America: My Time

Chapter 284 Personal Issues
Chapter 284 Personal Issues

“John, you need to be careful about your personal life. Don’t be too obvious about it, or you’ll be ostracized by high society. I know you don’t want to accept the family’s arrangements, and you don’t want an arranged marriage, but you can’t let yourself be excluded from high society. That would have a huge impact on your future image. Going with the flow is the safest option, and it’s also what all of high society can accept.” At this moment, John’s grandfather, Martin, couldn’t help but bring up John’s personal life again, expressing his dissatisfaction with the presence of the four beautiful women around him.

"Grandpa, I have given up my right to inherit the family business and have the right to choose freely. You shouldn't worry about my personal matters. I have my own ideas and goals, and I know what I'm doing!"

“John, how can you say that? Even though you have given up your inheritance rights, you still have to consider the family’s reputation. You can’t let your personal problems affect everyone in the family!” At this moment, John’s uncle couldn’t hold back and stood up to oppose John’s statement. In his opinion, as long as you are a member of the family, you should think about the family’s reputation.

“Uncle, that’s just your own idea, not mine. I have my own pursuits, and I don’t think my actions will affect the family’s reputation. I am who I am. If you insist on linking me with the family’s reputation, then I can only say you’re overthinking it. I will not accept such a statement, and I don’t want anyone to use my personal issues for personal gain. I don’t want any conflict with the family, so I hope the family will not interfere with my own affairs.”

As John said this, a faint sneer appeared on his face. It was clear that some people in the family were still unwilling to give up profiting from him and were still plotting various schemes, which John found extremely distasteful.

"Grandpa, if there's nothing else, I'll head out now. I haven't seen Grandma in so long, and I have so much to say to her!" At this moment, John completely ignored his uncle, because in his mind, perhaps his uncle had changed too, and had developed inappropriate thoughts. All of this was perhaps due to changes in the environment. After his battle with the Lehman Brothers, he had attracted a lot of unnecessary trouble, causing some members of the family to harbor inappropriate intentions again.

“Go ahead, it’s your life to decide. We won’t interfere too much, we’ll just give you some advice. Whether you accept it or not is up to you. After all, you’ve already given up your inheritance rights, so you shouldn’t be influenced by the family!” In contrast, John’s grandfather wasn’t too concerned about John’s reaction. In his opinion, John was still young, and time was the best way to decide everything. There was no need to rush into doing this or that.

Young people are impetuous and have their own opinions and ideas. Even family members shouldn't interfere too much, especially someone like John who has many interests at stake. One wrong move and John might have some bad thoughts.

After John left the meeting room, John's grandfather's expression hardened, and he said in a deep voice, "I don't care what you think or what your plans are, but I'm warning you not to interfere in John's life, and even more so, don't use your status as an elder to do this or that. Doing so will only make John more resentful. I don't want to see John driven away from the family because of your stupidity and greed. Do you understand?"

"But?"

"There aren't so many 'buts'. If you still insist on going your own way, you'll have to bear all the consequences yourself. Don't think that just because you're John's uncle, you can act recklessly. You've seen what happened to Lehman Brothers, and you've witnessed what happened today. Do you think you're capable of withstanding John's retaliation? Even Rockefeller and his ilk had to compromise. Do you think you're more capable than them? The family can do without an heir like you, but it cannot do without John. Tell those around you to stop making these kinds of underhanded moves. Don't think I don't know what you're doing, but I don't want to see a next time. Regarding John's personal matters, we can only offer suggestions, not interfere. That's the bottom line. Family rules cannot be broken, no one can."

The struggles within large families never cease, and the Bayard family is no exception. Some people, seeing John's frenzied expansion, have all sorts of ideas and make some inappropriate attempts, which are all wrong.

“Father, why don’t we mention the game world’s IPO and financing to John? Many people have been clamoring to get involved. We can’t just do nothing and keep turning a blind eye!”

"Their commotion is their own business and has nothing to do with us. If anyone has ideas, let them discuss them with John themselves, instead of us doing it. Even if I am the clan chief, I have no such responsibility or obligation. These guys are truly greedy to the extreme, scheming to take advantage of the younger generation. If they want to suffer John's retaliation, then let them. Our lineage will not do anything, understand?"

After leaving the meeting room, John saw his grandmother chatting with four beautiful women: Ye Qianwen, Zhong Chuhong, Naoko, and Akina. They seemed to be getting along very well, which relieved John. He knew that there were many inappropriate things about bringing four beautiful women with him, but fortunately, his grandmother didn't mind, and she approved of their behavior.

Of course, even just superficially accepting this was difficult, after all, this was the first time he had brought these beautiful women to appear in front of his grandmother.

"Finished talking? Don't overthink it, and don't worry about what the family members think. You are yourself, don't let them influence you. As long as you feel good, that's enough. Their opinions don't matter. You're not the heir to the family, so there's no need to care about their opinions. Come back and spend more time with me when you have time, so your old man doesn't have to hide in San Francisco all the time. Come home more often; old people always feel lonely!" That evening, many family members returned. John was speechless at their behavior. They all intentionally or unintentionally brought up the game world and his Hurricane Investment, which annoyed John. These guys weren't even that familiar with him, yet they all thought they could get something out of him.

"John, you're something else! It hasn't been long, and you've already achieved this status and ability. You even brought Lehman Brothers down, forcing them to admit defeat. Now you're one of the giants of Wall Street. Any ideas?" John's cousin, Annie, said with a smile.

“Annie, I remember you studied management, not finance. What’s gotten into Wall Street?”

“It’s not that I’m interested, but your reputation has been so great lately. Even I, someone outside the financial industry, know the name Hurricane Investment and that you, little guy, took down Lehman Brothers. You know, quite a few people in your family are talking about this, and they’re all very interested in your Hurricane Investment.”

"What they think is beyond my control. We're not on the same wavelength, we can't get along, and we can't communicate. But Annie, if I remember correctly, you graduated this year. Have you found a job yet?"

"Why are you saying all this? Do you want to find me a good job?"

"If you have this idea, I have no objection. You can make your own choice. I'm really short-staffed!"

John does have a slight shortage of management personnel, but it's not a big deal. Headhunting firms can easily find professional managers he's satisfied with, and many family members have also made such suggestions. Unfortunately, those guys aren't very capable; they all just want to take money from him for free, which John is not willing to accept.

"John, which company do you want me to work for?"

"It depends on your choice. Southern Company, Forever Group, Bentley, Global Online, or Legendary Entertainment and Phoenix Group are all fine, as are Game World, Nvidia, and Dream World!"

"Forget it, I won't hold you back. My abilities aren't enough to work for a company like yours!"

"You're wrong to think that way. Even if you join the company, you can't rise to the top overnight. It just means you'll have more opportunities than others. Think it over carefully, and let me know when you've made a decision. To be honest, I'd love for you to come and help me. Southern Company and Nvidia are both good options."

John had said everything he needed to say. As for his cousin Annie's choice, that was beyond her control. He had given her the opportunity; whether she could seize it was up to her. John ignored Annie and turned to leave, leaving her to think it over.
John had barely left when some of the younger members of the family came chattering incessantly in front of Anne, all looking on with envy. After all, Anne was the first member of the family to receive John's invitation, so how could these guys not be envious? They longed to gain John's 'approval'.

However, many of the younger generation in the family are only focused on the game world. The reason is simple: they all know that the game world is about to be launched, so they all want to join the game world to get shares and make a fortune. It's a sure thing, but unfortunately, their dreams have all been shattered. John will not give them such an opportunity. He will not let these guys harm the game world, nor will he let the family members interfere in the affairs of the game world.

(End of this chapter)