Chapter 18 It’s for Your Own Good

The call that Jade had received in the meeting room earlier had been from her mother, Catherine Nance-Odell, who had urged her to return home.

The moment Jade opened the door, Catherine hurried up to her and spoke urgently, “Jade, your Uncle Matthew’s here to ask you to get married again…”

“I know, mom. You told me on the phone. Don’t worry.”

Soothing Catherine, Jade entered the living room and was greeted by Matthew Odell who was sitting on the couch, smoking with one leg crossed over the other.

“Uncle Matthew, according to the agreement I’ve made with the family, there’s still two months before the end of the quarter. What are you trying to do by coming to our house and forcing me to get married?”

Matthew frowned instantly. “What do you mean forcing you to get married? Am I doing that? This is for your own good. I’m doing this for my niece’s sake!

“My elder brother passed away early and left the two of you all alone. I want to find you good in-laws so both of you mother and daughter will have good support and a safety net to fall back on. Is that so wrong of me?”

After the man questioned Jade, he turned to Catherine.

“You too, sis-in-law. Look at how you’ve spoiled Jade. She does what she wants without caring for the family’s best interest or her own wellbeing, fighting back and insisting to prove herself. Why is there any need to prove herself?

“People say that a spoiled child is the result of their parents’ doing. Brother has passed on. As her mother, are you going to bear the responsibility of failing to educate your child?”

Catherine was quick to nod timidly at Matthew’s berating. “It’s my fault, it’s my fault…”

Catherine had come from the countryside. Jade’s father had married her despite his family’s prohibition back then. Without any education, ability, or background, Catherine had to swallow her pride the day she was married into the Odells and had always acted like a meek servant whenever she was facing the family.

Back when Jade’s father was still around, he had protected her. Now that Jade’s father was gone, she had only grown meeker and could only bow even lower.

“Mom!” Jade was exasperated at her mother’s weak spine. “You’re his elder sister-in-law. Why are you bowing down to him?”

Jade then raised her voice at Matthew. “This is your elder sister-in-law! You should at least respect that rank. Is this how you should be talking to her?”

Jade never backed down from a confrontation and was a stark contrast to Catherine.

“And don’t think I don’t know what you and your people are up to!

“Odello Corp. wants to get listed and grandfather wants to get it done legitimately. But since he had fallen ill, you guys are trying to take the shortcut and are trying to force me to get married to pander to that b*stard from the Dunhams because he likes me. You’re hoping to gain support from the Dunhams.

“Don’t think that you can hide something so obvious from me. I’m not a fool!”

With his plan exposed, Matthew was enraged by the embarrassment. He threw the remaining half of his cigarette on the floor and cursed.

“Bullsh*t! If I really wanted to force you, do you think you could still fight for that so-called chance to prove yourself?”

Jade scoffed audibly at Matthew’s attempt to defend himself. “Uncle Matthew, save yourself some pride. If it weren't for the old men in the corporation supporting me due to my deceased father, would you have spared me the chance?”

With everything out in the open, Matthew felt like he had been slapped in the face. Seeing as he could no longer hide the truth, he decided to divert the topic.

“I’m not here for your nonsense. You whine about proving yourself, so what have you proved? How useless you are?

“I sent someone over to check yesterday. It’s been half a month and that tire company basically achieved nothing under your management. There’s no accomplishment nor result. If this is your ability, I’d suggest you put on the wedding dress and get married straight away.

“Get yourself married and become Dunham’s daughter-in-law, then help Odello Corp. get listed. This will be the biggest achievement you could accomplish as a woman!”

Jade snorted. “You sent someone to check on me yesterday? Why didn’t you send them again today?

“Sorry to disappoint you, Uncle Matthew. I just got a big order. It’s more than enough to fill up one-third of the loss within our agreed time. Give me another half a year and I could turn Beacon Tires’ losses into profits with this order alone!

“Didn’t you ask what I’ve proved? This is what I’m proving—my ability!”

Matthew was stunned by Jade’s retort. He had come today to force Jade to let the agreement go and get married soon due to the information he had received yesterday, not expecting that there would be a turn of events today. Jade had gotten herself a big order.

As for the results of the agreed three months, the man did not doubt Jade at all. It was just that…had Jade really filled up one-third of the loss when so many people had been powerless when it came to this pathetic tire company that was close to bankruptcy?

While Matthew was still at a loss for words, Jade questioned, “What else do you have to say?”

Gaping and stammering, Matthew’s embarrassment got the better of him and he slammed the table angrily.

“Watch your tone! I’m your uncle! How dare you speak to me like this?! I’ll also have you know that you won’t last long in business over a stroke of luck! You’re not built for the business world. Just get married! That’s the right choice for you!”

With that, Matthew got up to leave without giving Jade a chance to fight back.

After sending the man off with a forced smile, Catherine went back to Jade and persuaded her softly, “Jade, why don’t you just get married? The man’s family is well to do and we’ll have a good life. You should just stop fighting them…”

“Mom!” Jade was incredulous. “If you don’t support me, fine. But why would you side with the outsiders?!”

Catherine muttered softly with a lowered head, “It’s for your own good.”

Her own good again. Everyone who asked her to get married said the same thing, that it was for her own good.

Indignant, Jade was about to argue with Catherine that she ought to give her freedom and not interfere with her life if she really cared about her own good, but once she saw how meek the woman was, she felt bad for her mother.

“Alright, Mom, stop fretting. We don’t have to depend on others. Trust me, I can do it…”

After placating Catherine, Jade left and drove back to the office. All the way there, she sulked until she recalled the shock Matthew had been in when she threw the accomplishment in his face. For that, she was grateful to Javier for what he did. Otherwise, she would not have been able to stand tall and proud today.

Driving into the company parking lot, Jade ran into Javier who had just got back after taking care of his personal affair. When she saw the brand new Mercedes G63, she went around the car, clicking her tongue as she went.

“Mr. Kersey, looks like you won quite a big lottery huh? I don’t think it’s just 2 million dollars.”

Javier chuckled and replied perfunctorily before asking, “So, when are we carrying out the additional clause, Ms. Odell?”

Jade clammed up immediately. Forget about where Javier’s money came from, forget about how Javier got the business deal. The additional term she had personally added was her Achilles’ heel. Any poke or prod at it felt horrible.

The woman diverted the topic swiftly. “A big company’s preparing to call for tender. It’d be wonderful if we can get it. They’re publishing the invitation and proposal this afternoon so I’ll be going there to check it out instead of going into the office.”

With that, Jade turned to leave but Javier caught her arm. She thought that she was doomed. The man would not try to force himself on her, would he? She was then greeted with the sight of the keys to the Mercedes. Javier pushed them toward her as he spoke, “Take this car. Your appearance represents the company’s capability to some extent.”

Thinking that he was right, Jade did not refuse the offer. She exchanged the key to her Volkswagen Passat with Javier and left with his new car.

Walking into the building, Javier headed back to his office. Just as the doors opened, he spotted a young man who was barely 20 years old sitting in his chair. The latter had both his legs propped up on Javier’s desk as he toyed with his phone leisurely.

With a tilt of the head and a side-eye at Javier, the young man made a waving gesture. “Javier Kersey, is it? No need to stand there while you attend to me. I’m not big on formalities. Sit down!”