Chapter 3

At the mention of our son, Madison replied in forced calmness, “He’s playing with the other kids in the garden. Lucas is getting naughtier. He even said he missed his grandfather. I told him to be patient and to wait for Anderson to finish up before coming to play with him…”

She suddenly changed the subject and complained, “Speaking of Lucas, he’s learned to lie. He stole a piece of cake yesterday, but he kept denying it. You have to tell him off when you see him. If you don’t, we’ll never be able to get him to do what we want.”

I scoffed to myself. Something was definitely up with Madison.

Lucas had only ever been good and obedient. He would never lie.

Besides, the security footage had shown me the truth. Lucas was already being subjected to abuse.

Madison kept up with her fibbing. Clearly, she was doing her best to hide the truth, terrified that I would learn what was truly going on.

“Is that right? I’ll go and tell him off right now.”

I did not stop walking and kept moving forward.

Madison became more anxious. She grabbed my arm and intentionally shoved her bosom at me. Softly, she said, “Forget about Lucas for a moment, honey. It’s been a long time since we’ve been together. I want you.”

Did she think I was such a base and uncouth man? How dare she try to charm me with her feminine wiles at that juncture?

Scowling, I shook her off and kicked the living room door open with a loud bang.

In an instant, the noisy mansion went deathly quiet.

My younger sister, Alexa, who had been dancing with an old man I did not know, was the first to speak up. “Which rude heathen dares to kick our door open?” she burst out.

She angrily turned around. When she met my gaze, her face went white.

“C-Conway…”

“And here I was wondering who it was. The great negotiator is back.” My second brother, Jonah, stood up languidly with a false smile on his face. “It’s our father’s birthday today. Are you here to celebrate as well? But it’s exceptionally rude to enter by kicking down the door.”

Everything became clear to me when I saw his reaction. Instantly, I realized that every single member of my family was an ungrateful wretch.

The surrounding guests all began to turn distasteful glances at me.

“It’s bad enough that he came to Mr. Ford Senior’s birthday without a gift. How dare he kick down the door? Which company does this supposed negotiator belong to? He’s much too rude.”

“Exactly. He must be trying to get attention because he’s late to the Ford family’s banquet.”

“Ah, Mr. Ford Senior is so unlucky to encounter this jinx on his big day.”

I swept my gaze over the guests. They were all unfamiliar to me. None of the important or influential people of Brushcove were present.

However, based on their manner of speech, these people were neighbors from Somerset.

Did these people think my home was some community center?

My eyes narrowed as I looked at the person sitting in the place of honor.

“Who are you?”

The old man’s expression darkened. He banged his hand on the table and stood up. The hideous, gaudy class ring on his finger glinted.

“Where did this punk come from? Who do you think you are? How can you not know who I am when you’re here for my birthday banquet? I’ll tell you who I am. I’m the chairman of the Viapent Group’s board! I’m Anderson Ford!”

The guests agreed immediately and started to add their voices.

“What an ignorant sod!”

“Hurry up and apologize! Stop causing a fuss at Mr. Ford’s banquet!”

The old man glared at me.

“And where’s your present? Show it to me. Everyone here is someone important. You’d better not have brought some cheap trinket.”

I chuckled.

“You’re Anderson Ford? In that case, where’s your son, Conway?”

The old man snickered, his expression disdainful. “You’re just a poor sod. You didn’t even bring a gift, but you want to see my son? Please take a look at yourself in the mirror!

“My son is the president of the Viapent Group! He’s a powerful man whose time is worth a lot of money! Do you think you can see him whenever you want?”

I put a black card on the table and slowly pushed it forward. Casually, I said, “What if I’m willing to pay 200 million dollars to see him? Could that be arranged?”