Chapter 146 You Shouldn't Go to Dinner
When Charlotte's condition stabilized, it was already five in the afternoon.
Aaron and Randy insisted on treating James to a meal, so James had no choice but to agree to go home and change clothes for dinner.
He asked Jacob to call him later.
Then James hailed a cab back to the Smith Family villa.
When James walked into the hall, not only were the Smith Family members there, but Christopher and Joseph were also present.
Everyone looked worried, clearly at a loss about Addison's situation.
James looked surprised. 'Why hasn't Addison returned yet?'
At this moment, Charles spotted him and vented his anger.
"Something big happened at home, and instead of helping, you're out wandering around all day. I don't know what the Smith Family did in a past life to deserve a son-in-law like you."
Christopher said coldly, "Exactly, even Joseph is trying to come up with solutions, but you're just carefree."
Abigail shouted angrily, "Useless! I'm telling you, if anything happens to my mom, I won't let you off."
Mary didn't say anything, but her mood was clearly not good, obviously thinking James had been out playing all day.
James frowned slightly and was about to speak when a horn sounded at the door.
"Who's here?"
Charles and Joseph instinctively stood up.
Then they saw a police car pull up, and Addison stepped out as the door opened.
She walked into the hall with a smile. "Oh, everyone is here."
The crowd instantly erupted.
"Mom, you're back?" Mary rushed up to her. "You're really back?"
Abigail and the others also gathered around. "Mom! Mom!"
Christopher laughed heartily. "Mom, it's so good that you're back safely. We were worried sick."
Joseph was stunned by the scene. Last night, when he asked his parents for help, they scolded him and told him to stay away.
Could it be that his parents had secretly helped him after all?
Whatever the case, Joseph quickly said with a smile, "Congratulations on your return, Auntie. I thought you wouldn't be back until tomorrow morning."
Christopher praised, "That's because of you, Joseph. You are capable, and the Garcia family has a lot of influence."
Charles and Abigail looked at him gratefully.
Mary asked softly, "Mom, were you hurt in there?"
Abigail also held her mother's hand and asked, "Yeah, Mom, did you suffer?"
"No, no, I'm fine."
Addison's face was radiant with a smile. Though she looked a bit tired, her happiness overshadowed it. She waved her hand repeatedly.
"At first, I was really scared; the police were so fierce. Later, when things were clarified, it turned out I had little to do with it. The police not only released me but also treated me kindly. In the end, the deputy chief even came to apologize, saying Mr. Collins had misunderstood me in his haste."
"They also compensated me $1,562,500, which just covered my losses from the pharmaceutical factory, so I was delayed until now. I wanted to call you, but my phone was dead, so I came back directly to surprise you."
She was very happy, not only because she was fine but also because she got $1,562,500 in compensation and met many important people, turning misfortune into a blessing.
"It's good that you're back, but you should really thank Joseph." Charles was also very happy. He recounted the recent events and then pulled Joseph over to Addison.
"You wouldn't know, but this time, it was all thanks to Joseph that you got out smoothly. If it were someone else, you wouldn't have been released before things were cleared up."
"Look at Third Auntie; she's still locked up and can't even think about turning misfortune into a blessing."
Charles patted Joseph on the shoulder and said, "Good kid, good kid."
Christopher nodded repeatedly in agreement. "Yes, yes, Joseph put in a lot of effort, even getting his parents involved."
"Yeah, Joseph spent a lot of money and pulled a lot of strings." Abigail also loudly praised Joseph. "Yesterday, he was driving around while contacting various leaders. It wasn't easy."
"Really?" Addison finally realized, and she shook Joseph's hand with a smile. "Joseph, thank you. The Smith Family owes you a big favor. I knew that if the Smith Family had trouble, you would definitely help and be able to help."
The more she looked at Joseph, the more she liked him.
"Enough said, from now on, this is your home. If you need anything, just ask Auntie."
"Uncle, Auntie, Christopher, it was just a small matter, nothing big."
Joseph's eyelids twitched, but he looked pleased.
"It was really no trouble at all. My parents just had to say a word, and Mr. Collins gave us face. Besides, Mary's matters are my matters. If I don't help her, who will I help?"
James sneered. This Joseph really had no shame. It seemed he hadn't learned his lesson from the Vocal Vista incident.
He didn't expose him, thinking the higher he stood, the harder he'd fall.
"Look at that, Joseph is so humble, not taking credit for his efforts." Abigail was also enthusiastic. "If only my brother-in-law were you."
Mary's expression was complicated. "Sis, watch what you say. I'm married."
She had been trying to avoid any entanglement with Joseph, but the Smith Family still owed him a big favor.
"Married? Is that what you call married? Did you marry a man?" Abigail snorted, "Someone who can't help at all, I don't know why you keep him around."
"Of course, to clean the toilets." Christopher's words were filled with mockery and sarcasm. "Besides, he knows Olivia. Maybe Mom got out this time because James used his connection with Olivia."
Abigail and the others burst into laughter.
"Hmph, I don't know what bad things the Smith Family did to end up with such a useless son-in-law."
The more Addison looked at James, the less she liked him.
A useless person who couldn't help at all and only cared about his own happiness, versus a wealthy young man who got her out of the police station.
Addison really regretted not letting Mary choose Joseph.
"Mom, stop talking."
Although she didn't know why James disappeared for a day at a critical moment, Mary, who had decided to start over, tried to ease the tension.
So she gritted her teeth and interrupted Addison, not letting James be further embarrassed.
Then she turned to Joseph. "Joseph, we really appreciate what you did this time."
Joseph cleared his throat and said, "It was nothing. My dad has connections, my mom is a former leader, and Aaron had to give us face. And about the Vocal Vista incident, although I lost my mind for love, it was ultimately my fault, so I had to make up for it this time."
Addison admired him even more. Joseph was still single. If Mary divorced James and married Joseph, the Smith Family would be perfect.
Charles also smiled. "Joseph, having a background is great. Please look after Mary more in the future."
Joseph replied politely, "Uncle, Auntie, you're too kind. No matter how capable I am, we're all family. As family, we should support each other and not make mistakes at critical moments."
He continued, "No matter how the Smith Family sees me, in my heart, I consider myself half a son of the Smith Family."
Joseph's words were impeccable, leaving no room for criticism. Christopher and his wife both gave him a thumbs up.
Charles and Addison were also very pleased as if Joseph were really their son-in-law.
"Alright, alright, let's not say more." Charles asserted his authority as the head of the family. "Christopher, book a private room at Enchanted Vine Tavern, the best one. Tonight, we need to celebrate your mom's safe return. And also properly thank Joseph."
"Besides, book an extra table and invite the relatives. Make sure to order expensive dishes; I'll be upset if you order cheap ones," Charles added.
Christopher immediately made the call.
"James, you don't need to go. You'll just embarrass us." Addison looked at James. "While I was locked up, no one cleaned the house. You stay home and tidy up. We'll bring you back some food."
Mary shouted, "Mom, if James doesn't go, I won't go either."
"What nonsense is that?" Addison directly dragged Mary out the door, not giving her a chance to resist. "I have something very important to discuss with you."
Abigail also chimed in, "Exactly, James has been playing around these days and hasn't helped at all. Let him stay home and reflect."
Christopher and the others also left with Joseph.
The large villa quickly became empty, leaving James all alone.
At that moment, James' phone rang. He picked it up and heard Jacob's cheerful voice.
"James, it's Jacob. Mr. Collins has booked the entire Enchanted Vine Tavern and invites you to join us."
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