Helen stammered, “I…I’m really happy you coulde.”


    She wanted to clear the air after her misunderstanding with Frank before but did not know where to


    start.


    Frank did not nce at her twice, however, and turned as he headed inside the hall.


    Zeb chuckled by the entrance just then. “Hey, what present did you bring?”


    Frank shot him a look. “Do I have to tell you?”


    Zebughed coldly. “Haha! Just worried you can’t afford anything for Mr. Lane’s eightieth birthday.


    Should I lend you some money?”


    Frank nced at the present box he was holding and could tell it was another vase from its size.


    He chuckled. “What, you bought another vase? Watch out and don’t trip over yourself this time.”


    “Fuck off…” Zeb snapped, though he was tightening his grip around his present.


    Frank sneered as he entered the banquet hall.


    Henry was at the host table, his eyes closed to rest after some small talk with a group of bigwigs.


    He would rather not be a part of such a grand celebration but had no choice to do so.


    It was his eightieth birthday after all, and his grandchildren had all worked hard for it, not to mention


    that this benefited the family business‘ development.


    As he opened his eyes and saw Frank, he immediately got up and waved. “Frank, over here.”


    Frank hurried to him, smiling, “Congrattions, Gramps-”


    “Oh, save the braindead drivel.” Henry chuckled, tugging at his arm. “Come here, sit.”


    Everyone else was left surprised by Henry’s clear preferential treatment of Frank, and they were all


    pointing and gesturing at Frank.


    “Who’s the kid? Henry Lane is so friendly with him…‘


    “No idea.”


    ”


    One of the more knowledgeable ones said, “That’s Helen’s ex–husband.”


    “Ex–husband? Really? Why divorce him? He’s such a looker…”


    “What good is a pretty face? Man’s never held a job for three years and kept goofing off. If he did, more


    would have known about him.”


    Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    Everyone realized a start. “So he’s just some freeloading piece of shit? No wonder Helen divorced


    him.”


    Meanwhile, Henry pulled Frank to the main table and had Frank sit beside him.


    Gina, Peter, and Cindy were there too, and Gina was already snapping at Frank, “He’s not


    family, Henry. It’s inappropriate to let him sit here.”


    Henry rolled his eyes. “He’s my grandson as far as I’m concerned, and I can have him sit wherever I


    want. You can switch tables if you don’t like it.”


    “What…” Gina was left stumped, while Peter pursed his lips beside them.


    Zeb arrived just then, immediately greeting Henry, “Wishing you a happy birthday and many happy


    returns…”


    Henry never liked him and merely nodded.


    Gina and the rest, however, were awash with enthusiasm.