America 1982-Chapter 436 - 65: Pests and Righteous People
Tommy was skeptical about whether his father-in-law would really act as Sean said, brokering a deal with Warner, convincing him to allow Warner to take advantage of holding shares in his production company. He did have some understanding of his father-in-law. Although the two of them had some dirt on each other’s personal lives, they still regarded one another as family members worthy of trust, with ties that couldn’t be completely cut.
As Tommy indulged in warm fantasies about his father-in-law, a call from the man himself arrived, asking him to attend a party in New York that he had organized, to meet an old friend from the film industry.
In contrast to the enthusiastic and extravagant gatherings in California, New York’s upper-class society was much more conservative, always cloaked in glittering grandeur and impeccable manners. Tommy had always disliked living in New York for this reason. Just imagine, introducing a friend to his son-in-law, yet making a serious affair out of it, choosing a place where even prostitutes would need to wear designer labels to blend in.
In California, such pretentious formalities were completely unnecessary. Look at Jason, when he first introduced the South Korean girl to Tommy, it was on a sunny beach teeming with people, where everyone made honest acquaintances just with a blanket.
In the members-only Morgan Private Club in New York, Julian Farrell and Tommy embraced briefly before he introduced the middle-aged man beside him: "Herbert Siegel, Chairman and CEO of Clark Industries."
Tommy turned his gaze toward the man: tall with light brown short hair, Herbert’s attire was more casual than that of the suit-clad Julian, wearing a black silk shirt, pants that looked affordable to the average worker but were actually high-end custom-made work pants, a silver necklace around his neck, chewing on a cigar.
Whether it was the title or the outfit, it made this middle-aged man, not much different in age from his father-in-law, seem less like a movie mogul and more like a traditional industry worker.
"The fiancé—or should I say, boyfriend—of Odelia, this jerk hasn’t even proposed to my precious daughter yet," Julian patted his son-in-law’s back as he introduced Tommy to Herbert.
The man named Herbert removed the cigar from his mouth: "So, it’s this SSD jerk who has captured the heart of that little angel Odelia? As a member of the Phoenix Society, you actually tolerate an SSD jerk becoming part of your family? I knew it, Julian. Do you remember what I said back in college when you landed your wife? It was definitely an SSD plot, your wife was an SSD undercover agent sent into the Phoenix Society. Otherwise... with a face uglier than a burnt pizza, there’s no way you could have gotten the most beautiful girl there. Now the truth has come out; SSD has completely infiltrated the families of Phoenix Society alumni."
"I’ll pass that comment on to your brother-in-law, who is twenty-two years younger than you, Herbert. When you married the sister of an SSD student four years ago, I sincerely wished you well," Julian said with a smile.
Herbert extended his hand to Tommy: "Hello, kid. Your father-in-law’s introduction wasn’t quite accurate. Indeed, I am the Chairman of Clark Industries, but I have another title, Vice Chairman of Warner’s Board of Directors and Warner’s largest shareholder. Uh, that includes the CNN Group; I hold these two titles as well."
Tommy had heard from his father-in-law about the renowned Clark Industries, a publicly traded company with astonishing revenue and a low profile, its operations spanning everything from car interiors to shipbuilding, from distilling to medical supplies, as well as oil, natural gas, insulation materials, and even television business and software development. In short, wherever there was money to be made, the company was there.
The company owned several innovative shipbuilding patents that allowed Julian’s marine business to maintain a patent licensing collaboration with them.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Siegel, Tommy, Tommy Hawk, just a minor character learning the ropes of business behind my father-in-law," Tommy replied, shaking hands with Herbert, his words polite and modest.
The three men walked into the dining room, already prepared, where the waiter helped them to their chairs. As Herbert sat down, he began, "In my opinion, Julian is definitely not as excellent as you. If you insist on learning business from him, my advice is, don’t waste your time, directly donate two-thirds of your assets, and then you will have achieved business excellence just like your father-in-law."
Tommy glanced at his father-in-law, who was handing tips to the waiters and sending them away, Herbert’s words clearly equated to his father-in-law already informing him about his rough financial situation. This signified that Herbert Siegel’s relationship with Julian was not simply summarized by the word friend, as his father-in-law was not the upstanding man like his own father, who couldn’t wait to boast to the whole neighborhood about his son’s wealth.
"Mr. Siegel doesn’t seem to be as close to you as you told me," Tommy commented after sitting down, straightening his napkin, addressing his father-in-law: "I can hear that he’s insulting you. Just give the word, my father-in-law, and my bodyguard Mr. Page is right outside."
Julian expressed a warm and proud sigh, looking at Herbert: "My dear child Tommy, you’ve moved me."
