Thea had been the object of ridicule for ten years. Every time she stepped outdoors, her face would be hidden under a veil.She thought she was used to this. But right now, the crowd's words pierced into her like knives. She kept her head lowered, not daring to meet the onlookers' gazes. Self-hatred started rising inside her."This is it? I wouldn't want her even if you paid me.""The most beautiful woman in Cansington? The media must've been blind when they said that."Thea may have been staring at the ground, but she could vividly picture the sneers that were on the crowd's faces. It was too much to bear. The lump in her throat grew and a single teardrop fell from her eyes. Belinda was pleased with Thea's reaction. She lifted Thea's chin, staring at the scabbed-over cuts on her face that were still in the process of healing. "Such a beautiful face," Belinda said with a laugh. "What a pity. Haha!""W-what are you doing?!" Thea jerked herself out of Belinda's grip in a panic a
However, James pulled her back up. "This doesn't concern you, Thea," he said simply. "I was the one that hit her. She can come at me if she wants. I won't let this affect the Callahans.""Come at you? Alright." Belinda's temper flared at his words. She took her phone out and called the manager of The Gourmand. "Mr. Thomas? It's Belinda Frasier, Gold member of The Gourmand. Someone hit me right outside your restaurant. I need some of your security guards. Now."Belinda glared at James as she hung up. "You're dead meat. I'm not letting you off, even if you knelt down and begged me to. I'm breaking both your legs today, or my name isn't Belinda Frasier!"Gladys rushed forward to try to appease her. "I'm really sorry, Miss Frasier. This is all my good-for-nothing son-in-law's fault! I'll apologize for him, so please forgive us! Just pretend we farted!"Gladys was terrified.Getting a portion of the family's shares was a once-in-a-lifetime feat. She definitely wanted to avoid angerin
The Blithe King of the West. Commander of the army on the western border. He was a man above all, a figure with near-unparalleled power.His aura emanated powerfully as he approached.The outside of The Gourmand was quiet as everyone held their breaths.This was the Blithe King, the new commander-in-chief of the five armies!They had only ever seen him on screens. Now that he was here in person, they were so shocked at the sheer command his presence demanded that they did not dare to even move.Niel and the security guards remained on the ground, trembling slightly.Gladys had been sobbing on the ground but went quiet when she saw the Blithe King, not daring to even breathe too loudly. She had seen the news. She knew this was someone even more terrifying than Trent Xavier. Belinda, too, held her breath in fear.Everyone was intimidated. Only James seemed calm.He had met the Blithe King once, back when he was appointed commander.Surprise flashed across the Blithe King's fac
Benjamin was about to say something when Gladys beat him to it. “Oh, now you want to talk? What were you doing earlier on, cowering in the corner? It’s so embarrassing being your wife. I want a divorce!”There was a crowd at The Gourmand’s entrance.However, none of them were interested in their family argument. Their minds were still on the Blithe King.“The Blithe King’s succession ceremony is in five days.”“Oh, yes. I heard that it’ll be held at Cansington’s military region. Apparently, the ceremony will be open to the public, but only the most powerful and influential people will receive an invitation.”“That’s what I heard too! Only the true upper-class families who are rich and powerful enough will be able to attend.”“Ah, I bet the only people who will get invited are the celebrities.”Everyone was busy talking about the Blithe King.Not James though. He sat on a chair outside The Gourmand, smoking a cigarette.To save her family, Gladys had embarrassed herself thoroug
Several people were waiting outside The Gourmand.They were all queueing up to enter the restaurant. Before this, they were discussing the Blithe King. After they heard what James said, the crowd erupted in titters.“The Diamond Room? Looks like the Callahans’ son-in-law is good at something after all—boasting.”“He’s a nobody! He can’t even afford a car. Remember how he used to pick Thea up from work with an electric motorcycle? If he can’t even afford a car, how can he afford the Diamond Room?”“Rumor has it that it’s not enough to be rich to use the Diamond room. The Gourmand’s owner hails from an important family in the Capital. He’s from a true upper-class family. Hardly anybody in Cansington could secure a reservation for the Diamond Room.”“Not even The Great Four could get access to the Diamond Room.”James’ words were a joke to them.Their jeers angered Gladys once more and she rounded on him. “You idiot! Haven’t you done enough?”“Hush, Jamie.” Thea put her hand on Ja
“You’re right. The Wilkins are so lucky. They have such a dutiful daughter who married a Wilson. Chad and The Gourmand’s owner must enjoy a special friendship.”Felicia and her family were dumbfounded hearing what the crowd said.Chad was confused as well. What was going on? He had only made a reservation for the Silver Room, and he had never seen The Gourmand’s owner before either. Why was he here in person?However, thinking that he had managed to command the attention of The Gourmand’s owner, Chad turned gleeful. He lifted his chin and put an arm around Emily, enjoying the admiring glances from the crowd.Felicia was more arrogant than ever. She even turned around to look at Gladys purposefully, letting out a haughty hmph.Gladys was enraged. She blamed James for all of this, the useless worm.“You piece of trash. Look at them! Look at the company they keep! Even The Gourmand’s owner is here to greet them in person,” Gladys yelled at James, who frowned slightly.Henry never m
It was astonishing how quickly the tables turned. Felicia, Chad, and their family were now barred from The Gourmand.Felicia was still determined to find a way in. She grabbed Chad, saying, “Chad, you’re from the Wilson family. You have a member card. Show it to him!”Chad approached Bryan once more with resignation, holding out his silver member card. “Mister Grayson, I’m a silver member of The Gourmand’s. Over the years, I’ve spent a few million dollars…”“Beat him up.”Chad’s untimely approach ticked Bryan off as he was busy talking to Thea.A few menacing security guards beat Chad to a pulp.He fell to the floor moaning, “Stop. Please stop.”“Haha.” As soon as Gladys saw this, her anger abated.She held her head high and puffed out her chest, looking pleased as punch.“The Wilkins were boasting all along. It looks like the Callahans are the ones with real power.”“Tell me about it. Thea Callahan is friends with Alex Yates. Now, she’s reserved the Diamond Room. Even the ow
“But I don’t even know him.”James smiled. “Hmm, I have no idea what’s all this about then.”“Who cares who he is? Let’s eat. Oh, wait… Let me take a few pictures and post them up. My followers would go crazy!” David took his phone out and started snapping pictures of everything.Soon, the food arrived.Beautiful waitresses presented course after course.Whether in terms of presentation, taste, or smell, the food served was extremely appetizing.The tables were soon full of delicious food. Once all the food arrived, a group of women started dancing on the mini stage in front of the room.They were so attractive that Benjamin and David could not take their eyes off them.Throughout the meal, the Callahans were in a state of shock.There was so much food in the Diamond Room that they could not finish. In fact, they barely ate a fraction of it.“Oh no…” Gladys came to a realization after she finished eating, smacking herself in the forehead. “I heard that eating at the Diamond R