The Extraordinary Life of a Certain American Comic...

Chapter 117 The Reason Dad Forced Me (4/5, Please Subscribe)

Old Underwood resembled a conservative, old-fashioned white man.

After telling Locke in a low voice to come to the study now, he walked towards the stairs without looking back.

Esme glanced at Locke instinctively.

Locke was just about to speak.

Claire, the mother, affectionately took Esme's hand and led her towards the sofa: "This is how they've met ever since Locke graduated, don't worry."

Locke nodded to Esme, "My mother is right."

But you can't blame him for that.

It was old Underwood who started it.

Locke then gave Esme a reassuring look, before following old Underwood upstairs to the study at the end of the second-floor corridor.

Old Underwood had already opened the antique wine cabinet in his study.

"Bourbon?"

"Can."

Locke said something, then pulled out a chair in front of his desk and sat down.

Old Underwood poured two glasses of wine, sat down in his seat, and then handed one to Locke.

Locke accepted it and said thank you.

Old Underwood didn't speak. He took a sip of his drink, then set the glass aside, leaned back in his chair, and silently watched Locke.

Locke leaned back in his chair, resting his chin on his hand, meeting old Underwood's gaze.

Eyes facing each other.

It's clear that neither of them is willing to concede to the other.

after awhile.

Old Underwood withdrew his gaze and chuckled.

"Sentinel Security Service, New York Field Office, Deputy Chief of Operations, impressive."

"Thanks."

Locke accepted old Underwood's praise with a bright smile.

Do you believe you earned this through your own abilities?

"Of course not."

"oh."

Old Underwood looked at Locke with a half-smile: "So, what do you think you earned it by?"

Locke's expression remained unchanged: "Because my last name is Underwood."

No one really believes that America is a free country that only values ​​individual ability and doesn't care about personal relationships, where as long as you have the ability, you can get ahead.

No one would be that stupid.

Let me put it this way.

The only difference between the United States and that island nation that's living a comfortable life is that the former knows how to pull up a fig leaf.

Unlike that island nation, they don't even bother to put on a show.

An actor's son is an actor, a senator's son is a senator, and a banker's son is a banker.

The same applies to the federation.

The federal government simply used the banner of democracy as a screen in the locker room to prevent the public from seeing what was really going on behind the screen.

If Locke is just Locke.

Let me put it this way.

Even if he helped the Sentinel Special Service expand its authority, and even if he helped the Sentinel Special Service become the top law enforcement agency in the United States, he might be promoted, but he would definitely not be promoted to his current position as deputy director of operations.

The reason he's like this right now is 99% because he's done something good, and 1% because his surname is Underwood.

And it is precisely this one percent that is more useful than the other ninety-nine percent.

Locke was well aware of this.

so-.-

He did not shy away from the gaze of old Underwood: "I never shied away from the fact that my achievements were due to Underwood."

Old Underwood nodded upon hearing this.

next second.

"But you enjoy the convenience that Underwood brings, without ever thinking about taking on the responsibilities that Underwood should have taken on."

Now, let's get to the main topic.

Locke thought to himself, then smiled at old Underwood: "Which matter are you referring to?"

"It was when I graduated that you planned for me to work at a Wall Street financial consulting firm for a few years, and then go back to my hometown in South Carolina to run for city council."

"Are you referring to the matter from a year ago, when you planned to arrange a marriage between me and someone's daughter?"

Just as he just said.

The reason his relationship with old Underwood was so strained was entirely Underwood's fault.

Old Underwood snorted coldly.

"Yes, we have them all."

"Oh well."

Locke adjusted his posture, leaned slightly forward, looked at old Underwood, and held up one finger.

"Let's talk about graduation first. Whether you like it or not, I got into your and Mom's alma mater on my own merit."

""...-.yes.""

"During my time at school, I never used my Underwood identity to gain any advantage for myself."

For God's sake, he didn't even have a romantic relationship while he was at Harvard.

wrong.

I dated someone, but we broke up after a little over a year.

reason?

The other party disliked him for not being ambitious enough.

Locke agreed, after all, the biggest difference between him and the salted fish at that time was that he was alive.

Old Underwood thought about Locke's words for a moment and then nodded.

"That's right."

"That's where the problem comes in."

Locke looked at the nodding old Underwood, smiled, and spread his hands, saying, "First, I got into Harvard on my own merit; second..."

I didn't use my Underwood identity for anything while I was in school, so why should I follow your arrangements to go to Wall Street?

There is a reward for giving.

He never denied the advantages that the Underwood identity brought him, nor did he feel any sense of responsibility that came with it.

"Next, let's talk about the second matter, the marriage you want me to marry."

"To be honest, when you brought this up with me, I didn't think about refusing."

"Because my last name is Underwood, the better Underwood is, the better I will be."

"The reverse is also true."

"If Underwood falls into obscurity, I will fall into obscurity too."

"No one would be happier to see Underwood flourish than I am!"

There's a saying that goes something like this.

The only person in this world who cannot jump ship is the crown prince.

A common soldier can betray his country, since he works wherever he wants; a minister can betray his country, since he will still be granted a title in the future; even brothers and sisters can betray his country, stirring up trouble and the outcome is uncertain.

Even the emperor himself could turn against the regime.

But the crown prince was the only one who could not.

The prince here refers to Locke.

Whether he likes it or not, ever since he was born with the Underwood surname, he has been bound to Underwood.

Underwood was brilliant, and he followed suit.

With Underwood's downfall, he too could hardly remain unscathed.

so-.-

"At the time, I didn't object to your plan to arrange a marriage for me, and I was prepared to do my part."

Anyway, it's just a marriage alliance; it's just a matter of getting a certificate.

"but.

"Michelle Walker, you must be kidding me."

Locke chuckled as he recalled the marriage prospect Old Underwood had chosen for him, then said to Old Underwood, "Are you really not afraid that your grandfather will jump out of his grave and slap you?"

That Michelle Walker is the daughter of Garrett Walker, the former governor of Colorado and a leading candidate in next year's presidential election.

He's alright looking.

There's just one problem.

black!

Although the black isn't very obvious, it's still a faint black.

Garrett Walker's wife is African American, which is a major reason why he is a leading candidate for next year's presidential election.

Black and white is a color combination that conforms to mainstream and correct trends.

but-

What is the social class of the Underwood family?

Whether you count from Old Underwood's side or from Mother Claire's side, going back five or six generations, they were all staunchly white people.

Another point.

Their hometown, Underwood, is South Carolina, a state that used to be a slave state.

Agriculture is the mainstay of South Carolina, and cotton was their main product back then.

So what about the marriage partner that old Underwood found for him?

This is like making him marry a slave.

Good guy.

In the past, he would have been beaten to death by his neighbors, and no one would have stood up for him.

so--··-

It's not that I'm unwilling to take risks for the Underwood family, it's just that I can't afford to do so.

Locke shouted in his heart, and then, to prevent old Underwood from causing any more trouble, he directly got a marriage certificate with Esme.

Just as he told others.

My dad forced me to do it!

He wasn't exaggerating at all.

Old Underwood's face darkened when Locke exaggeratedly said, "Are you really not afraid that if Grandpa knew about this, he'd jump out of his grave and slap you?"

"That's swine fever!"

"You don't have it?"

Locke gave old Underwood a wary look: "Don't think I don't know why you always want to go to that old black man's barbecue place and talk to him. Is it because you like the food? I'm too embarrassed to call you out on it. Don't you treat that old black man like a servant and talk to him like a servant? A servant would never tell anyone, and even if they did, no one would believe it, right?"

Old Underwood's brow twitched.

"But I won't make it that obvious."

"Sorry, I'll only be twenty-six after this month."

"so what?"

"I was young and hot-blooded, and I couldn't do what you are doing now. Even if you curse me as a rebellious son in your heart, you just won't say it out loud."

"I don't!"

"look!"

Locke narrowed his eyes into slits as he looked at old Underwood: "I can't lie without blushing yet."

Old Underwood even paused for a moment.

Then·---

Locke could clearly feel that the temperature in the study had noticeably warmed up at that moment.

He blinked, looking at old Underwood, who was staring at him expressionlessly, his fists clenched, his gaze cold.

"Ahem, just kidding."

If old Underwood gets really angry during the holidays, that would be quite a show.

Locke thought to himself, then quickly coughed and changed the subject: "I really want to do my part for the Underwood family. After all, if I contribute, I can enjoy the benefits without feeling guilty. So, whatever you want to do, I promise I'll agree."

The temperature in Old Underwood dropped a little at that moment.

He frowned as he looked at the serious-looking Locke.

"real?"

"God is my witness."

"Don't go after Nick Fury!"

"Don't even think about it, he's dead. Even God can't save him, I'm telling you!"

1