Chapter 152: Public Accusation
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Bruce Hale, the patriarch of the Hale family, stood at the front of the banquet hall. When he raised his hand, the thousands of guests in the hall immediately fell silent.
Bruce coughed twice to clear his throat and began to speak, “It’s the baby shower of my great-grandson today. Everyone present is a guest of the Hales. I hereby thank you all for taking the time to attend the banquet tonight on behalf of the Hale family! Please make yourselves at home and enjoy yourselves!”
Although Bruce was on in years, he was still energetic, and his voice was loud and clear. His speech attracted everyone’s applause!
Afterward, many people took out the gifts that they had meticulously prepared and went forward to present them.
Apart from the usual gifts such as gold jewelry and ornaments, there were also many precious antiques and expensive items. At first glance, they didn’t seem like congratulatory gifts for a baby but gifts for the Hales.
After all, the last time the Hales held such a grand banquet was a few years ago to celebrate Bruce’s 70th birthday. Now that the Hales were holding such a grand banquet again, those who had been wanting to forge closer ties with the Hales rushed to take advantage of this opportunity to show their goodwill. Thus, the gifts were all expensive and valuable.
Bruce and Connor were both smiling politely as they thanked each and every person who presented them with congratulatory gifts.
The total value of the gifts was extremely high. But being a megarich family, the Hales were used to owning lots of valuables, so the gifts didn’t hold too much attraction to them.
Besides, the Hales were also aware of the intentions of the numerous families presenting the expensive gifts—to express their desire to be acquainted with the Hales.
At this moment, Seth, who had tried to humiliate Lucas at the entrance but ended up making a fool of himself, arrived at the banquet hall with his father.
Seth’s father, Daniel Miller, was a middle-aged man in his fifties. With a smile on his flushed and radiant face, he walked over and said to Bruce, “Old Mr. Hale, congratulations on the birth of your great-grandson! The baby looks very intelligent. He will surely become a great talent in the future! I’m presenting him with an ark ornament to wish him a smooth-sailing life and great health!”
Daniel instructed his people to carry a three-feet tall bejeweled ark over.
The ark was put together with gold wire and had a bright red coral base. The hull was embellished with countless agate and onyx gems, and the ‘sea waves’ were made using large pieces of carved dark-green jade. They were all extremely exquisite and expensive!
The three-feet tall ark glistened under the light of the chandelier, making it look remarkably opulent!
As soon as he presented the gift, countless gazes were cast on them, and many guests began exclaiming in envy. The wives of rich men who loved treasures couldn’t take their eyes off the bejeweled ark at all.
“Oh my G.o.d. The Millers are impressive! They gave such a large bejeweled ark. It’s probably worth at least a few million dollars!”
“It must be! Look at all the jade pieces, precious gems, jadeites, and the exquisite craftsmans.h.i.+p. It’s definitely expensive!”
“It seems that the Millers have really spent a bomb this time. But if it makes the Hales pleased and willing to support them in the future, it’s definitely worth it!”
“Yes! The Millers aren’t fools either. Since they spent so much money on such an expensive gift, their returns will certainly be incredible! Unfortunately, we can’t afford such an expensive gift. Otherwise, I’d have definitely given a rare treasure to gain the favor of the Hales!”
…
The crowd whispered and discussed, and many people were green with envy.
Even the Hales, who were used to seeing exotic treasures, couldn’t help but marvel at the exquisite, beautiful, and precious bejeweled ark in front of them.
Bruce smiled at the Millers gently. “Daniel, it’s good enough that you’re here to celebrate my great-grandson’s baby shower. What are you being so polite for? This gift is too precious and valuable. I’ll accept it and thank you on my great-grandson’s behalf.”
Seeing the Hales accept the gift with satisfaction, Daniel was smug and delighted. Indeed, after giving such a valuable gift, the Hales’ att.i.tude toward him was obviously different from their att.i.tude toward others.
Clearly, the Millers’ relations.h.i.+p with the Hales would only become closer in the future!
At the thought of the scene of the Millers soaring to success in the future, Daniel’s heart was br.i.m.m.i.n.g with excitement. After looking at his son, Seth, he suddenly said, “Old Mr. Hale, I still have one more thing to report to you, but… I don’t know if I should.”
Bruce a.s.sented and said nonchalantly, “What is it? Feel free to tell me.”
Daniel pointed to Seth, who was standing beside him and had a red and swollen face. “This is my unfilial son, Seth. He originally came to congratulate you and Mr. Hale with good intentions, but just now, he ran into a crook outside who beat him up badly.”
Seth did seem to be in a terrible state. His cheeks were swollen, the palm marks on his face were extremely obvious, and his hair was all messed up. He indeed seemed to have been bullied.
Bruce frowned slightly.
Immediately afterward, Daniel hurriedly continued, “In the beginning, I didn’t want to be a spoilsport and bring it up since it’s your great-grandson’s baby shower. However, after beating up my son, that crook s.n.a.t.c.hed the Hales’ invitation card to the banquet from my son and is now sitting proudly in the middle of the hall!
“I really think that this person might do something terrible to the guests, so I dared not hide it!”
The hall full of guests was in an uproar, except for the very few people who had witnessed the entire dispute between Lucas and Seth at the entrance.
They didn’t expect that there would be such a brazen person at the entrance of the Hales’ banquet!
At the same time, many of them suddenly thought of something and began looking at Lucas speculatively with apprehension.
Daniel extended his arm and pointed at Lucas. “This is the person who s.n.a.t.c.hed away the invitation card!”
The uproar in the hall immediately became louder.
Just ten minutes ago, Bryce had questioned Lucas and made him take out Hales’ invitation card. Lucas had indeed managed to produce one in the end, which was then proven genuine.
However, Daniel now pointed out that Lucas had actually s.n.a.t.c.hed the invitation card from Seth!