Chapter 298 I Can’t Act Irresponsibly Towards Them

James was taken aback and went mute. His expression changed, and he could not say a word. “If you weren’t worried about the pressure of public opinion, I believe there would be even less of a problem for Sophia who has been through terrible criticism and defamation before. What do you think?” Charles asked casually. “….” James coughed drily. “Soph is only 20 years old and has never been involved with company management nor has she studied it. It would sure cause dissatisfaction among employees if she were to be appointed president out of nowhere.” Charles looked at him with a slight smile, not saying a thing. James lowered his eyes and continued with his meal, avoiding Charles’ stare. “I was appointed out of nowhere as well back then, but at least I had studied something that was related to the job and was my university’s top graduate. “Besides, Sterling is just a junior manager now. If I allow Soph to be president, Sterling would not be happy about it.” Bam! Sterling slammed his chopsticks down and stood up. “What are you doing? Why aren’t you taking your meal properly?” James frowned. Sterling’s palms were placed on the table as he turned to look at James. His body leaned forward slightly. “If you don’t want Soph to be president, just say so. Stop using me as an excuse, damn it!” James was infuriated. “You…” “I have no qualms about you giving the entire White Industries and the entire White household to Soph! Do you know how many people would envy me for doing nothing while being taken care of by my little sister?!” Sterling grunted and sat back in his seat. The look on James’ face changed for the worse, like a palette that had fallen and lost all the colors on it. Sophia continued her meal calmly. Even if her brother did not object, her father would never allow her to be president. He had just proven it… “The White family may hold a majority of the company’s shares, but White Industries does not belong to the White family… The company is the sweat and blood of my parents-in-law and it has other shareholders as well. I can’t act irresponsibly toward them!” Charles placed a few more pieces of food into Sophia’s bowl, acting as if he did not hear James. “Stop putting food into my bowl, I can’t finish all of it.” Sophia watched as the food piled up in her bowl and on her plate. She paused momentarily with her hand holding the chopsticks. James finally reacted when Charles continued with his silence. “I’m sorry, Charles, I can’t agree with this. If you’re unhappy with what your Aunt Fisher did and want to do something about it... Well, I’ll… I’ll just need to accept it.” Charles laughed lightly as he grabbed Sophia’s hand, playing with it. “What are you acting so nervous about? I didn’t say I wanted you to let Sophia be president. You were the one who mentioned it.” A questioning look appeared on James’ face. “What are you trying to say…” “Let me ask you this. You’re agreeable for Sophia to take any other position except the position of president, am I right?” Charles asked. James thought about this for quite a while. He was worried he would end up angering Charles if he gave another rejection. He clenched his teeth and replied, “Yes! Even if she is unable to take up the duty, I can arrange for someone to teach her!” Charles sealed the deal. “Good, then it’s decided. Sophia will be the assistant to the chief financial officer for a year and will later take over the role of the chief financial officer. As for getting someone to teach her, you don’t need to worry about it. I’ll teach her personally.” The financial department was an important department within the company. James looked quite unwilling to accept it, but in the end, he said nothing. He proceeded to make plans with Charles and decided that Sophia would start work the day after the next. After breakfast, Charles went off to work. Sophia walked him out as Charles wanted. James ran after them breathlessly. “Wait! Soph, your mom prepared some clothes for you. Go in and see if you like them.” Charles tidied his tie. “She can head in after I leave. It won’t make any difference with the time.” James glanced at Sophia as the expression on his face changed. In the end, he decided to be upfront. “Charles, you told me last night that Master Harris had an opinion of me. What is his opinion of me?” “Do you really want to know?” Charles lowered his eyes to look at him. A slight smile appeared on his face while the sun shone on him. His smile was filled with evil intentions. James hesitated but later decided firmly. “Tell me. I’d like to listen to his criticism in order to better myself.” Charles did not beat around the bush. “I’m afraid there’s no way of bettering yourself. My grandpa said that you’re as short-sighted as a rat and will never amount to much.” “!” James felt like he had just been struck by lightning. His face was ghastly pale, and he stiffened like a wooden post. He was unable to move at all. Short-sighted as a rat? Did this elderly senior really criticize him this way? Or was Charles lying to him on purpose? He had done a good job of expanding his business these two years, even developing quite a few industrial chains. Everyone had been singing his praises, but why did Master Harris say he was short-sighted as a rat?! Charles looked at James’ crestfallen face, and his lips twitched. He turned toward Sophia. “You should get some books from your sister-in-law to read on the topic. If there is anything you don’t understand, I’ll explain to you when I return tonight.” “Okay,” replied Sophia. Charles opened the car door and got in. Just as he was about to close the door, James suddenly lunged forward to grab hold of the door. “Charles, your grand…” “It’s almost time for work. If there’s anything to discuss, we can do it tonight.” Charles lifted his hand to read his watch. He did not even give James the opportunity to reject this suggestion and closed the door immediately. He started the car and drove off. James watched the car disappear from his line of view. There was a look of defeat on his face and some traces of anger. He turned to ask Sophia, “I’m as short-sighted as a rat? If I was short-sighted as a rat, how is White Industries doing better year after year? Tell me, is Master Harris jealous of me by being so critical of me?” “White Industries and Harris Corporation are miles apart in difference. Aren’t you thinking too highly of yourself by having this thought?” Sophia laughed sarcastically at him while heading back to the villa. James turned back to the direction of where Charles’ car had driven off. He slowly clenched his fists while thinking about something. By the time Sophia returned to the villa, Nicole was bringing the kids downstairs. She talked to Nicole about borrowing some books and Nicole agreed readily. “Mom is in your room. She looks like she isn’t in a good mood. Maybe you should take a look at her?” Nicole suggested. Sophia frowned slightly and nodded as she headed upstairs. The room door was half-open, and Jenny was sitting on the bed with her back facing the door. She was hugging a blue, fuzzy dolphin toy that Sophia used to love. Jenny did not move and looked like she was thinking about something. “Mom…” Sophia walked in and called out to her. Jenny was surprised by her and stood up quickly, throwing the dolphin onto the bed. She wiped the tears away from the corner of her eyes and explained hurriedly, “Soph, I was just sitting here for a little while and hugging your toy. I didn’t touch anything else in here. Please don’t be angry.” Sophia glanced at the dolphin on the bed. “… I’m not angry. I don’t like that toy anymore. If you like it, you can have it.” The veins on Jenny’s face seemed to fade from her face going pale when she heard Sophia’s words. “Do you not like it anymore because I hugged it? I’ll wash it for you later, or I can buy you an exact one. Please… Please don’t be angry!” Her tears were flowing down her face at the end of the sentence. Sophia looked at her tear-riddled face. She felt stifled and troubled over it. “I’m not angry. It’s just that I’m all grown up now. I don’t really like these fuzzy toys anymore.” Jenny wiped her tears, choking as she said, “I’m still treating you as a child when you’re already 20. You’re now acting like a grown-up… If I had believed you two years ago and you didn’t end up in prison, you would never be forced to grow up so quickly. It’s all my fault!” With that, she stood up immediately, only to fall kneeling on the ground. “Soph, it’s my fau…” “Mom…” A stunned look could be seen in Sophia’s eyes as she quickly tried to help Jenny up. Jenny shook her head. She was sobbing so badly that she was unable to say another word. She knelt on the ground determinedly. Sophia frowned and knelt opposite her on the floor.