Chapter 6

At the family dinner, a lot of people kept flattering Donald, one after another, and they were very friendly.

Meanwhile, nobody looked at Thomas properly from start to finish.

Emma, who was sitting beside him, also felt humiliated. There were a few times that she wanted to get up and leave because she was really embarrassed about being in that place again.

At that moment, Thomas’ phone rang.

“Excuse me, I need to answer this call.”

After Thomas walked out of the room, he answered the call, and Samson’s voice came from the other end of the line.

“Boss, we’ve received the document. They want you to take over as chief officer and be in charge of three cities. You will have to attend the succession ceremony.”

“You know how I am. I don’t like these types of formalities. I can take over as the chief officer in charge, but just cancel the succession ceremony,” Thomas answered indifferently.

“Hmm… it’s been fixed by our superiors. Boss, it won’t be easy to cancel this.”

“You can attend on my behalf, then.”

“That would be inappropriate, wouldn’t it? Our superiors won’t agree.”

“If they don’t agree, I don’t have to take over as the chief officer in charge. Just pass my original message to our superiors.”

“Boss, don’t get angry. I’ll tell them.”

Thomas then ended the call. As he was about to go back, Harvard walked over happily.

“Hey, who were you talking to on the phone?”

“A friend.”

“Does trash like you still have friends?” Harvard said. “Both of you have been in the military, but look at Donald, and look at yourself. Why are both of you so different? Just now, Ronald promised to bring me to the succession ceremony of the new chief officer. Look at how capable he is. He managed to directly get an invitation through internal channels. What about you? You can only stay at home and wait to see me shaking hands with the new chief officer on the television!”

Thomas smiled faintly and asked, “Isn’t it easy to obtain an invitation? If you can’t attend and even Donald can’t go, wouldn’t it be very awkward?”

“Bah!” Harvard scolded, “If we can’t attend, will trash like you be able to attend?”

As the two of them talked, Emma walked out.

Her face was completely sullen. Clearly, someone had said something to shame her again.

When she passed by Thomas, she whispered, “Let’s go home now.”

Harvard sarcastically said, “Hey, Emma, don’t go home first. I haven’t toasted with you.”

Emma lowered her head while she quickly walked toward her car, and Thomas followed suit.

After Emma opened the car door and got inside, she slammed the steering wheel with force to release her anger. Then, she raised her head and breathed a long sigh.

Her suppressed feelings, grievance, objection, and pain burst out at that moment.

Thomas glanced at her and did not express anything. He turned around and looked out the window, appearing aloof.

Emma stepped on the accelerator and quickly left that place, which made her feel uncomfortable.

Halfway through the drive, the aggrieved Emma asked, “Do you know what comments they made about you?”

“What did they say?”

“You’re weak, low, and clueless about improving yourself. Some people even said that you’re a kept man.”

“Oh.”

“Oh? You don’t have any other response when you hear those words?”

Thomas turned around and looked at Emma. “What response do you expect me to give? Feel angry, feel sad, or fight with them?”

Emma bit her bottom lip. She wanted to say something but did not know how she should say it.

She actually just wanted to see Thomas working hard.

Thomas continued to look out the window, but he suddenly asked, “My life over these years has been very boring; do you know what I like to do the most to get rid of the feelings of anger?”

Emma did not answer.

“What I enjoy the most is to watch performances in the circus. I don’t like to see anything that highly complicated, instead, I like to see the clowns performing.”

“Huh?”

Emma glanced at Thomas in puzzlement. She did not understand what he meant.

Could it be that he treated the people who had mocked him during the family dinner as clowns? Hence, it was not from a lack of temper that he did not get angry. He was actually watching their “performance”?

In an instant, Emma felt like she did not quite understand Thomas. The man seemed to be very mysterious, but his expression painted the picture of a timid man.

Was he a strong man or a weak individual?

Back at home…

When Emma and Thomas entered the living room, they saw Johnson sitting on the couch while writing non-stop with a pen. He even scratched his head and seemed to be in deep thought at times.

“Dad, you’re back.”

“Yeah.”

“What did the department say?”

Without raising his head, Johnson answered, “The result’s out. The succession ceremony for the chief officer in charge will be tomorrow. I’ll represent the department and attend. If I can build a relationship with the chief officer in charge, I’ll definitely have a successful career.”

Emma walked over and glanced at the things that Johnson had written. “Dad, what are you writing?”

“A list of gifts.”

“Huh? Who are you gifting?”

Johnson said, “Isn’t it clear? I’m attending the succession ceremony, so how can I go without bringing a gift? Don’t I need to prepare something? But, I don’t know what the chief officer likes. If my gift is cheap, I’m afraid that he’ll despise it. If I give him an expensive gift, I’m afraid that I’ll be criticized. Emma, come and give me an idea.”

Emma shook her head. “How would I know about this?”

Thomas walked over and scanned the list of gifts that Johnson had written on the paper. Most of them were precious items, so they were good enough as gifts. The problem was that Thomas had no interest in those things.

He smiled as he said, “Dad, I think these gifts aren’t sophisticated.”

“Really?”

“You can afford these gifts, but others can also give him the same thing. That won’t allow you to show your sincerity.”

Johnson nodded. “You’re right. What do you think I should give as a gift?”

“Beer.”

“Isn’t beer more common?”

Thomas answered, “You need Rhapsody beer from the West Coast.”

“Oh? What’s so special about it? Is this beer very expensive?”

“Nope.” Thomas explained, “Life on the West Coast is very tough. Every warrior has a wild wish to drink a sip of beer. Rhapsody beer is cheap, as well as strong, and it’s a favorite among low-class warriors.”

Johnson frowned. “How can I give the chief officer beer that’s enjoyed by low-class warriors? He’s from the West Coast, but he’s absolutely not a warrior from the bottom class.”

Thomas said, “On the West Coast, leaders and warriors sleep together in the same place. They eat the same food and drink the same beer. What the warriors love to drink should also be the leaders’ favorite.”

Johnson was finally convinced by Thomas.

Indeed, in terms of understanding the West Coast, he was not as good as Thomas.

“Yeah, I’ll have to try it.

“I’ll get them to buy Rhapsody beer. Thomas, I hope it’s not a mistake for me to believe you.”

Johnson immediately ordered his people to buy the beer.

Right then, Thomas’ phone rang again.

“Boss, the superiors agree. As long as you’re willing to accept the position of chief officer, they don’t mind who attends the succession ceremony.”

Thomas said, “Okay, help me obtain invitations for two.”

“Huh? Wait, Boss, are you kidding me? You’re the chief officer, and you’re supposed to attend the ceremony, but you’ve asked me to attend the ceremony. That’s fine, but you still want me to get you two invitations. Are you ready to be a guest and see me embarrass myself?”

Johnson coldly asked, “Are you trying to disobey my order?”

Samson instantly gave in. “I wouldn’t dare. I’ll follow your orders.”

“Oh yeah, help me remove two names from the attendance list for the ceremony.”

“Whose names?”

Thomas smirked. “Donald Brick and Harvard Hill.”