Jed chuckled throatily. He drained the second cup of champagne and raised it at Drake. "Cheers."A servant passing by collected the empty cup. "Mr Jetti!" A well-known tech magnate who walked up to Jed and Drake."Good evening Mr Powell," He greeted Drake politely but his eyes were on Jed. He stretched out a palm for a handshake."Congratulations on your latest feat, Mr Jetti."Jed humbly accepted the handshake and he was soon whisked away. Drake's expression didn't look good as he watched several CEOs surround Jed.He stepped aside and called someone. "Check the current stats of the board and report back to me."He was feeling so uneasy as he waited for a response. He doesn't understand what Jed was driving at earlier but he knows it isn't something good."Sir," The recipient of his call finally spoke up. "This is not good."Drake's expression darkened. "What's wrong?""Sir, I have sent the current stats to your mail. Check it out." The call was then ended in a hurry as the person fe
The guests around soon began to mumble and this matter reached the ears of the old madam sitting on a golden chair with gifts around her.Mr Powell and Mrs Powell didn't have a good expression but they came forward and defended Jed, after all he is one of the Jetti's."I'm sure you must have gotten it wrong. Young master Jetti won't come to my mother's party without a gift. Besides, he is our specially invited guest so show some respect."After Mr Powell spoke, people didn't dare murmur so loudly anymore but they had already been stirred by Drake Powell so how could they back down?"Grandma, here, I got this for you," A young man stepped forward with his family.A servant was carrying a basket that contained jewelry that spilled out as soon as she dropped the basket.What actually caught people's attention was the beautiful pink stone among the jewelry.Isn't that one of the most expensive rings in the world? They looked at this family in amazement.Only Jed noticed the little frown i
Ben snuck upstairs when he saw that people were distracted with giving their gifts to the old madam.Even Lily had asked him to accompany her to her room earlier to get her own gift but because he was suspicious she might try something funny, he refused.He told her he would just wait for her to get back with the gifts and then they could go together to the old madam.Lily readily agreed because she thought appearing together in front of the old madam will surely give away some hint and Ben won't be able to back out.He got to the first floor successfully unaware his mother had begun to seek his whereabouts as she wanted him to accompany her to pay respects to the old madam.Ben opened the rooms one after the other but aside from staring at beautiful interior designs, there was no one else in there.He was almost losing hope when he opened the last room at the far end of the hall.There she was, sitting gracefully on a stool as her beautiful fingers brushed softly against the surface
"Here, grandma, this is for you," Mrs Palmer walked forward with an embarrassed look while Ben carried the gift.As soon as they presented it, he greeted the old woman, "Wishing you a long life grandma."Madam Powell was pleased because she pulled him in for a hug. "You have grown so well. I suspect we'd be preparing for a wedding very soon."Everyone besides Mrs Palmer and Ben burst into laughter.Thinking of this, Mrs Powell suddenly looked around. "Has anyone seen Lily? She hasn't presented her gift to her grandma yet and that's weird."Ben looked down at his mother who had a disapproving expression on her face.To avoid an embarrassing face-off later, she stepped forward and into the old madam. "Grandma, Ben and I have to leave now. My father is all alone at home and it's getting late.""I understand my child. Go on and extend my greetings to that old man.""Let me just get Lily and we can see you off," Mrs Powell added but Mrs Palmer suddenly shook her head."No need. Lily probabl
"Ben, what has gotten into you?" Mrs Palmer was dumbfounded. "Lily is the one you are going to marry, not that nameless orphan.""Don't you understand? She's a fake. If it wasn't because of the Powell's, she wouldn't have a last name. Is that the person you want as a wife?""Yes!" Ben released her hand gently."Lily is only someone you have decided for me to marry like you always do. You decide my life and coerce grandfather to support you knowing fully well I can't go against him.""Mom, I have been filial and obedient to you two for years. If you don't let me make decisions on my own now, you never will. I'll return to the barracks and never show up here.""Ben," His mother panicked as he zipped up the box. "Do you know the trouble you have caused for Estelle tonight? Are you going to leave her?"Ben scoffed. "Mom, you really haven't changed. You switched sides quickly and started to blackmail me with her. I'll take her along with me if she agrees to come. Even if she doesn't, I'll s
"Humph!" Liana snorted. "Don't think because you said sorry, I'll forgive you. I won't. I also know how to be angry.""Although I have some scores to settle with Eric, that's for another day. I don't understand why you had to take out the anger on me and ignore me... Let go."She struggled but Jed held her firmly, relishing the pleasure that came from leaning into her soft bosoms."There's a fork in my hand," She warned with a darkened look.Jed finally looked up, into her sharp gaze but didn't let go. "Do you know the issues with the tender that's caused us to work overtime is all because of Cullen?"Liana forgot to act angry in her shock. "He's back?"Jed smiled secretly at her reaction. At least, her anger subsided but to keep up his act, he put on a slightly pitiful expression."Yes... After all these years, I didn't expect we had to meet in this condition... He hasn't let go of his competitive demeanor."Liana could almost feel his sadness as he continued,"I won the tender bid o
"Ha!" Mrs Powell cackled. "What gave you the nerve to come here and still demand to see her after everything? I'm telling you as her mother. You are not allowed to see her!""She's an adult and you don't have the right to control her," Ben flared up. This only angered Mrs Powell."We are her parents and we have the right to decide who she gets to see or not. Because of the last respect I have for your grandfather, I am not asking the guards to throw you out now so leave."Ben ignored her and walked to Mr Powell. "Uncle, why don't you let me see Estelle just once? I—"Mr Powell sighed and shook his head. Although, since they adopted Estelle, he never treated her wrongly nor did he give her any preferential treatment.Ben's actions tonight have caused Estelle a lot of trouble but he didn't interfere because this also concerned his own biological daughter.He couldn't just ignore Lily's predicament, he overlooked his wife's brutal actions tonight. This was the exact reason why Ben could
"Estelle!"Ben called out and wanted to move forward but refrained himself. Estelle was looking pale and she had some tiny bruises on her delicate skin.Her knuckles and arms were red like she had been kneeling on a dashboard.Ben didn't even want to ask what happened... He just wanted to take her away from here."Estelle, this young man who was originally meant to be your sister's fiance has come here wanting to take you away. How do you explain this?" Mrs Powell's eyes were filled with hatred that frightened the poor girl."No mum... I've got nothing to do with him. I don't —" she tried to explain but Mrs Powell cut her off and turned to Ben."Can you hear that? She has nothing to do with you. What right do you have then to take her away?"Ben ignored her and walked to Estelle. He wanted to reach out to her but she shrunk away for fear of what would befall her later."Estelle, I know you are not safe here... I know you have always wanted to get away from this place. I saw your paint