Chapter 332 I Am Shameless
When Addison heard James could get Mary back in the CEO seat, she did a complete 180.
Suddenly, James was at the head of the table, with Addison piling his plate high and keeping his glass topped off. She even threw Melissa a bone, bumping her pay by $300.
Mary watched the whole scene, torn between laughing and rolling her eyes. It was probably the first time Addison had ever been so hyped about James.
"James, I just finished shooting the Bashful Flower commercial," Kaitlyn had come home for dinner today. Seeing James at the table, she immediately dropped her handbag and came over. "The director introduced me to a gig, a small role in a movie being shot in Los Angeles. The movie is called 'Los Angeles Eighteen Girls'. It's a multi-million dollar project. The pay isn't much, but it has a big market. Do you think I should take it?"
Kaitlyn blinked her eyes, waiting for James's response.
"Get out of here! What's so great about a small role in a movie?" Addison rudely pushed Kaitlyn aside. "Move along, I'm discussing serious matters with James. Go wash your hands and eat."
Kaitlyn rolled her eyes at Addison but didn't dare to argue with her. It wasn't out of fear but rather to avoid a never-ending scolding.
James smiled at Kaitlyn, signaling her to contact him via phone.
"James, you must make sure Miss Howard and the others only recognize Mary as the company's CEO," After shooing away her younger daughter, Addison immediately served James a large chicken leg. "Also, convince them that future collaborations could be worth $200 billion or $300 billion, making Mary's position unshakeable. Oh, and make them write a commitment that they can't fire Mary in ten years, or else they have to compensate her with $1 billion. And if possible, get them to give Mary some shares, 30% will do."
Addison kept making demands to James. "Mary has worked hard for TG Company for so long. Even if she hasn't achieved much, she's put in a lot of effort."
James didn't eat the large chicken leg but passed it to Mary. The more benefits he accepted from Addison now, the more she would demand later.
"Stay out of the company's affairs," Mary looked at her mother with dissatisfaction. "James and I know them better than you. We can't just divide up all the benefits at once."
Addison was relentless. "No matter what, we must get the shares. That way, even if you're fired, you'll still get dividends."
Charles couldn't help but speak up, "Just think of it, okay? If you ask for too much, Amanda will definitely burst into a rage. Don't be too greedy!"
"Shut up!" Addison scolded Charles without hesitation. "Greedy? I'm just taking back what's ours! And even if I am greedy, I'm nothing compared to you! If you hadn't been such a glutton back then, you wouldn't have crashed and burned. If I hadn't gone against everyone to marry you, you'd be lucky to have a roof over your head, let alone the family business we've got now! And you have the nerve to argue with me?"
Charles's face darkened, "Unbelievable."
James caught the flicker of resentment in Charles' eyes, even though he kept his mouth shut. His grip on the knives tightened—clearly, the whole Cloud Top Mountain mess still stung.
Meanwhile, Christopher and his wife stayed quiet, heads down, shoveling food like they were trying to disappear into their plates. They weren't about to get dragged into this drama.
James also stayed quiet, silently enjoying Melissa's cooking.
"James, as long as you help Mary become CEO again, I won't oppose your remarriage," Addison hesitated for a moment, then decided to offer James a sweet deal. "Of course, after you remarry, you need to transfer Peach Blossom No.1 to Mary."
Mary frowned, "Mom, what nonsense are you talking about? Can we just eat in peace?"
"A woman marries you, gives you her youth, bears your children, takes care of your parents, and serves you," Addison looked at James earnestly. "Mary has paid so much. Isn't it only right for you to give her a house and some security? Oh, and your bank cards should be kept by me! I'm not eying on your money, just to keep it safe as a trustee. Otherwise, if you spend it on other women, how will Mary live?"
Addison patted her forehead. "And JZL Medical Clinic should also be in Mary's name."
James laughed and said, "Except for what you just mentioned, I have $20 billion. Should I transfer it to pyou?"
Besides the assets of JZL Medical Clinic and the Howard family shares, James also had over $10 billion earned from jade and other gifts, so $20 billion wasn't an exaggeration.
Addison was initially stunned, then overjoyed, "Sure, hand it over to me. I'll keep it safe for you. But remember, we're family, so I won't offer you any interest. Of course, I won't charge you a storage fee either."
Addison knew James had made a lot of money in the past few months. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to open JZL Medical Clinic or live in Peach Blossom No.1, but she never expected it to be $20 billion.
With that amount, even the annual interest would be at least $500-600 million, which was far more enough to afford her lavish life.
Charles was exasperated. "Just stop talking and eat. Is it appropriate for you to manage James's money?"
"Why not?" Addison was increasingly eager to keep James's money. "As the son-in-law of the Smith Family, James's money is essentially Mary's money, and Mary's money is my money. And I'm not taking it—I'm just holding onto it for safekeeping, making sure Mary's secure."
Christopher and his wife sneered. If Addison got her hands on James' money, nobody could get a cent from her.
Charles couldn't hold back his anger anymore, and he fumed, "How can you be so shameless?"
"Shameless? Yes, I am shameless!" Addison sneered, "If I had any shame, I wouldn't have married you when you were at your lowest and given you three daughters! If I had any shame, I wouldn't have swiped my mom's cash to open CF Clinic and keep this family afloat! If I had any shame, I wouldn't have bawled my eyes out and threatened to off myself just to snag that villa from the Smiths! You, a washed-up outcast of the Smith family, keep up this front mostly because of my shamelessness! And no matter how shameless I am, I'm still miles better than your precious little darling!"
Her eyes turned sharp. "Charles, open your eyes and see who the real shameless person is and who truly cares for you!"
James and the others were shocked, all staring at Charles in disbelief, even Mary and the others hadn't expected Charles to have such a history of emotional betrayal.
"This meal is ruined!" Charles angrily threw down his utensils and headed upstairs.
As Addison sneered, a dull thud suddenly came from the doorway.
Charles's golden retriever was kicked inside, rolling and howling in pain in the hall.
Addison instantly stood up and shouted, "Who the hell kicked my dog?"
Charles also stopped in his tracks.
As soon as she finished speaking, a group of people appeared at the door. Eagle Lady and several haughty women made their entrance.
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