Brownsville was a city alive with energy. In the late afternoon, just after three, Cullinan pulled into the Sunshine Grand Hotel's parking lot. He found a spot, parked the car, and Elio and the others stepped out and headed into the hotel. They made their way to the biggest room on the third floor.The room was already buzzing with people, all relatives from the Faust family. Ruby had planned a special banquet for her side of the family on the eve of the wedding. Dressed to impress as the soon-to-be mother-in-law, she wore a dazzling purple-red dress, a string of pearls around her neck, and a shiny gold bracelet. She looked like a lady who lived a life of luxury.The Faust family's grandmother was there too, her hair a beautiful silver at the age of eighty. She had lost her partner five years ago. She had four children: her eldest son, Quentin Faust; her oldest daughter, Ruby; her second daughter, Lana; and her youngest son, Yash Faust. They were all there, surrounded by numerous gra
Ruby chimed in proudly for her daughter, "My future son-in-law's family is incredibly wealthy. They provided a dowry of $132,000, plus gold and silver jewelry worth a fortune. Yitty's going to live the good life marrying into that family."Howard and Lana felt super awkward. It was tough when they saw someone else's amazing son-in-law and then looked at their own, who had nothing. It was just sad!Lana held back her frustration and managed a fake smile, "That's really great. Your son-in-law is so impressive and successful."Hudson was full of himself and did not even pay her any mind. He reached out to Elio with a fake grin, "We're going to be family soon; let's shake on it."That guy was green with envy because Elio\ had snagged such an amazing woman. He was so annoyed that he wanted to embarrass Elio. He had been into martial arts since he was a kid and could crush a pair of pliers with his bare hands. He was itching to put that young man in his place.Elio saw right through him
Then it clicked for Elio. His mother-in-law Lana's preoccupation with wealth and disdain for the less fortunate stemmed from Madam Faust. This attitude pervaded the entire Faust family: if he were wealthy, he would be treated like royalty and universally liked; if not, he would be left to endure criticism at the whim of others.Hudson was grinning and looking at Elio like he was nothing. He said in a mean voice, "Did you hear that, you country boy? You won't listen to Grandma? Say sorry to me now."Yitty was being really bossy too. She said, "What are you waiting for? A guy who depends on his wife has no right to stand up to my man. Say you're sorry to my husband, or you'll be sorry!"Others started saying things like, "Come on, this is Brownsville, and Hudson is the boss here. If you make him mad, you're in big trouble.""You don't know how silly you look, acting all important when you're really not. You should be happy we're making you say sorry."That was what they called famil
Evelyn stopped, unable to move, and asked calmly, "Grandma, what else do you want to say?" Everyone knew Evelyn was strong-willed. If she left then, it would not look good. They had come a long way for the wedding, and it would not be nice if people talked. Quentin, the eldest Faust son, had to keep things under control. He smiled and said, "Mom, please calm down." Then he told Evelyn, "Don't be upset. Grandma means well. Let's forget about apologies. Everyone, please sit down. It's not often the Faust family gets together like this. No one is leaving."When her uncle spoke up, Evelyn's frown turned into a slight smile. "Okay, I'll do as you say."The tension at the table eased for a moment, and everyone found their seats.More than twenty people sat around the big table. Elio, sitting by his wife, felt a rush of warmth in his heart. When it really mattered, Evelyn had his back, even if it meant clashing with her own family. It looked like she really did care about him after all
Suddenly, the room went as quiet as a mouse. Everyone was frozen in shock, eyes glued to the necklace, and all they could hear was the sound of breathing!Evelyn stared at the necklace in disbelief. She had never worn fancy jewelry before, but something told her this was super valuable. However, could it really be worth $750,000, like Elio said?Yitty was really mad and yelled, "What kind of emerald necklace is this? It's gotta be fake, right? It looks just like glass. Don't be so shameless, trying to trick us with a phony necklace..."Lana felt the same way. Her face was stormy, thinking Elio was a fool for trying to impress them with a fake. She worried they would all end up looking silly in front of everyone.Howard, the father-in-law, saw things a bit differently. He was not sure about the price, but he thought the necklace might be real. He said, "You can't turn something fake into real or real into fake. Quentin's a pro at jewelry. He'll figure it out."Quentin, the top jewe
With shaky hands, he fastened the necklace. Everyone stared, and they could see Evelyn's presence grow stronger. She looked even more regal, shining brighter than any other girl, like a true princess among the Faust family's third generation."You look so beautiful, my dear. Only you deserve such a precious necklace," Elio announced to everyone, knowing that Evelyn was happy and would not get mad at him.Evelyn's cheeks turned a soft pink, making her look even more lovely.Lana could not stop smiling. "Well, of course! My daughter is the most beautiful. No one comes close."His son-in-law's surprise move made Howard stand a little taller, filled with pride. He thought to himself, then who would dare to underestimate them? They must be shocked!Yitty was shaking with rage. She was supposed to be the star, showing off and making everyone jealous. Elio's gesture had completely stolen her thunder.Her father, Brody Wafford, was also upset, his face long with annoyance. He felt that E
The feast was lavish, and Ruby invited everyone to eat and drink. Her smile, however, was forced and not as bold as before, making the mood a bit awkward. No one dared to look down on Elio, the son-in-law who joined the family, especially since no one else could give a gift worth $750,000.After a few rounds of drinks and a variety of dishes, Yash, with a couple of cups of strong liquor warming his belly, started to brag about his clout in society, the bigwigs he knew, and his influence in Brownsville, claiming that everyone had to show him respect.In reality, the forty-something Yash was nothing but a freeloader, always carrying a bag and driving his old Honda around town, mooching off others. When he was broke, he would shamelessly ask his mother for money, all while trying to look important, but he was really just full of hot air.The more someone like him talked, the more they boasted. Spittle flying, he boasted, "Just look at Drake Hughes, the boss of the Sunshine Grand Hotel,
Elio chuckled and said calmly, "No need to bother. I can just call him 'Big Silly Hughes' right to his face."Evelyn frowned. Elio always seemed to get into trouble and never seemed to learn. She gave Elio a pinch on the leg and whispered, "Please, no trouble."Yitty was not about to let Elio off easily, though. She smirked, "Big talk when he's not here. If you're so brave, prove it! However, really, who are you to him? You probably won't even get to see Mr. Hughes.""If he's in the hotel, he'll come," Elio said confidently. He pulled out his phone and made a call to show he was not just talking big."Hello, who's this?" came a deep, commanding voice from the phone."I'm here to see Big Silly Hughes," Elio said with a grin."What?" The person on the other end of the line was super excited, their voice getting louder, " Master Rinz, hearing your voice again is wonderful! You finally remembered me! Where are you?""I'm at the Sunshine Grand Hotel. You own it, right? I'm in the Spr