As the snowball fight became more intense, Joseph was forced to join them as well. The snowball was
spread everywhere. And they began to throw the snowballs at others indiscriminately, making a
boisterous scene.
They did not stop the fight until Mark asked them to come home and have lunch several times. They all
flushed with excitement and followed Harrison to come home, giggling.
“Mark told me that Stella likes skiing, right?”
When they were having lunch, Harrison mentioned, “We may invest a ski resort in the suburb.”
Hearing that, Hayden was almost choked by her soup.
Harrison wanted to invest a ski resort just because Stella liked to ski. What if Stella wanted to see the
stars? Would he invest a space station? She thought perhaps she was not rich enough to plan all
these.
But Joseph was not surprised at all. He even nodded, “OK, it’s up to you.”
It snowed every year in Nanking. But the snow was not deep because the temperature in Nanking was
not frigid enough. There was no one who ever planned to invest a ski resort. Maybe it was a profitable
project.
Speaking of the investment, Harrison further mentioned, “It’s not up to me. You are the one who’s in
charge of the investment. I’m too old to start a new project.”
Hayden understood.
Harrison was trying to ask Joseph to work in ST Group by speaking of the investment.
“I have something else to do.” Joseph did not raise his head. He took a piece of chicken to Hayden,
answering casually, “I will consider that when I finish my job.”
“What else do you have to do?” Harrison started to lose his temper, “You’d rather work as a treasurer in
a mid-sized firm than a CEO in ST Group?”
Hayden was embarrassed hearing that.
She was running the Downey Group after all, and she was abashed that her company was despised.
Joseph felt she was embarrassed. He thought for a while and frowned, “It’s fine to be a treasurer for
me. I think it’s better than being suspended as a CEO.”
Harrison did not know how to respond that.
Harrison had suspected that Joseph was a villain, which triggered their argument. Joseph quitted
before he was suspended. But in essence, it was Harrison who forced him to quit.
Besides, Franklin became the CEO of ST Group later on. Joseph always disliked Franklin, so he was
more vexed being replaced by Franklin.
Seeing that Harrison was about to get angry, Hayden soon mediated in the dispute, “Joseph also wants
to work at ST Group again, but he does not get ready for now. Would you please do me a favor and
allow him to finish his job in the Downey Group before coming back to ST Group? I’m sure he will finish
his work in the Downey Group by the end of this year.”
She helped Harrison to find an excuse to make a concession.
Harrison faked a cough, “He ought to carry his job through to the end. We can discuss this a few
months later.”
Hayden knew Harrison worried about ST Group. Franklin turned out to be the villain and he was in
charge of the company. If Joseph did not replace Franklin as soon as early, Harrison feared that there
would be unpredictable consequences.
Although Joseph didn’t hurry to go back in ST Group, Harrison could not wait.
Perhaps, Joseph was born to turn against Harrison.
In order to lighten the mood, Hayden tried really hard to come up with a new topic, “By the way, Joseph
is not only busy at his job recently, he’s also preparing your birthday party next week.”
“Don’t make it extravagant.” Harrison waved his hand, “I’m not a fan of fancy party.”
“It’s your eightieth birthday, so we’re definitely preparing a lavish party for you. Mark said he had
received so many calls to ask about the party. And we have made a reservation in the restaurant. All
you need to do is show up. It’s no trouble at all.”
After much persuasion of Hayden, Harrison finally nodded in agreement.
Although Harrison said he did not want to hold a party, Hayden knew he was pleased actually. She
learnt form Mrs. Barnett that elders were always looking forward to being surrounded by their offspring
and expecting a noisy and lively scene.
Harrison thought for a second and asked, “Have you confirmed the guest list?”
Hayden looked at Joseph.
She was not familiar with all the relatives and friends of the Beckham family, so she did not help to
make the guest list. It was Joseph who decided whom to invite.
“Not yet.” Joseph raised his head. “I’m just about to ask Mark to make a guest list and send out the
invitations.”
There were so many relatives and friends of the Beckham family that he barely knew.
Harrison nodded and asked Hayden, “Hayden, why don’t you invite Mr. and Mrs. Barnett to come?”
Hayden was surprised and did not replied.
“It’s time to plan the wedding of you and Joseph. Stella said you did not get along well with your
relatives other than them.”
Harrison said bluntly, which made Hayden speechless. She looked into Joseph’s eyes and signaled
him to reply.
She began to wonder why Harrison mentioned their wedding suddenly.
“Harrison, there’s no rush. It’s not so easy to discuss the wedding with them.”
Harrison’s face took on a set expression. He looked at Hayden and said, “Mr. and Mrs. Barnett don’t
like the businessman, do they?”
Mr. Barnett was a politician. He had retired before, but he was recruited to Beijing lately. It seemed that
he might be promoted to a higher position. Given that Florence had been abandoned by Bentley, Mr.
Barnett might not believe in businessmen like the Beckham family.
In fact, it wasn’t unnecessary to have such concern. Hayden had asked Mrs. Barnett implicitly and
found she did not like Joseph indeed.
“I don’t know. But I think they don’t. Now it’s unlikely to marry someone according to the family
background.” Hayden smiled and tried to change the topic, “They will come over in the future.”
Harrison frowned with concern.
It seemed that it was not always so pleasant that Hayden had a distinguished background, Harrison
thought. He realized that there was a long way to go before their wedding. But he had expected
Joseph’s wedding for a long time.
Thinking of that, Harrison couldn’t resist sighing, “When I was in Joseph’s age, my two children had
finished the primary school.”
“Two children?” Hayden was surprised.
Harrison went blank for a while and felt bitter thinking of something, “Have a meal.”
Hayden blamed herself for bringing that up and regretted her rashness.
In the Maple Sugar Inn, the female boss had told her before that Rebekah was Harrison’s adopted
daughter. The two children Harrison mentioned were parents of Joseph.
Hayden reminded Harrison of his sore point.
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