Chapter 368
I thought, 'Man, I can't even call him sir without shaking. No wonder Quinlan's so scared but still trying to climb the social ladder. No wonder Yves got rejected and didn't even flinch. In front of the Kingsley Family, they're nothing.'
"You're amazing." Vincent walked over, gave my shoulder a pat, and glanced at my hand. "Scars are a man's badge of honor. You were brave, and you deserve a medal of valor."
A medal of valor was such a high honor. I felt a bit overwhelmed. "I'm flattered, but I don't think I deserve it."
"Saving thirty lives. How could you not deserve it?" Vincent said, "If this were the military, you'd definitely get a medal."
The more he praised me, the more nervous I got. It wasn't about insecurity; it was the massive class gap between us. I thought, 'Can a beggar chat with a billionaire?'
"Don't be so formal."
"Yes." I forced myself to say.
"Relax. I called you here today to thank you and share a simple meal. Come on, let's eat."
I nodded but didn't dare to move much. I barely touched the chair. The food on the table looked simple but tasted amazing.
Vincent said, "I heard you're from Sevan City. I asked the chef to cook some specialties from Sevan City. Hope you like them. Try some."
I only dared to eat after he did. Then I said, "Very delicious."
"That's good," Vincent said, "I wanted to have a drink with you , but since you're injured, it's not suitable for you to drink. I'll use tea instead of wine to toast to your bravery!"
I quickly stood up. "I should be the one to toast to you."
Seeing us toasting back and forth, Celelia said, "Alright, you two, stop toasting each other."
She put a piece of meat in my bowl. "John, come over often when you're free. Abigail doesn't go out much and doesn't have many friends. You young people should talk more."
"Okay." I nodded, but my heart was racing, knowing what she meant by that. This level of mothers-in-law was too much.
Wendy chimed in, "Mrs. Kingsley, I think John and Abigail are a good match."
"Wendy!" Abigail blushed. Saying such things in front of her parents was so embarrassing.
Not to mention, I was also very embarrassed.
"Alright, that's not your concern. Let's eat," Celelia said.
After the meal, Vincent had some business to attend to, so he only sat with me for a while before leaving.
For an officer like him to come and see me personally, what an honor. I was beyond flattered.
Celelia said, "As I get older, I get sleepy easily. Abigail, keep John company. Wendy, come with me to the backyard."
Wendy gave me an ambiguous look and mouthed the words "Good luck!"
Now it was just Abigail and me in the study, and the atmosphere instantly changed.
She blushed and lowered her head, and I was also very awkward. "Ms. Kingsley, I actually have a girlfriend."
As soon as I said that, Abigail's face turned pale in an instant.
"Really?" Abigail asked, her beauty making me feel pity.
"Yes!" Now that no one else was around, it was a good time to clarify things to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings. "I love my girlfriend very much."
"Then I wish you both the best." She tucked her hair behind her ear. I could tell she was a bit flustered.
"But we can definitely be good friends." I smiled at her.
"Okay, then let's be good friends." Abigail smiled too, though I could tell she was hiding her disappointment.
To lighten the mood, I did my best to make her laugh. I hung out at the mansion until about three in the afternoon before heading out.
Looking back, it felt surreal. I actually had a meal with the Kingsley Family.
On my cab ride back to my apartment, I got a call from Quinlan. "Did you really have dinner with the Kingsley Family?"
I said, "Yeah, how'd you know?"
"Never mind that. Who was there?"
"Abigail's parents and Wendy."
He practically shouted, "You're really lucky."
"How about you go into the fire and save people?"
Quinlan laughed awkwardly. "Nah, I don't have the guts. You're gonna be rich. With the Kingsley Family backing you, hardly anyone in Greenvale City can mess with you."
"Don't overthink it. It was just a meal."
"You don't get how things work in Greenvale City. You'll see."
After hanging up, I thought, 'When did the Kingsley Family become my backing? That's crazy talk.'
Then Richard called, saying something similar to Quinlan. "John, are you free tonight? My dad wants to meet you."
I replied, "I'm kinda tired. How about in a couple of days?"
"Where do you live? I'll bring you some gifts!"
"No need, really."
"What do you mean no need? After all the danger you've been through, you gotta accept these gifts."
I couldn't argue with him, so I gave him my location. Ten minutes later, a Rolls-Royce pulled up.
Richard opened the trunk, and it was packed with the world's most expensive gifts.
I said, "These gifts are too valuable."
"This is nothing," Richard said. "What I brought you isn't even a tenth of what Connie prepared for you!"
I thought, 'This is too much.'
He continued, "Anyway, you gotta come to my house for dinner in the next couple of days, or my dad will get disappointed!"
"Alright, I'll definitely come." I didn't refuse anymore, to avoid seeming pretentious.
At this point, my mindset had changed. Maybe I could really open a branch in Greenvale City ahead of schedule.
As for Yves, I was not worried anymore. After all, I had people to help me now. If Yves wanted to be my enemy, it wouldn't be easy.
After Richard left, Yves called. "Where are you?"
"I'm at home."
"Good, I'm coming over!"
Twenty minutes later, a stretch Bentley pulled into the complex. Once inside the car, Yves asked, "About the favor I asked you before, are you still willing to help?"
I smiled. Just as I expected, he came over because he realized he couldn't threaten me anymore.
In fact, Yves and I had no real grudges.
I said, "Of course, I promised, so I won't go back on my word."
"Good!" Yves nodded, smiling. "You're lucky and smart. A lucky and smart person always has many friends. This is a gift for you. Take care of yourself. The previous issues are all cleared up. That company can operate normally. I guarantee no one will bother you again."
I nodded. "Thanks, but I don't need the gift. My room is already full."
"Take it. It's a token of my appreciation."
After he left, I opened the box. Inside were the finest cigars.
That afternoon, I got a bunch of calls from strangers, all rich kids and ladies who had been at the birthday party.
Unable to refuse their kindness, my apartment was soon filled with various expensive gifts. If I sold them, I could easily make millions of dollars.
Then came various invitations, all of which I declined, citing my need to recover.
I thought, 'As for the Skyliho Group, I'll delay as long as I can. If it goes bankrupt, so be it.'
At that moment, Katherine called.
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