Rise of The Forgotten Heir

Brokering A Deal

"You think because we took pity on you and allowed you to live with us, you can just waltz in here and try to ruin our reputable family image and the joyous ambiance of this event?"

Morraine looked askance at Jonah as she said "You're such an embarrassment, look at how mediocre you look. I promise you I will make sure my daughter divorces you. It's such a waste for Ava to be with you. She deserves a man who can take care of her or at least himself"

Jonah still wore an inexpressive face. At that moment, his father's words echoed in his head. He taught him to not let his anger control him, so Jonah suppressed the rage slowly building within him and shifted his gaze toward Ava, who had a downtrodden look on her face.

She did not expect that her mother would go off on Jonah that publicly. Although she despised him for being poor and spineless, he was still her husband.

At this time, when the onlookers heard Morraine's remarks, they looked at Jonah with spite and sympathy as they whispered, "That guy is so shameless. Why come here when you were not invited?"

"You're right. Just look at his cheap suit, I bet it's not even up to a hundred dollars. Didn't he look himself in the mirror before coming here? I hope Morraine calls the security on him",

"That is just what he deserves, to be thrown to the street where he belongs. We can't have filth like that in here ruining this lovely buffet"

Jonah heaved a sigh of dismay and regret and was about to speak when Morraine chided "Get out!", crossing her arms over her chest looking pompous and snobbish

The frown on Jonah's face grew deeper, "The mayor invited me" he blurted without any thought, and the entire place was filled with silence for some seconds

Everyone around was extremely shocked by his comments, then suddenly they burst into a peal of loud mocking laughter

Their shrill voices resonated across the hall "Who does this guy think he is?",

"It's okay to be poor, just don't be so arrogant",

"Really? The Mayor? He wouldn't even notice him even if they were in the same room"

Listening to the remarks from the crowd who was taking her side, Morraine smiled satisfyingly. She couldn't wait to watch this poor loser kicked out and hence called the security guards over

The noise attracted the attention of the Mayor, as he stepped into the hall. When he saw that Jonah was being pestered by the other guests, he hurriedly approached them,

The crowd was astonished when they saw the Mayor approach them. They stared at him in bewilderment, stunned. Morraine's expression changed as she quickly approached him,

"Mr Mayor. Welcome sir", she hurriedly changed her address, speaking to him in a respectful tone

She assumed that her gentle approach and kind tone would flatter the Mayor, especially when she tells him that she'd taken care of the uninvited guest, Jonah, and instructed the guards to kick him out

Hence, she turned towards the guards with a disdainful glare and shouted "What are you two still standing around for, kick that bastard out right now. Can't you see that the Mayor is here?"

Morriane did not see the Mayor's expression change. His eyes flashed with anger as she continued yelling at and insulting Jonah

"Don't you know it is insulting to have this trash in here? Kick him out right now!" Morraine snorted

"If Mr Smith is not welcomed, then I'm leaving with him" a deep male charismatic voice echoed in the room, and everyone turned their gaze to meet the Vice President of Grindel Capital, Jerry Paul, standing behind the Mayor

"Mr Paul, please let me handle this" The Mayor uttered apologetically, then marched towards Morraine angrily, his breath heavy, and a stern glare filled with wrath and fury

He swung his hand across Morraine's face and growled in great dismay "You stupid woman! How dare you offend Mr Smith! Do you wish to die?" Lowe had spent a lot inviting Grindel Capital to the city, and could not afford to let this snobbish pompous woman ruin the event

"Get out!" He yelled furiously

Morraine felt blood drained off her face and became calm instantly. She realized she had aimed her flattery in the wrong direction. She was so frightful that she might not get a chance to collaborate with Grindel Capital, that she quickly apologized and pleaded with the Mayor

"Mr. Lowe, I'm so sorry sir, please forgive me", "It is not me you should be apologizing to" The Mayor snarled angrily

Sure enough, a layer of black covered Morraine's face. She wasn't willing to apologize to Jonah

'No way!' 'How can I apologize to that loser?! I won't do it!'

She glared at Jonah, intimidating him with her gaze, intending to make him submit and scurry away like an abused dog.

However, Jonah did not move, he stood still with his head high and a bold face. Morraine was shocked and confused,

Why is he still here? Jonah no longer seemed like the pathetic son-in-law that he was a year ago before he was kicked out. He seemed more confident and authoritative.

On the other hand, Jonah had stayed calm and quiet, allowing her the chance to leave with some shreds of respect. He shot her a coy smile, as she scowled at him

Frustrated, Morraine groaned, turned to Ava, and said "We're leaving"

Enduring the humiliation, she was so angry, her whole body was shaking, gritting her teeth annoyingly

Ava's eyes were still wide with shock as she watched the whole thing unfold, feeling that her husband was different than before. Although, she couldn't really tell what it was, when she saw the confident look Jonah wore on his face, she couldn't help but wonder what kind of relationship he had with the VP

"I'm sorry" she whispered as she walked past him, following her mother out of the hall

Shortly after, the hall returned to normalcy, although some of the guests who taunted and supported Morraine, could not help but feel nervous around Jonah, wondering if he would get them kicked out as well

However, some were deeply curious about the belittled live-in son-in-law of the Smith family, astonished and started to murmur

"Do you think he's working in the Grindel Capital?"

"Most likely. Why else would the VP stand up for him?",

Jonah did not utter a word, he shot Jerry a knowing look, grabbed a plate of food and a beer, and walked to the corner of the hall, leaving the crowd even more confused

Meanwhile, on the way home, Morraine succumbed to her anger and started cursing Jonah again, "That bastard! Who does he think he is to disrespect me in front of the Mayor and VP?",

The more she replayed the scene in her head, the less sense it made, and at that point, she assumed that Jonah must have a relationship with the VP of Grindel Capital

'He's probably the driver' She thought

However, Ava sat quietly in the back seat of the car. She still did not know how to react, Jonah had changed, he seemed mysterious, stronger, and cool as well

This wasn't the same Jonah from one year ago, this Jonah intrigued her

Where and how did he have such strong confidence all of a sudden?