Just then, Katherine Gonzales suddenly walked out of the store. She was Susan's aunt. Upon seeing Susan's family, her eyes lit up, "You're finally here! Where's the gift? Wait, don't tell me you came empty-handed?"Uncle Joe Martinez and his son Russell Martinez also came out, glaring, "Empty-handed? For such a big event as an opening, you have the nerve to come empty-handed?""Opening? Is it... just this small store? Didn't you say it was a restaurant?" James Brown asked in shock and confusion.Joe Martinez's eyes darted around. If they had said it was just a small store opening, would they have come? The last time they went to Emerald City, they were beaten for stealing money and never dared to go back.But if they couldn't go to Susan's house for money, what would they eat? Fortunately, the old lady had given them money to open a small store, so they thought of tricking Susan's family to come. If they couldn't go to Emerald City, at least they could get them to come here.A restaur
"Gasp... $150,000?"Everyone present was startled by the figure.Mary Martinez was dumbfounded. How could this wastrel of a son-in-law give away something so expensive? Didn't he have a brain? In her eyes, all this money being spent was hers. Surely Susan had used their money to buy this gift.James Brown's heart skipped a beat, and he almost instinctively tried to reclaim the gift, "Well, if you don't like it, we can always exchange it for something else...""Dream on! Once a gift is given, there's no taking it back. This belongs to us now. I'm warning you, don't even think about coveting what's ours!" Katherine Gonzales glared.She wasn't about to joke around with an item worth over a hundred thousand dollars. There was no way she'd return it. This was truly a windfall, a generous gift indeed.But then, thinking of the mansion and luxury cars, this piece of wood worth a mere hundred thousand or so didn't seem like much in comparison. No, this wouldn't do. They had finally caught a b
"Cheetah? I'm your big brother Russell, and you dare to act cocky in front of me? Do you know who my aunt is? She's a wealthy socialite from Emerald City. You dare offend me?""Now, be a good boy and apologize. I might just spare your life!" Russell Martinez glared, his breath reeking of alcohol.Normally, he wouldn't dare to be so brazen, but with Susan here, a company director no less, and the liquid courage coursing through his veins, who did he have to fear?Not just some Cheetah, even if the mayor himself showed up, he'd dare to be aggressive. Bumping into him? What a blind fool!If Jason were here, he'd surely marvel at how alcohol truly emboldens the cowardly. If one were to measure the depths of human shamelessness, Russell Martinez had just plumbed new lows.Upon hearing this, the buzz-cut man, Cheetah, exploded with rage, his anger giving way to a sardonic laugh, "Well, well, well. In all of Mount Jade Districts, you're the first to dare speak to me, Cheetah, like this. You'
But upon hearing this, Cheetah's sneer deepened, "The Brown family? Loaded, are they? Want to save this brat? Fine. Bring me $1 million for his ransom. Otherwise, I'll take his miserable life.""You have one minute to answer. If not, I'll start by chopping off one of his hands!"As he spoke, he ground his foot into Russell Martinez's face. The latter cried out in pain, wailing, "Mom, I'm scared! Quick, tell Aunt to save me! Money, give him money!""Money?" Jason and Susan exchanged odd looks. So it really was a ploy to extort money. They truly had no shame.And $1 million at that. How greedy could they be?But Katherine Gonzales and Joe Martinez blanched, clutching at Mary Martinez in panic and anger, "What are you waiting for? Hurry up and pay the ransom! My son's about to lose a hand!"However, James Brown had reached his limit. Slamming the table, he roared, "When will you ever stop? One trick after another, and now you want $1 million? Do you think we're that easy to fool? Has all
"No tricks, and don't even think about running. Otherwise, I'll wipe out the Martinez family first, then go collect my debt from the Brown family!" Cheetah snarled at Katherine Gonzales, Susan, and the others.Only after he left did Katherine Gonzales hurriedly help Russell Martinez up, fussing over him. Suddenly, she turned on Mary Martinez and Susan, raging, "If anything happens to my son, no amount of money will be enough compensation!""And you'll reimburse me for my Huanghuali wood carving!"Susan was livid. "How is any of this our fault? You practically dragged us here for this meal!"She was about to argue further when her mother, Mary Martinez, pulled her back, urgently whispering, "This is our chance. We need to run. Once we're back in Emerald City, I doubt he'd dare come after us.""Yes, yes, let's go quickly. Mount Jade is Cheetah's domain, but in Emerald City, he won't be so bold. We can have the Brown family deal with him then. He'll have no choice but to return everythin
"This... this..." Susan was stupefied, her jaw dropping in disbelief. What on earth was happening? Had they all gone mad?Kneeling in a row to repent was already miraculous, but this sudden self-flagellation was beyond comprehension. This was Mount Jade Cheetah, a legendary figure in the criminal underworld!What could he possibly be afraid of? No, something must have terrified him. The fear was palpable in his voice!"Could it be... that he's afraid of Jason?" Susan's mind reeled at the thought. She turned sharply, only to be caught off guard once again. "Mr. Martin? What are you doing here?"In her initial shock, she had failed to notice Steven Martin standing in front of Cheetah. Compared to a local thug like Cheetah, Mr. Martin was the true titan - one of the most powerful figures in Emerald City.Mr. Martin could obliterate countless Cheetahs with a mere wave of his hand. He was a force to be reckoned with in both legal and illegal circles.Understanding dawned on her. Of course,
When they tried to call again, they found they had been blocked.In an instant, the three of them felt their minds explode with rage. Russell Martinez cursed loudly as he smashed his phone to pieces.Steven Martin found the situation quite amusing. He recalled Mr. Gray mentioning they had been invited for a meal, so why should they be responsible for the bill?"Um, can we use the wine to pay off the debt?" Katherine Gonzales asked through gritted teeth, seething with anger. At this point, forget about the wood carving - they couldn't even leave themselves."We could, but only at half price," the waiter said coolly."What? Half price! This is highway robbery! Bring out your manager, I want to file a complaint!" Joe Martinez glared."I'm sorry, but I am the manager. Do you have something to say?" The waiter transformed into the manager before their eyes.After witnessing the earlier scene, he wasn't foolish enough to try and charge Jason.Katherine Gonzales and her family were stunned i
"Despite this, you must understand that there are things I cannot disclose. Some matters remain unclear even to me, so I hesitate to speak carelessly," Steel continued solemnly."However, not long ago, the family head decided to name your elder brother, Justin Wesley, as the heir to the Wesley family. This decision is unfavorable and unjust to you.""Heir to the Wesley family?" Jason frowned, but shook his head resignedly. "I've known this day would come from the beginning. That's why I never placed much importance on the Wesley Group. Today's events were inevitable."Steel wasn't surprised by this reaction. He sighed, "In any case, you must be cautious. Your brother Justin has undergone a drastic change in personality since returning from Emerald City. He harbors deep resentment towards you and may use the Wesley family's resources against you.""Although the family head's health has improved somewhat, he often lapses into unconsciousness. I can't shake the feeling that the Wesley fa