Still, this was Neon City after all. Even a low-ranking second-tier family here would easily stand among the elite in other second-tier cities.For this reason, though the Mellon Family had fallen on harder times, their residence remained utterly lavish. This sprawling luxury villa was worth no less than 100 million US dollars.The taxi Alan took could only pull up at the entrance of the villa compound. Security here was extremely tight, so he got out and called Caroline to come pick him up.Thrilled to hear Alan had arrived, Caroline hurried out to greet him at once.She looked lovely today. For her grandmother’s birthday celebration, she had put on a subtle makeup, exuding grace and poise.Spotting Alan, she greeted him joyfully. Alan, you’re here!She ran over and linked her arm through his, pulling him toward the gate, unable to hide her excitement. Come on. I’ll introduce you to my parents later.Alan gently pulled his arm away, looking embarrassed. Caroline, we shouldn’t act lik

Caroline was startled and blurted out, Cousin, what’s the meaning of this? Alan is our guest—how can you speak to him like that?Jess ground his teeth and snapped, Do you know why I had to undergo surgery?Caroline replied without hesitation, Mom told me you swallowed a necklace.That’s right! Jess seethed with rage. And who’s to blame for me swallowing it? This bastard right here!Alan let out a scoff. Young Master Jess, speak reasonably and act honorably. Did I force that necklace down your throat? Did I pry your mouth open and shove it into your stomach?Jess fell silent.What could he say?Alan’s words held truth. Alan had not physically forced him to swallow the necklace. Jess had lost their bet, lost face, and swallowed it of his own bitter resolve.Yet deep down, he still blamed Alan for everything.Fuming, Jess shouted sharply, Alan, don’t split hairs with me! I’m settling this score with you once and for all!Ignoring his outburst, Alan turned to the elderly matriarch and hel

If Langston also grew hostile toward Alan, Alan would be doomed for certain this time!Not only would he force Alan to swallow the fan, he would make him kneel down and call him grandpa too.He pointed straight at Alan and blurted out, Mr. Langston, this is the fool right here!Langston’s attention had been fixed entirely on Caroline just now, surrounded by the fawning Mellon family members, so he had not spotted Alan standing a short distance away at all.He followed Jess’s pointing finger to look at Alan, and instantly got the fright of his life.Alan?! What is he doing here?The thought sent a chill down his spine—Alan had effortlessly crippled a War God and a Realm Lord, and even left four male members of his own family infertile.Yet far more terrifying than Alan’s unfathomable strength was his true identity.Back in the Austin Group conference room, Alan had revealed who he really was: the young master of the Smith Family, son of Neon City’s legendary figure John.On top of that

Now that Jess was begging her to intercede with Alan, Caroline truly did not know what to do.Seeing this, Rebecca rushed over to Caroline, bursting into tears and dropping to her knees with a wail. Caroline, do your aunt a favor and beg Mr. Alan nicely. If he shows mercy and spares your cousin this once, I’ll kneel before you!Caroline hurried to hold her up, yet Rebecca insisted on sinking to her knees, leaving the two locked in a stalemate.Unable to bear seeing her aunt kowtow to her, Caroline quickly turned to Alan, her face filled with remorse and pleading. Alan, please, for my sake, let my cousin off the hook just this once.Alan hesitated for a moment and said to her, Let’s step aside and talk privately.Caroline nodded hastily and followed him to a quiet spot, staring at him anxiously, terrified that he might be upset with her.Alan looked at her and asked, Back in Plus City, a pair of brothers tried to assassinate you. Was Jess behind that?Caroline waved her hands quickly.

The moment Rebecca heard this, she suddenly understood that her elder brother’s words, though harsh and unkind, rang entirely true.If Jess landed the family in serious trouble and dragged the Dewinser Family down with him, she, as a daughter-in-law of the Dewinsers, would inevitably bear the brunt of the blame.Most people showed favoritism. Even though the elderly patriarch and matriarch of the Dewinser Household had always treated her kindly, once blame needed to be placed for Jess’s misdeeds, they would certainly hold her more accountable than her husband for failing to raise their son properly.Should the Dewinser elders grow resentful toward her over this, her standing within the family would suffer immensely.After all, the Mellon Family had lost much of its former power. Her birth family could offer little backing, and her husband held no influential position among the Dewinsers, leaving her with shaky status as it was. If her standing deteriorated further because of her son’s