Chapter 444 Thelonious Gonzales
William took the small box from Harper's hand, gave it a quick look, and popped it open.
He was floored. It was exactly what he thought it was!
Snapping the lid shut, he turned to Harper and asked, "How's he doing now?"
Harper shook her head, looking a mix of worried and helpless. "He's not doing well. The doctor says he doesn't have much time left. He wants to see you."
"Alright, I'll find time to head to Radiant Harbor City," William said after a pause.
His grandpa Zekiel might have some secrets about his mom's accident.
"By the way, Thelonious Gonzales is coming tonight. Be careful. Word is, he's here partly for his nephews and partly because of the underground trade association," Harper warned.
William shook his head, unfamiliar with the name. "Who's he?" he asked Harper.
Harper nodded. "I've heard of him. He's a bit of an oddball. Though he hold no power within the Gonzales family, he is instrumental in resolving many of their issues, serving as their trusted advisor."
William's interest was piqued.
After a few more words, Harper left.
Sure enough, someone showed up at the hospital that evening with a greeting card.
The card was signed: Thelonious Gonzales.
When Mary saw it, she was shocked and looked at William, saying, "William, it's Thelonious. What do we do?"
"I've heard of him. He's a big deal in the Gonzales family and well-known in business circles. He once took down a billionaire with just ten million dollars. He's practically a legend."
William looked at her worried face, puzzled. "Do you know him?"
Mary nodded, looking concerned. "William, I think this might have something to do with the fight we had with Lazlo last time."
It made sense the Gonzales family would come looking for them.
"Don't worry, I'll handle it," William said with a reassuring smile.
"No, I have to go tonight," Mary insisted, shaking her head. She got up and started changing her clothes.
Seeing how determined she was, William had no choice but to agree, though he kept reminding her to stay calm. Mary promised she would.
Dawn's Delight was a classic restaurant in Lindwood City, around for over a century. You needed more than just money to dine there; you had to be a member and book in advance.
Thelonious had set up a banquet there, waiting for William and Mary.
He knew they'd show up.
After days of effort, everything hinged on tonight.
Mary's car pulled up at Dawn's Delight, and William got out with her. Thelonious's secretary was already waiting for them.
"Ms. Smith, Mr. Jones, please follow me. Our chairman is waiting for you upstairs," the secretary said with a smile.
He glanced quickly at Mary before locking eyes with William, a glint in his gaze.
The private room table was loaded with dishes. Thelonious, in a suit, sat at the head, looking proud and deep in thought.
When William and Mary walked in, Thelonious looked up, glanced at Mary, then fixed his eyes on William.
William raised an eyebrow, his eyes sharp. Their gazes met, and the tension was palpable.
Thelonious was losing his cool right from the start.
Mary sensed something was off. She had a pretty good idea of what Thelonious was planning tonight.
Naturally, she had a plan of her own.
"Ms. Smith, Mr. Jones, please, have a seat," Thelonious said, standing up with a smile and gesturing to the chairs.
The large private room felt almost empty with just the three of them.
Thelonious smiled at Mary and said, "Ms. Smith, I've heard a lot about you in Imperial City. Now that we've met, I can see you truly live up to your reputation. You are indeed a remarkable woman!"
Mary smiled back. "Thank you for the compliment. But you're the truly outstanding one. I've heard about your impressive achievements as well."
Thelonious nodded, knowing they were just exchanging pleasantries.
He turned to William. "It's quite rare to have Mr. Jones here today. Let me toast to you first. I hope tonight's dinner can clear up the misunderstandings between you and my family."
'Interesting,' William thought, his eyes revealing a hint of coldness.
With a slight smile, he looked at Thelonious but didn't raise his glass. "Mr. Gonzales, you're too kind. But why haven't I seen Lazlo today? I was hoping to have a drink with him and bury the hatchet."
Mary shot William a look. He was clearly trying to provoke Thelonious.
As expected, Thelonious's face twitched imperceptibly at William's remark.
William was pushing his buttons. His nephew Lazlo had just been sent to the hospital again.
Now William sat there with a carefree smile, acting like nothing had happened and it had nothing to do with him.
'Bury the hatchet? Lazlo is lying in the hospital, suffering every day, thinking about how to get revenge. How dare you say that?Tonight, I must teach you a lesson and avenge my nephew,' Thelonious thought, his eyes burning with anger as he stared at William, his body trembling.
Thelonious, being shrewd, knew that despite his overwhelming anger and the urge to tear William to pieces, now was not the time. He had to be patient and eventually managed to suppress the fury within him.
William pretended not to notice the change in Thelonious's eyes and asked curiously, "Mr. Gonzales, what's wrong? Why is your face so red? We haven't even started drinking, and you're already feeling unwell?"
Even someone as shrewd as Thelonious couldn't keep his composure when faced with William's shamelessness.
Mary's mouth twitched at William's words.
Thelonious's gaze lingered on William's face for a few seconds before he suddenly burst into laughter.
His previously downcast expression brightened instantly, leaving everyone perplexed.
William joined in with a hearty laugh, and the two of them laughed so loudly in the private room that anyone who didn't know would think they were great friends.
"Youth is wonderful. We old folks are being replaced by you young people," Thelonious remarked, his eyes wrinkling from laughing so hard.
He clapped his hands, saying, "This era still belongs to you young people. It seems we old men should retire."
William laughed and said, "No, you're not old at all. You look just as young as those boys on the street, barely grown."
Hearing this, Thelonious couldn't help but slam the table and shout, "William, what do you mean?"
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