*****His mother was still seated comfortably, listening to his mother-in-law ramble on in animated celebration, her face glowing with excitement as though she had personally conquered the world.His father, on the other hand, stood firmly beside his father-in-law, nodding along with supportive enthusiasm, occasionally adding a word or two that only seemed to fuel the already unstoppable momentum.The entire scene was lively, noisy, and overflowing with joy.Little Lola had already returned to her corner, completely absorbed in her Labubu toys, humming softly to herself as though nothing else in the world mattered.Not one of them looked up, reacted, or even noticed that Xavier had left… or returned.Xavier paused slightly at this, glancing around with a faint, wry smile creeping onto his face.“…Wow,” he muttered internally. “So this is my position in the family.”For a brief second, he actually looked like he might file a complaint.Then he shook his head lightly, amused mo

*****The three women and Little Lola moved first, sticking close behind Xavier, their steps quick, and their eyes already gleaming with anticipation.Little Lola, in particular, looked like she might burst at any moment, her tiny fists clenched in excitement as she bounced along.Behind them, David and Williams followed at a more measured pace, appearing utterly calm… but their eyes betrayed them.Before long, they reached the exit, and just as they were about to step out…Xavier stopped, then turned.“Please, everyone… kindly close your eyes,” he said politely, though the mysterious glint in his gaze and smug grin on his lips had intensified to an almost suspicious degree.“This…”Brows furrowed instantly.‘Close our eyes?’‘What kind of gift needs blindness to work?’‘Is this still a gift or a plot twist?’Their curiosity skyrocketed, colliding violently with mild suspicion. But in the end…They complied.One after the other, their eyes closed, all of them choosing to

*****At the same time, inside a car dealership.It was already approaching evening… around five, and yet the place remained lively, buzzing with activity as though the day had only just begun.Customers still flowed in and out steadily.Employees still moved with practiced efficiency, greeting each visitor with polished smiles that could probably sell ice to a snowman.Deals were still being negotiated, voices rising and falling in calculated persuasion.Somewhere deeper inside, engines were still being revved and admired.Everything remained smooth, orderly, and predictable as ever.This was the same dealership Xavier had visited a few hours earlier… the one that had delayed him endlessly, force-feeding him cup after cup of coffee until he was dangerously close to staging a caffeine-fueled rebellion.[Reference: Chapter 1202]The receptionist… the very woman responsible for his earlier suffering, had returned to her usual self.Gone was the strange behavior from before, a

*****“Cat got your tongues?” the speaker… the van’s driver, a towering, broad-shouldered man, continued, his voice dripping with icy coldness as his gaze swept across the crowd like a blade, his murderous intent pressing down on everyone present so heavily that it felt as though invisible hands had wrapped around their hearts, squeezing without mercy.At once, everyone flinched, their shoulders jerking and their spines stiffening, their breathing caught in their throat.In the very next second, their single gazes instinctively dropped in terrified submission… as if maintaining eye contact for even a second longer would be interpreted as a death wish they were not ready to fulfill.Seeing this, the man’s eyes flashed with a chilling satisfaction, the kind that came from absolute control… from knowing that every single life before him hung by a thread he could snap at will.“Since none of you can speak,” he began, his tone calm and final… like someone about to discuss the weather

*****“Boohoo!!! My wife is about to give birth! I came to purchase a new family vehicle!” someone wailed, tears streaming uncontrollably, his face contorting into a tragic masterpiece of fear, horror, and regret.At that point, dignity had officially resigned, and self-respect.It was nowhere to be found at the moment.The entire dealership devolved into a chaotic orchestra of panic… overlapping cries, broken pleas, dramatic sobs, and at least one man who looked ready to write his will verbally on the spot.Some even bowed repeatedly, knocking their heads on the ground in utter desperation.Every single person present… the clients, customers, janitors, security team, and even the kids.Witnessing this pitiful display, the Rivercrest Patriarch’s brow creased ever so slightly, appearing completely dissatisfied and annoyed.It was such a subtle change in expression that most people wouldn’t notice it, even if they stared for a long time.But the Right-hand man… his eyes sharpen