So saying, she produced a plain wooden box, seemingly ordinary and rather old but worthless. Similar boxes could be found by the dozen in antique stores for a few dollars.Yet at the sight, Mark Phillips seemed to comprehend something, his lips quirking in a subtle smile."Favorite? Ha, don't boast if you can't take it. With your poverty, you can hardly feed yourselves. What decent gift could you possibly have that compares to ours?" Robert Brown laughed derisively.The Brown relatives also guffawed, "I bet they were tricked at some antique shop into buying this rubbish box, thinking it some ancient treasure!""Take that trash back before you embarrass yourselves further! I'm ashamed for you..."Eugene, Alexander Brown and the rest laughed uproariously. What nerve she had to make such claims!Mary Martinez and James Brown were confounded. Their daughter had lost her mind! Competing gifts with the other families? Sheer lunacy! Calling it self-humiliation was too kind.The two helpless
Old Brown's expression stiffened as he quickly appeased, "Mr. Flores, forgive the ignorance of our juniors. Please do not take offense."Though he said so, inwardly he was elated. With Mr. Flores' confirmation, what else could be said? The family heirloom was finally complete!Yet Mr. Flores seemed to recall something. After giving the frozen Robert Brown an icy glare, he scoffed, "I disdain quibbling with ignorant youths. But since reputation was mentioned, I have more to say.""That Zisha dinnerware set, 'Good Fortune Beckons' if I'm not mistaken, is indeed an early work. However, I happen to know it was later gifted by Mr. Hughes to a prominent family in Metropolis Central.""Disregarding value, their sentimental ties must run deep. I doubt that family would be so destitute as to sell the dinnerware. In short, the set before us now is fake. The real one remains in Metropolis Central."His shocking words triggered an uproar among the guests. "Fake? How...how can that be?"Old Brown'
These words made everyone frown. What nerve! What outstanding payment? Raymond Brown was in trouble?Amidst the confusion, Raymond Brown, who had been watching gleefully, froze, his expression changing drastically. Damn it, how did these bastards find this place? He had told them to wait a bit longer!But as shock rippled through the crowd, he pulled Alexander Brown into the throng to hide. Better to evade if possible.Old Brown's anger flared. "Who are you people? How dare you cause a ruckus at my birthday party? What payment? Explain yourselves clearly."On hearing this, the leader of the group raged, "Raymond Brown, Chairman of Runhe Medicine Company, purchased a large batch of new machinery from me to produce medicine. But the final payment has been delayed until now."He said he would double the payment after securing a deal with Emerald City Hospital. But two days ago I found out he didn't get that deal at all! The company premises are deserted, no one's picking up the phone. Wh
These words immediately drew everyone's attention. To their surprise, the one interrupting was Jason.What was this useless fool trying to do now?Anthony Brown brought fake wares, Raymond Brown brought trouble, was the James Brown clan trying to stir up chaos too?Old Brown was already seething, but didn't want to lose face by yelling in front of everyone. Yet now, at the very end, someone dared speak up? Did they think this disastrous celebration wasn't miserable enough?Especially this waste of space that irritated him with a mere glance - now anyone could cause a ruckus?"Shut your mouth, you have no right to speak here! I'll say it again, party's over. James, drag your useless grandson away..." old Brown fumed.Hearing this, James Brown, who had been stunned speechless, snapped back to awareness. The tremendous shocks in this short time were too much to digest.Susan also panicked, hurrying to placate him. Why was Grandpa taking it out on Jason? Uncle and Second Uncle did such aw
Upon hearing this, the Brown relatives' hearts chilled. But then old Brown added, "A company this large, Susan alone may have trouble commanding authority. Robert can be Deputy Chairman to assist."These words stunned even Robert Brown. Deputy Chairman? Wow, a promotion!The relatives also erupted into wild celebration and excitement. As expected of old Brown, always leaving a contingency.This was appointing someone to keep Susan in check. The future balance of power in the Brown family was still undetermined.Susan was also pleasantly surprised. She truly never expected Grandpa to agree, even though he deliberately made her an "acting" Chairwoman and assigned Robert Brown as Deputy Chairman. In her eyes, this was already a huge concession.She couldn't help but glance excitedly at Jason. He had done it, giving her a chance to prove herself. She would surely impress everyone with results.Although not the best outcome, it met Jason's expectations. This position was essentially bought
Seeing this, the residents were amazed and marveled at what important personage had come to their humble district. Did someone strike it rich or marry well? In all of Emerald City, who could compare to this woman's poise? She must be from Metropolis Central!Just then, James Brown and Mary Martinez were returning home and also witnessed the scene. "What kind of car is that? It must be extremely expensive!" James Brown exclaimed.Mary Martinez scoffed, "Don't be so boorish. Our daughter is the Chairwoman now. We'll have no shortage of luxury cars in the future. I'll be able to wear whatever jewelry I desire without question.""But we have to get rid of that useless Jason quickly. Now that our daughter is Chairwoman, what use is keeping a good-for-nothing like him around?""Some high society ladies I know have agreed to introduce eligible bachelors to Susan. Any one of them would be a hundred times better than Jason! If we want fancy cars and jewelry, we'll have to rely on my wonderful
Tower's brow ticked up as he remarked meaningfully, "The Young Master never bested me as a boy. After nearly a decade in exile, how much skill could you retain?"His words were not scornful, but rather sincere - forcibly barging in was near impossible.Yet in the next moment, Jason accelerated rapidly, his movements suddenly erratic. Tower's pupils constricted in alarm as he threw a punch that met only air. In a flash, a knife-hand strike landed squarely on his neck.With a heavy thud, Tower crashed limply to the ground, half his body numb."Wha...what?" Daniel Smith exclaimed in shock as he and the other retired experts and bodyguards rushed over, stunned by the blinding speed of Jason's movements.It was like watching a graceful spin, deftly evading and exploiting momentum for a decisive blow that felled Tower instantly.As seasoned warriors themselves, they found Jason's mastery deeply astonishing. Even together, they doubted they could overcome him - the gulf was too vast.Daniel
In the old master's eyes, only results mattered. If not for his eldest grandson's dire plight, would he even have recalled Jason's existence? Were it not so, the old master might not have remembered he had another grandson at all.As the saying goes, nothing surpasses an imperial family's ruthlessness. And the Wesley family was likely far worse...Downstairs, Jason took a deep breath and let out a long sigh, sinking into brooding silence as his mouth twitched, suppressing the urge to curse. Even in the office he had not felt such anger, taxing his composure. His indignation was evident. His rented e-bike...was gone again!"Fu--!" Jason growled, his face darkening as he immediately called a number. After a single ring, Steven Martin's respectful voice responded, "Mr. Gray, your command?""You have one day to haul in every bike thief in the city for interrogation and find out who stole my e-bike. Twice, no less! This is beyond tolerable. I want to know who he is!" Jason grated out.The