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7 p.m., Chase City, at the Johnson family’s estate.There are currently a lot of people gathered together inside a huge hall that is well-lit, grandiosely decorated, and filled with warmth and a joyful atmosphere.They were busy discussing amongst themselves, establishing connections, and eating and drinking when suddenly, a cultivated voice sounded, interrupting the buzz.Everybody abruptly stopped and dropped what they were doing mid-action before turning their attention toward the speaker, the old matriarch Johnson of the Johnson family, who just turned eighty today."To everybody that came and brought wonderful presents for my birthday celebration today, I love you all and I appreciate your gifts." "Thank you fo-."Just as everybody was feeling flattered by her speech, an unexpected voice abruptly interrupted, startling them all."Hum... grandmother, we seemed to be forgetting someone here right now."Instantly, everybody turned their heads toward the source of the sound, and then they saw a young, elegant, and handsome man in his late twenties currently smiling brightly.Quickly, everybody realized who he was."Isn’t this the popularly known first grandson of the Johnson family, Ethan Johnson?""Yes, I think he is.""I couldn't help but deeply wonder who could have been so important to make him interrupt his grandmother publicly."Everybody began to mumble behind their breath, discussing how Ethan had interrupted his grandmother's speech. But this person doesn’t seem to care at all; he continued smiling gracefully.Looking at her precious grandson, the old matriarch could only smile at him helplessly.Had it been someone else who had interrupted her, she definitely would have taught them a lesson they would never forget, but being her precious grandson, the old Matriarch couldn't bare to do anything."Grandson, who is the person we are forgetting here?" She asked with a motherly smile plastered on her face.Everybody's attention abruptly returned to Ethan after hearing the question whose answer they were currently dying to know.Ethan's smile also increased slightly before he abruptly raised his head and glanced in a particular direction.Seeing this, everybody’s head subconsciously followed Ethan's gaze, and they became stupified by what they saw.stunned, everybody began to mumble under their breath."Isn't that the popularly known useless live-in son-in-law of the Johnson family?""Why is he consuming food so voraciously like someone who has been famished for an extended period?""Aish! " "What a huge disgrace to the Johnson family for having such an embarrassing son-in-law like this.""Look at him, he couldn’t even dress properly on a special day like this; what a tremendous disgrace.""As powerful and influential as the family is, how did they end up having such a disgraceful son-in-law like this?"Hearing the crowd's murmuring and seeing the person they were gazing at, the bright, wide smile that had long been plastered on the old matriarch's face slowly dissipated, and replacing it was a deep shade of fury and shame.She began to tremble as she watched her greatest embarrassment and regret, but her mouth couldn’t form any word at all.filled to the brim with wrath, she began to wonder who brought Rex Magnus here tonight.Suddenly, the old matriarch turned her gaze in another direction.There stood a tall and elegant lady with fair skin, whose beauty alone could destroy a nation. But right now, the look on her face is currently filled with anger and remorse as she watches the person at the very back still busily washing food down his throat like a hungry lion.While filled with embarrassment, Fiona abruptly felt deeply cold and shivered all over as if she were placed inside a deep freezer.Instinctively, she turned her head in a particular direction, and her heart instantly shook and thunders in her chest unexpectedly.'I'm so dead again!' She suddenly mourned pitifully in her mind and before abruptly feeling like tearing up the moment she saw the deep outrage painted heavily on the face glaring at her.Scared to death by this and not knowing how to react, Fiona swallowed hard before subconsciously gazing down at her feet nervously......While everybody was still busy mumbling, Ethan's voice finally sounded again, but this time a little more playfully and jokingly."Rex Magnus, are you a hungry tiger?""hun?"Rex Magnus, who hadn't realized he had become the focal point of attention, suddenly became startled and raised his head to glance at the speaker, then his eyes widen.'Why is everybody gazing at me like this?' His voice was filled with surprise as he questioned no one in particular.Some people couldn't help but shake their heads mockingly, while others shook their heads angrily before smacking their lips against each other at this."How could a handsome man like this be such a big fool?" One of the ladies in the crowd could be seen mumbling to herself."The family's eldest granddaughter's husband, for heaven's sake." "Why had she married a fool like this in the first place when there are a lot of great and godly men out there in the world?""Ah, even my family, which isn't ten percent as good as this family, would never have such a fool and laughingstock as our in-law."The more the matriarch heard, the darker her face became. It soon got to the point where she couldn’t control herself anymore."YOU FOOL! ENOUGH OF THAT! AREN'T YOU TIRED OF EMBARRASSING US, The JOHNSON FAMILY?"Everybody instantly became startled by this unexpected roar filled with rage, then they became quiet with embarrassment.As for Rex Magnus, the handsome young man who was shouted upon, he slowly turned around to the Old Matriarch before scratching his head obliviously and speaking out emotionally."Grandma, I haven't embarrassed the family, though." He said. "I've been working tirelessly since I woke up today, and I hadn’t had any meals so far, so...He spread out his hand as if to tell everybody that "this is the result." But unfortunately, instead of the crowd understanding him, their gazes became increasingly filled with contempt and disdain.As for the Old Matriarch, her mouth abruptly twitched furiously and her breathing became laborious, but she did everything she could to calm herself, which doesn’t work at all.The more she looked at Rex Magnus, the angrier and more dissatisfied she became.Unlike everybody else that was dressed in expensive suits and gowns made by various famous brands, Rex Magnus was only wearing black shorts, a white sweatshirt, and a pair of white sneakers.He currently looked so out of place that if not for his handsome face, people would have assumed that he was just an ordinary servant here amongst the wealthy and influential people.Just as the old matriarch was about to have a heart attack, the voice of her favorite grandson sounded again, saving the day."Rex Magnus. Well... It’s okay to eat since you haven’t had anything since you woke up; you have no problem."Everybody couldn't help but hesitate a bit when they heard this before eventually nodding their heads, finding what Ethan said to be reasonable.And this included the Old Matriarch who finally calmed down and give her precious grandson a gratitude-filled gaze.'What could I do without this precious grandson of mine?' She thought with a sigh.As for Rex Magnus, although understood well that Ethan has another motive for calling and helping him out, he was currently too hungry to care, so he only nodded his head casually in response before resuming his meal.He continued having his meal merrily without caring at all at the eyes boring intently at him with all sorts of expressions.Would an extremely hungry have the time to care about his face? Of course not.Rex Magnus had woken up very early this morning and completed his usual household chores. However, his mother-in-law had instructed him to come to assist the servants in preparing the Old Matriarchs' banquet, and since then, he has not had the opportunity to eat or rest. He has been working tirelessly till now, and apart from being tired to the core right now, he is so famished.Initially, Rex Magnus had made up his mind to secretly sneak out to go search for something to eat when Ethan forcefully invited him to attend the banquet from the kitchen he was in, and when he realized that there were a lot of free foods present, he directly accepted and became relieved before choosing somewhere less noticeable to have his meal.Who would have thought that he would still end up getting noticed in the end?…Seeing Rex Magnus like this, Ethan suddenly smirked before controlling the expression on his face."Rex Magnus, although you are very hungry, that shouldn’t stop you from giving Grandmother a birthday present, right?""_""Hun?" Rex Magnus immediately became startled once again when he heard this.He raised his head and looked around as if he couldn't understand Ethan's question.Seeing this, everybody directly rolled their eyes in ridicule but they said nothing."Rex Magnus, please don’t tell me you brought no present for Grandmother." Ethan looked taken aback by Rex Magnus' unexpected behavior and exclaimed in disbelief as though he had been stunned by the revelation.When the Old Matriarch heard this, her eyes immediately emitted killing intent which was directly felt by Rex Magnus.Although it doesn't affect him at all, he knew he has to think of his wife's well-being, so Rex Magnus scratched his head and deliberated for a while before suddenly, a wide grin appeared on his face."Oh, I was just wondering how useless he would be if he didn't even have a gift for someone who had taken him in, clothed him, and fed him, so he does bring a gift."'But what sort of present could this useless live-in son-in-law have brought with him?'Everybody became filled with questions and started imagining within themselves, but what happened next was completely outside of their thoughts, expectations, and imaginations.*****"Wife, please, do you have any cash on you there?" "_""Huh?!"Everybody instantly became flabbergasted when they heard what came out of Rex Magnus' mouth, then their mouths instantly widened. Some people couldn’t even help but subconsciously dip their fingers into their ears, wondering if they’d heard wrongly, but who would have thought that Rex Magnus would repeat the question? While they were all still feeling dumbfounded, both the old matriarch and Rex Magnus' wife trembled all over to the extent that one would think they were experiencing extreme coldness if they didn’t know better. Even Ethan, the guy who put Rex Magnus in the spotlight, wasn’t expecting this from Rex Magnus at all.He had done what he did mainly because he wanted Rex Magnus to embarrass himself by saying he didn’t bring any presents or for him to bring out a cheap or useless present. He had never expected that Rex Magnus would go this far at all, which shocked him. 'Why had I even overestimated the f
***** The elderly matriarch no longer cares about her appearance or status.She gestured frantically toward Rex Magnus with a burning desire to see him suffer.Rex Magnus became further confused as he witnessed the intensity of his grandmother-in-law's reaction.'Is giving someone money as a gift considered wrong?' he thought to himself, perplexed. 'Why then did those groups of young and elderly ones always become excited when I rewarded them with money back in the day?'Rex Magnus couldn’t help but abruptly scratch his head, feeling more confusedBack when Rex Magnus was still in the position of the divine general, everybody under him was always mostly pleased with receiving monetary rewards from him. However, his maid had once informed him that none of the recipients had spent the cash, instead choosing to frame it and pass it down as a family heirloom. Interestingly, Rex Magnus himself had once overheard some soldiers boasting to their significant others about receiving a divine
*****Just after the voice finished sounding breathless, another footstep began to walk in. But unlike the first one, this footstep sounded more elegantly and quiet to the extent that nobody would have heard had the place not been completely quiet after everybody heard the servant's report. Also, apart from how quiet and elegant this footstep is sounding, everybody could already tell how influential and great the person must be with how unhurried the footsteps were coming. Everybody instantly forgot themselves and turned their gazes hotly to the door. Even the old matriarch wasn’t expecting this visitor at all.She currently is flabbergasted to her very core right now. Of cause, everybody knows the Bottoms family like the back of their hands. Although it wasn’t the most powerful and influential family in Chase city, it had been standing amidst the top second-ranked families for years without shaking at all, while the Johnson family, although they were also powerful, they weren’t
*****“Young master Bottoms, I wasn’t expecting your magnificent self to attend my birthday banquet, it's a wonderful surprise.” The Old Madamé Johnson suddenly expressed shamelessly. But the thing is that, apart from Alan Bottoms and Rex Magnus, nobody in the huge hall found anything wrong with her sudden change of disposition at all. Well… it wasn’t their fault though. The highest ranked family present were in the same rank as the Johnson family, third rated families, so to everybody standing before Alan Bottoms right at this moment, they were like mortals standing before an immortal. ‘What's this lowly old woman talking about?’ Alan Bottoms who had been startled by the Old Matriarch's unexpected words suddenly thought with flustered eyes. ‘Aren't I only here for her granddaughter? What in the hell does she mean by saying she had never expected I would come to her birthday banquet? Is today her birthday? What a coincidence!’ Suddenly, an elegant and slight grin appeared on Al
******“The great young master Bottoms of the Bottoms family wants to propose a marriage between himself and the Johnson family!!!” Everybody's eyes instantly widen to the extent that they almost started falling out of their sockets. What Alan Bottoms said just now is completely out of their expectations and thoughts. “Wow!!! What a lucky family!” After overcoming their shock, thick enviousness that could almost drown an entire nation abruptly descended over everybody. As for Rex Magnus who also heard this statement, he doesn’t think much about it because his wife wasn’t the only young lady in the Johnson family. Also, he felt that she wouldn't be an option since she was already married to him. Thinking dismissively like this, he finally walked away without anybody noticing......“You… you… you want to marry someone from my family?” The Old Matriarch ultimately returned to her senses after looking astonished for a while and instantly became thoroughly excited to an extent tha
***** Everybody's heads followed the direction in which Alan Bottoms' finger was pointed, then instantly, all the buzzes within the hall died down and all sorts of expressions appeared on their faces. Two people standing beside each other could be seen there, Fiona and Sally. Right now, the two's mouths could be seen completely wide open. They couldn’t believe what they just heard. After a while, Sally gradually regained her composure and soon felt a surge of excitement building within her, growing into an overwhelming wave of fervor. She wasn’t expecting this great news. “You… you want to marry my daughter?” She suddenly questioned unconsciously. Hearing this, Alan Bottoms glanced at Sally, and although he felt nothing. Not even the slightest respect, he still nodded his head. “Yes aunty, your daughter had stolen my heart since the first day I set my eyes on her.” Apart from Sally and Alan Bottoms, nobody could still react. After another long while, Ethan's eyes abruptly f
*****“What nonsense are you brat talking, I dare you to repeat what you just said again!”Sally suddenly glared ferociously at her daughter, as if she would shoot out laser beams from her eyes and evaporate her to nothingness if she dares repeat what she just said.But unfortunately for her and the entire Johnson family, Fiona has already lost it completely right now to care about anything.“No!!!” She stood her ground without being moved at all and suddenly spat.“I will never agree to this! I’m a married woman!”Not flinching nor looking scared, she added.“How could I suddenly be told to marry another man?”Hearing this, the old Matriarch began to tremble all over again.She couldn’t believe what she was hearing.Ever since she knew Fiona. Apart from always acting cold, she had never been disrespectful to her or her seniors even when cursed to damnation.This is the first time.‘This stupid brat. How could she act like this at this critical moment?’The Old Matriarch
***** At the moment, a solitary figure could be observed strolling calmly and leisurely down a deserted street illuminated solely by the street lamps and the faint glow of the crescent moon above. This person is Rex Magnus who just left the coffee shop and is on his way home.Despite his apparent calmness at the moment, his mind is currently overwhelmed with the information given to him by May not long ago.'So, despite the affection, attention, and care I show that cousin, he was involved in the planning of the unfortunate and tragic incident that happened to me three years ago.'He pondered before a deep sigh abruptly escaped him and his eyes flickered with a cold glint within the dimly lit street. Then suddenly, memories of the diligent and taciturn young lad he once knew flooded into his mind.Although he lacked a deep understanding of human emotions, Rex Magnus had recognized the reverence and admiration the young man had for him then which was why he frequently guided him duri