Chapter 154 Stolen by Smith Group

Vincent remained silent for a long time, it seemed as though he was trying to figure out how to cause trouble for Kate. She was aware that he didn't come to see her just to notify her that Samuel had taken over as president. She wondered if he knew about her relationship with Joseph, but she was not going to say anything until he did.

"Joseph is excellent. His only disadvantage is that he likes to rebel against what I say," Vincent finally said.

Kate smiled awkwardly, "Chairman Smith, I would prefer that you don't mention Joseph in front of me, we are no longer married."

It was obvious to Kate, that Vincent had a bone to pick with Joseph and wanted to get her thoughts. Therefore, she tried to avoid the subject so that she could not be taken advantage of and cause more trouble for Joseph.

"But I heard that you were at my house and that he took you home," Vincent said as if he was accusing Kate of lying. His sharp eyes glared at her as she responded.

Kate replied calmly, "You should know that I have a great relationship with Cassie. Even though she is not my mother-in-law, I still regard her as my family. I went there to see her and Noelle."

Vincent frowned and asked again, "Then, please explain the rumors that you and Joseph are dating?"

Sensing the interrogative tactics Vincent was using, Kate was sure he didn't have confirmation. She smiled and shook her head, "The rumors are just rumors, and cannot be taken seriously. Besides, I was the one who broke off our relationship, why would I get back together with him?"

Kate wondered if Vincent was asking because Smith Group stole the new project she was working on.

"That is fine. Otherwise, there might be trouble for your company," Vincent warned.

"Chairman Smith, Joseph is also your grandson. Isn't it a little unkind for you to exclude him as you did?" Kate asked cautiously, showing no hint of defending Joseph.

Vincent sighed coldly, "He doesn't regard me as his grandpa. Why regard him as my grandson?"

After seeing Vincent's anger, Kate thought it was best to change the subject, "You just stated that as long as I am not with Joseph, you will not cause trouble for me. You should not take our projects for either public or personal reasons. However, you are still doing it!"

"I did that as a reminder not to fight against me or Smith Group," Vincent smirked.

"Rich and powerful men always speak so confidently, but it's a bit much," Kate was no longer holding back her fury, "Even if Joseph and I were back together, it does not mean that you can dominate the business world!"

"Mr. Smith, you have no respect for me!" Kate snapped.

"Okay, I didn't know that you were so talented!" Vincent nodded.

When Kate didn't respond to his sarcasm, Vincent said, "Don't think that Joseph can steal attention from Smith Group by standing on his own. Even if he has the ability to start over, it will be ten or twenty years before he can be as successful as Smith Group. If he thinks he will make it now, he is far too confident."

Cassie had always tried to explain how affection worked in the Smith family but Kate never understood until that moment. It appeared as if it was important but when it came down to business, the family was nothing. Joseph had been raised by Vincent to take over as a future successor from the moment he was born.

He had done the same to Joseph as he had done to his father, Erick, but he was even more unfortunate. Erick was the eldest son at home, therefore all of the attention was focused on him. Because of Vincent's dominance, Erick did not have his own opinion and was afraid of voicing his thoughts. When Smith Group was not living up to its potential, Vincent put pressure on Erick, causing him to feel less and less confident. Before Erick died, his only wish was that Joseph would be the one to achieve Vincent's wish of growing Smith Group.

Erick had a terrific personality and supported Joseph's hobbies, they were more like friends than father and son. The heartache Joseph felt when his father passed away was overwhelming, he became depressed then went overseas to try and escape from the pain. Even though Joseph wasn't interested in Smith Group, he still came back to fulfill his father's last wish. Just as his father expected, Joseph helped Smith Group become one of the main companies in the business industry.

Vincent was very happy with the results and became even more partial to Erick's family, which left his other son, Brian, extremely dissatisfied. Brian immediately sent his son, Samuel, away to further his education, in hopes that he could one day be capable enough to defeat Joseph.

If Joseph hadn't been so disobedient toward Vincent, Samuel wouldn't be working at Smith Group at all, let alone in the position of president. Being unable to control Joseph and his ideas, Vincent removed him but the company could still develop, just not at the rate it would have with Joseph as president. Vincent looked at Joseph as if he was a thief.

Kate smiled reluctantly and replied, "Since you know Joseph is unable to have a stable career outside of Smith Group, why don't you just be generous and support him starting on his own?"

"I also don't want to make him uncomfortable. He insists on fighting against me so, I must let him learn and then he will realize how good it was at Smith Group!" Vincent said stubbornly as if the entire situation was Joseph's fault.

There was no point in trying to continue talking to Vincent. Kate knew that no matter what she said, Vincent would not change his mind. She smiled and politely said, "Is there anything else we need to talk about? If not, I will have my assistant show you to the door."

"Obviously, you are trying to get rid of me!" Vincent snarled, "Even though you are not Joseph's wife, I am your elder. You will not have good luck in the business field treating me this way."

"Thank you for the advice," Kate said calmly.

"You…" Vincent mumbled as he stomped out of the conference room.