CHAPTER 158: CHAPTER 158: ETHAN PICKS UP SUMMERS AFTER SCHOOL

Team building.

All the department employees were present, and everyone was laughing and joking.

"President Larson, come have a drink. You’re about to become Vice President, so you must look out for us in the future."

Eric Larson sat in the main seat, and everyone was flattering him.

"Oh, don’t say that. I’m not worthy of the position." Eric Larson spoke with a smile, his face full of hypocrisy.

"President Larson not worthy? If that’s the case, we all might as well leave the company." A few people chimed in, and everyone laughed.

"President Larson, we’ve all heard that you’re the only choice for the future Vice President. Firstly, the Chairman favors you. Secondly, we all support you. Thirdly, Mr. Grant is also wary of you now. If you’re not the Vice President, who else has the capability?"

"Exactly, if the Vice President’s position comes up and it’s not yours, we’ll all protest."

"We can’t have that. I definitely haven’t incited the company employees to make trouble." Eric Larson smiled and raised his hand to signal for everyone to be quiet.

With so much support from these people, he felt even more secure in his mind.

Outside the door, Ethan Grant walked in with Yvette Aston and Christopher Carter.

Everyone looked at Ethan Grant in surprise. "Mr. Grant? You actually came to the team-building event in person."

"Oh my God, are we seeing this right? Is that really Mr. Grant?"

"It’s truly Mr. Grant. Why did he come in person? Is it regarding President Larson’s promotion to Vice President?"

"Looks like it’s a done deal, just waiting for the official announcement."

"Everyone, quiet down. Mr. Grant wants to say a few words before he leaves." Christopher Carter stepped forward, signaling for everyone to quiet down.

But no one listened to Christopher Carter; the scene was still chaotic as everyone whispered amongst themselves.

Ethan Grant, however, remained unfazed, showing his usual indifference and an unreadable calmness.

"Everyone be quiet!" Eric Larson stood up and walked over, speaking with a deeply meaningful smile. "Mr. Grant, please speak."

As soon as Eric Larson opened his mouth, the department employees all quieted down.

It was clear that they didn’t give face to Christopher Carter, the CEO’s assistant, but they showed respect to their project manager.

Eric Larson was quite satisfied; this could also be seen as giving Ethan Grant a show of power.

He had been with the company for a long time and naturally understood that making the leaders wary was beneficial for advancing one’s work.

This way, he could manipulate Ethan Grant.

No matter how capable Ethan Grant might be, he was just a young junior. What he needed to do now was to build connections, not to confront him head-on.

"The investment department was very dedicated to this project. Everyone worked hard." Ethan Grant spoke in a deep voice, casting a cold glance at Eric Larson.

He couldn’t stand the look of small-minded people getting their way.

But Yvette Aston urged him to bear with it, so he reluctantly praised him. "President Larson has always been someone I learn from. Let’s have some one-on-one time when you get a chance."

Eric Larson’s smile was almost blinding. "Mr. Grant, you’re too kind. This is the result of everyone’s hard work."

Eric Larson was a sly old fox who knew that certain honors must be shared with everyone to be more intimidating.

After all, if a headhunter came to poach him, leaving by himself and taking away an entire department team are completely different scenarios.

"Enjoy yourselves, I have other matters to attend to." Ethan Grant turned and left, not wanting to stay a moment longer.

After leaving the hotel, Ethan Grant had a sullen atmosphere around him.

Yvette Aston cautiously followed behind, her heart pounding with uncertainty.

Ethan Grant had made an exception for her...

"Giving him face, damn it!" Christopher Carter cursed as soon as he got into the car, disgusted by Eric Larson’s sycophantic demeanor.

"Back to the Grant Family house," Ethan Grant said in a low voice.

Yvette Aston leaned nervously against the car door, sneaking a glance at Ethan Grant.

Going to the Grant Family house... meant facing Jayden Grant, Melody Crowe, Arthur Grant, and Chelsea Grant.

Ethan Grant kept a stern face the whole time, not saying a word.

He merely held Yvette Aston’s hand silently, signaling her not to be afraid.

Yvette Aston nervously looked at Christopher Carter, praying he wouldn’t notice.

But Ethan Grant seemed entirely unconcerned about whether Chris would notice or not, even perhaps intentionally wanting him to see.

Fortunately, Christopher Carter was focused on driving and never looked back in the rearview mirror.

...

Hotel.

After Ethan Grant and Yvette Aston left, Eric Larson took the excuse of going to the bathroom to call Melody Crowe in a quiet corner. "Madam, it’s me, yes, yes, exactly."

"Yes, you guessed right. Ethan Grant came to see me. There’s obvious intent to win me over, clearly cautious of me."

"Then congratulations in advance, Vice President Larson." Melody Crowe spoke with a deep meaning.

"Oh, Madam, if it weren’t for your promotion, how could I be where I am today? Don’t worry, no matter what Ethan Grant does, I’m your man. Just one word from you..." Eric Larson nodded and bowed over the phone.

"It’s good you remember. People should be grateful." Melody Crowe reminded with a smile.

"Madam, rest assured, I’m not that kind of person. I’ll always remember your kindness. Back then, when my family had troubles, if it weren’t for you, I never could have made it through." Eric Larson reiterated with a smile. "Rest assured, I’ll continue to follow up with the Chairman. Once the time is right, Young Master Jayden will certainly be the true ruler of Grant Group in the future."

"Very good, leave the matters ahead to you then."

Melody Crowe had great faith in Eric Larson.

Eric Larson was indeed a vital piece she had arranged with care.

Eric Larson as a pawn was Melody Crowe’s trump card.

As long as Eric Larson successfully took the Vice President position, she would have half of Grant Group’s world secured for Jayden Grant.

At that point, no matter how capable Ethan Grant is, so what? Without the manpower to execute, his position as CEO would eventually crumble.

...

Kindergarten.

"Mr. Grant, Eric Larson is Melody Crowe’s confidant and also someone Mr. Grant trusts, are you... sure about letting Yvette make mischief like this?" Yvette Aston went to pick up Summers, while Christopher Carter anxiously looked back at Ethan Grant. "Mr. Grant, you allowed him to form cliques and factions, did you see today’s people, what kind of faces were those? Anyone would think Eric Larson is the CEO."

"I’ve used so much effort and still couldn’t get rid of Eric Larson, can Yvette do it?" Christopher Carter was still worried.

Even if Yvette is capable, Mr. Grant’s trust in her seemed a bit hasty.

"So you should look in the mirror," Ethan Grant snorted.

"No, I..." Christopher Carter was anxious. "I’m just worried, Eric Larson is Melody Crowe’s trump card."

"Then you should open your eyes wide and watch closely."

Christopher Carter got out of the car in a huff to open the car door for Ethan Grant.

Just as Ethan Grant was about to get out, they heard a provocation from a kid at the school gate.

"Summers, no dad! No one comes on Parents’ Day!"

"Summers, a wild child!"

"A nobody’s wild child!"

Stephen Sinclair led the bullying, teasing Summers with a song for not having a dad.

Since being scared by Michelle, Stephen Sinclair didn’t dare to physically bully Summers anymore, so he switched to verbal attacks.

Summers, carrying her little backpack, spoke angrily. "I have a dad!"

"Liar, where’s your dad?" Other kids mocked Summers.

"Yeah, liar."

Summers’ eyes reddened, clenching her small fists, not speaking.

"Summers."

Ethan Grant got out of the car, walked to Yvette Aston’s side, and called out to Summers.

"Daddy!" Summers’ eyes instantly lit up, excitedly running over and jumped into Ethan Grant’s arms.

Stephen Sinclair paused, then hesitantly stepped back, afraid.

The thing he feared most was his uncle Ethan.

"Stephen Sinclair, why are you running?" Ethan Grant said in a deep voice, his tone sounded as though he was about to eat the child...