Immortal King

Chapter 20

"Who put this sign here?!" Nancy, with her fiery temper, kicked the sign down.

A few stylishly dressed young men and women came out of the mansion, laughing. "Frank, it's been years. Just a joke, don't mind it," said a young man named Bob Foster, the son of Hanks Foster and Emily's cousin.

Frank quickly waved his hand, indicating he didn't mind. But Nancy wouldn't forgive them easily. She started cursing, "You little brats! How dare you prank your elders? What kind of upbringing did you get? Call your parents out here!"

Frank, anxious, tugged at Nancy's sleeve. He was not brave but not stupid. Bob wouldn't dare do this on his own; it was clearly orchestrated by the family elders. Any confrontation would not benefit them.

Sure enough, a steady voice soon came from the mansion. "Why are beggars causing trouble? Bob, why haven't you driven them away? Don't disturb grandma."

A middle-aged man with a big belly stepped out. Glancing at Nancy, he said, "Oh, it's you, Frank. I thought beggars were making a fuss. Hope you don't mind."

How could Nancy not be angry? She was about to retort when Frank stopped her. "Hanks, it's been years. How are you?" he asked, fawning.

"Hmph, almost starved because of you. How do you think I am?" Hanks sneered, scanning the group. When he saw Jack, his face darkened. "Who brought this guy?"

"Uncle Hanks, I brought him. He's my husband, and since grandma is hosting a family banquet, he should be here," Emily quickly explained, standing protectively in front of Jack.

"Your husband?" Hanks pointed at Jack, his finger trembling. "Did you forget how he caused the Foster family to go bankrupt and drove your grandfather to death?"

"If you insist on bringing him in, don't blame me for being ruthless!" With that, Hanks picked up the sign, placing it back at the door.

Frank and Nancy's faces turned ugly. As they considered asking Jack to leave, a deep voice suddenly said,

"Let them in." Everyone turned to see the elderly matriarch, Ladyship Foster, slowly coming out, supported by younger family members.

Despite her age and cloudy eyes, her gaze was sharp, making everyone feel as though their secrets were laid bare.

Hanks wanted to argue, "Mom, this jerk..." but Ladyship Foster's cane hit the ground, and she firmly commanded, "I said let the guests in!"

Reluctantly, Hanks threw the sign aside. Only then did Jack and the others enter the mansion. The spacious hall was set with seven or eight large round tables, laden with sumptuous dishes.

"Everyone's almost here. Let's begin the banquet," Ladyship Foster said, her eyes sweeping over everyone.

The Foster family members began looking for seats. But then Hanks stood up, saying, "Wait, everyone hold on!"

All eyes turned to him. Hanks continued, "With the Foster family assets restored, I believe the young managers here have taken charge of respective companies. To motivate you to work hard, tonight's family banquet will have a seating arrangement based on monthly earnings."

Pointing to the table nearest Ladyship Foster, he said, "The first table is for those confident of making a monthly profit of five hundred thousand."

Immediately, several of Emily's cousins raised their hands, proudly stepping forward to take their seats. The companies they got were strong, continuing existing operations would easily yield five hundred thousand a month.

Hanks nodded in satisfaction. "Next table is for those making three hundred thousand a month." Another group of young Fosters eagerly took their seats.

He continued setting profit standards for each table. Seeing peers take their seats, Emily's face grew increasingly troubled. The company she took over was on the verge of bankruptcy; breaking even would be a success.

Finally, the last table was filled, leaving only Emily's family awkwardly standing.

"Oh, my old mind forgot about Frank's family," Hanks mocked, drawing laughter from the crowd. "Emily, your company can't even make two thousand a month. How disappointing! How about this: there's a small tea table in the corner. You can sit there," Hanks sneered, eliciting more laughter.

Infuriated, Emily grabbed her parents' hands. "Dad, Mom, Jack, let's go. We're not welcome here; we don't need to stay and be humiliated."

"Wait!" As Emily was about to leave, Jack pulled her back. She looked at him in confusion as he held her hand and walked up to Hanks.

"Uncle Hanks, I want to know, if Emily's company makes a profit of five million a month, which table should we sit at?" Jack's calm question shocked everyone. Was he crazy? The highest table's profit was five hundred thousand; he was claiming ten times that!

"Are you mad?" Hanks glared at Jack, irritated. "If you're here to cause trouble, get out. You have no place here!"

"You didn't answer my question." Jack's gaze turned cold, his voice firm. "I asked if Emily's company makes a monthly profit of five million, where should we sit?"