! You… ah, this useless daughter!”
Gerald looked utterly frustrated but helpless against his unreasonable daughter. “It’s all my fault for spoiling her,” he said, his tone full of helplessness and regret.
Just moments before, at the banquet, Gerald had admired Shane’s poise and confidence. She commanded attention and ran her company smoothly. Yet, all his own daughter knew how to do was undermine the family, recklessly alienating key corporate partners. Not only did she offend them, but she also sacrificed much of the Smith family’s advantage to please that worthless man. This entire situation was an unnecessary headache.
“Dad, is there something you wanted to discuss with me?” I asked, sensing Gerald’s thoughts.
“Yes, there’s something I’d like to go over with you.” Gerald smiled kindly, looking at me with affection. “Come, we’ll talk in the car.”
Once inside, he spoke in a heartfelt manner. “Josh, you’re not young anymore. It’s about time you start considering marriage. Is there anyone you’re interested in? I can help with the arrangements.”
I shook my head, smiling. “No, there isn’t.”
“No?” Gerald looked surprised. “How is that possible? What do you think of Shanice? She’s beautiful and has a strong business acumen.”
It turned out Gerald was planning to arrange a marriage alliance for me. Realizing his intention, I didn’t hold back. “I don’t like her.”
I had expected disappointment. Unexpectedly, his eyes lit up, and he smiled broadly. “That’s fine if you don’t like her. Then what do you think of Racquelle?”