“Let him try it. At most, his true nature will last three days before he finds it too hard and regrets it himself.” Mrs. Carter finished speaking and realized how childish it sounded, laughing awkwardly.

Samuel Bennett simply avoided the topic and declined the black tea: “That’s too much, I can’t finish it.”

Mrs. Carter explained, “It’s two portions—one for you to keep, and one for your mother to try.”

Samuel Bennett’s expression shifted slightly, his gaze softening almost imperceptibly, and he finally took the bag. Just then, the car that had come to pick him up arrived, and he said his goodbyes and walked out.

In the garden, David Thompson was tired from playing ball. Without waiting for his own car, he directly instructed the Chu family’s driver to start a car, got in, and left without saying goodbye.

Samuel Bennett watched David Thompson leave, thinking to himself that the Chu family had relied on him for so long, and now they were bringing in an outsider to take charge. If Eric Carter knew this from the afterlife, how would he feel?

Behind him, Brian Carter had also witnessed everything, his gaze cold and sharp.

With a light cough, Brian Carter approached and said, “Mr. Xiang, let me see you off.”

As he stepped down the stairs, Samuel Bennett shook the gift bag in his hand: “To satisfy you, Mrs. Carter went to great lengths to send a gift. Truly, all parents’ hearts are the same.”

Brian Carter asked, “So did you agree?”

Samuel Bennett said, “If you want something, you have to come ask in person. That’s the only way to show sincerity.”

Brian Carter quickly moved to block Samuel Bennett’s path. Businessmen value profit above all; if there’s nothing to gain, even asking is useless. He said, “Mr. Xiang, do you think the people at Yisi will listen to you or to David Thompson?”

The sunlight was dazzling. Samuel Bennett squinted slightly. The handover was imminent; procedures were one thing, but people’s hearts were another. He still wasn’t sure which people at Yisi could be relied on and which could not.

Brian Carter had no shares, so no one feared him. But as a son of the Chu family, people would still give him some respect, which would make certain things much easier.

And for Brian Carter to secure a place under David Thompson, Henry Bennett’s support would undoubtedly be the best help.

Samuel Bennett didn’t like beating around the bush. He said, “Mutual benefit—but you have to be capable enough.”

Brian Carter knew Samuel Bennett was interested, and replied, “Why not give it a try? Let me do something for the family. After all, you won’t lose anything.”

Samuel Bennett said, “So you’re serious about this journey?”

Brian Carter gave a slight smile: “If I were just joking, I wouldn’t have come today.”

Samuel Bennett stared at him: “Are you trying to figure me out?”

“No.” Brian Carter had said all he needed to, and circled back to the start of the conversation, humbly admitting, “I’m asking for your help.”

Samuel Bennett’s gaze dropped to Brian Carter’s neck. The scrape on the side had completely healed, smooth and unmarked. His Adam’s apple didn’t move at all—it was hard to tell if he was tense or perfectly calm.

Brian Carter let him look, apparently the latter.

After a long moment, Samuel Bennett withdrew his gaze and said, “Monday at nine, come see me at Henry Bennett Communications.”

Chapter 5

Brian Carter watched the car drive out of the garden gate. Under the tire tracks lay a crushed clematis flower. He bent down to pick it up, clutching it in his palm as if seizing an opportunity.

He had first told David Thompson he was “willing to make amends” as a setup, and then brought up joining the company—his intentions were almost out in the open.

David Thompson surely understood, and had the authority to make arrangements. The Yisi executives and Mrs. Carter were all present; if he went along with it, Samuel Bennett wouldn’t embarrass him.

Brian Carter seized this moment, even openly seeking support, but he hadn’t expected David Thompson to play dumb and let Samuel Bennett decide.

This Uncle Thompson who always spoke of loyalty—just how “loyal” was he, really?

Brian Carter couldn’t be sure. Maybe he was just being paranoid. Fortunately, Samuel Bennett had agreed to let him join the company. There was plenty of time ahead; who was genuine and who was not would only become clear later.

Mrs. Carter was especially delighted: “It must be because I pleaded for you and moved him.”

Brian Carter smiled and said, “Mm, thank you, Mom.”

Mrs. Carter asked, “But what will you do at the company?”

Brian Carter had been studying during this period, and it just so happened that Alice Carter majored in computer science and had explained a lot to him. When he got tired of explaining, he tossed him some study materials and reference books.

At first, Brian Carter felt like he was listening to a fairy tale, half-believing the various functions. The first time he touched a computer, he nearly lost his composure, barely managing to keep from overreacting.

Even with hard work making up for lack of talent, in just a month he’d only scratched the surface. In a tech company, he was hardly qualified to show off.

He had studied at a business school abroad, but with his current identity, he couldn’t say so—and even if he did, no one would believe him.

So he decided to follow arrangements, even if it meant starting with menial tasks.

On Monday at nine in the morning, the driver took Brian Carter to Henry Bennett Communications.

It was the morning rush hour. The park gates were wide open, with cars, motorcycles, and bicycles pouring in. Quite a few employees were even riding hoverboards and skateboards to work.

To enter the office building, you had to show a work ID, so Brian Carter could only go to the visitor center. Before long, a capable-looking woman came to receive him. Her surname was Guan, and she was Samuel Bennett’s assistant.

“Sorry,” Assistant Green said with a perfect smile, “Mr. Xiang goes to Henry Bennett for meetings every Monday. He’s not in the office.”

Brian Carter asked, “Isn’t this Henry Bennett?”

Assistant Green replied, “Strictly speaking, this is Henry Bennett Communications—usually just called Henry Bennett for short. But there’s also an older Henry Bennett elsewhere. I’ll introduce you to it another time if you get the chance.”