Jessie turned around with an exaggerated gesture after the young women started showering Maxwell with praise. “You guys can continue chatting. It’s time for Micah and me to take our seats. Otherwise, the Brooks family will think that I’m being rude.” The young women changed their topic after hearing Jessie say that she would be sitting with the Brooks family. They exchanged courteous greetings with her before she left. Although she was not married to Micah right now, they will probably get married since he brought her to the banquet and had her sit next to the Brooks family. Although Micah did not have a good reputation, being the young Miss of the Brooks family was still extremely tempting. Jessie walked away on her high heels amidst everyone’s greetings. She then slowly walked to Micah.Micah was chatting with his friends. He was talking excitedly. Jessie walked over and held his arm. “Micah, shall we greet your uncles?” Micah frowned. There was an impatient expres
“That's enough, stop bickering! The banquet is about to begin!” Marietta said coldly as she interrupted their argument.Micah stopped talking. He turned around to look at the stage. Sonnet looked as well. The lights in the hall dimmed as the spotlights shone onto the stage before them. Malcolm got up and walked onto the stage. He gave a speech and thanked everyone for attending his father’s birthday banquet. After that, Will spoke. The juniors of the Brooks family then went on stage one by one to present Will with their gifts for him. Malcolm and his wife presented their gifts to Will. They were followed by Mariette and her husband. Malcolm presented Will with an expensive jade and Mariette gifted a valuable antique. Sonnet guessed they were going on stage based on their level of seniority within the family. Therefore, she prepared to bring Maxwell up the stage. However, Micah, holding Jessie’s hand, took the spot before them. He flashed them a snarky smile and asked, “You
Will’s gaze landed on the long and slender wooden box. “Is this made of golden dawn redwood?” “Is golden dawn redwood that valuable? Although redwood is rare right now, we can still get our hands on anything we want!” Micah said loudly. He tried to put Sonnet and Maxwell to shame in front of everyone. Everyone nodded as well. A box made of golden dawn redwood might be a rare item for regular people. However, it was not an exceptionally valuable item for Second Master Brooks. Will touched the wooden box and examined it carefully. Looking at it, he said, “This is an antique.” “Antique? How is that an antique?” Micah asked. Will looked at him in disgust. His gaze was on the wooden box once again. “From the grain and waxy surface of the wood, it’s obvious that the wood is of premium quality. Most importantly, the carvings on the box…” He handed the box to his wife while speaking. A surprised expression appeared on Angeline Ross’s face when she saw the box. “If I’m not mis
There were also some experts who looked doubtful. “Mr. Edelweiss? That name sounds familiar… Where have I heard it before…?”Everyone looked at Will to see his reaction.He was staring at the painting in a daze, as though frozen. His expression was very stern too.The crowd immediately began to chatter.“Second Master Brooks doesn’t look too pleased. Of course, he wouldn’t be happy when Master Maxwell and his wife tried to trick him with some second-rate painting.”“I don’t think so. I say he looks mesmerized!”“I can’t say. They found such a precious antique wooden box, so I’m sure they have a good eye for paintings too. Maybe we’re the ones who can’t tell!”“Yeah, exactly. Let’s wait for Second Master Brooks before we come to a conclusion!”Everyone looked at Will in unison. He did not react for about two minutes, but then his expression broke into a look of manic joy.“Maxwell, where did you find this painting?” He looked at Maxwell with a grin.Maxwell rubbed his head and
After Sonnet and Maxwell offered their present, it was Matteo’s and Maverick’s turns next. They both gave Will average but decently pleasant gifts according to his likes.Will was happy to receive those gifts as well, but he never stopped touching the box that held Everglow. He clearly adored that present most of all, so it was obvious which gift he preferred from among all those he received.The other guests whispered to themselves.“I had no idea the Brooks family had a Second Young Master. They really kept a low profile.”“I think I remember hearing about him. He’s the First Master’s son.”“The First Master? Didn’t he die in a car accident more than ten years ago? I thought his entire family died then!”“He and his wife did, but their son survived. I didn’t hear anything about him after that. Something about him not being very healthy?”Someone in the know gestured at their head mysteriously. “Not physically, but mentally. Apparently, his brain was injured in the accident. Ma
Sonnet just smiled.“She’s in no hurry. After all, she already has two children! What difference does it make if she doesn’t have anymore?” A shrill voice said suddenly.As soon as they heard that, everyone at the surrounding tables fell silent. Sonnet felt a flurry of sharp gazes on her.Her smile faded instantly. She turned to look at the person who spoke and saw that it was Micah. He had approached them at some point, speaking loud enough for everyone to hear.Will’s expression changed. “What do you mean by that?!”Micah grinned, enjoying himself. “You don’t know this, Uncle Will, but this woman had two children even before she married Maxwell!”“Watch your words, Micah!” Matteo said angrily.Micah pulled a stack of photos out of his pocket and tossed them onto the table, flaunting. “Here, here’s your evidence! See for yourself if I’m telling the truth!”Sonnet looked down. The very first photo was of her and Maxwell holding the two children’s hands.It looked like the pict
Maxwell added, “That’s right, Uncle Will. I know about the kids, and I’m willing to raise them with her!”“But the fact remains that you deceived us. No matter the reason, you married our Maxwell under false pretenses!” Welson interrupted.He never seemed to care about Maxwell before, but now he even was calling him “our Maxwell”.“That was the Cole family’s—”“The Cole family is your maiden family too,” Weldon cut her off harshly. “Are you saying you didn’t talk things through with your own family? No one will buy that.”“Yeah, you obviously worked with them to scam us of our money!” Micah piped in. “The Brooks household gave you four hundred thousand as a wedding gift. The Coles told us that was a rule from your village!”He spoke very loudly, so all the other guests could hear them. They burst into whispers.“To think that woman is so greedy! She worked with her parents to con them!”“I know, right? How can a single mother dare to hide her kids from the Brooks family and mar
Maxwell stopped immediately and looked at him.Welson said calmly, “Maxwell, your inheritance from the Old Master belongs to the Brooks family. If you stay with that woman and she tricks you out of your fortune, you’ll be handing over the family fortune to an outsider. As your uncles, we can’t let you do that!“How about this? For your own good, why don’t you leave your inheritance in our care for now? We’ll keep an eye on your stuff for you. After a few more decades, once that woman’s children are older, we’ll give your inheritance back to you.”“Okay!” Maxwell agreed without hesitation.Welson immediately threw Micah a glance. Micah grabbed some documents from his bag and handed them to Maxwell. “If you agree to the custodianship, sign here!”Maxwell did not even look at the contract. He took the papers and stared at Welson. “If I sign this, can I stay with my wifey?”“Sure, we won’t stop you,” Welson said happily.The other guests whispered. “Master Welson is clearly taking