Chapter 115 A Kiss on the Cheek

Grandpa Smith cleared his throat, addressing Bernice, "Bernice, come here and let Mr. Henry kiss you? He fancies you, that's a stroke of luck for you! It's such a shame your father chose a good-for-nothing for you—I just can't fathom it..."

Bernice's face became pallid. She knew Henry's admiration wasn't genuine. More importantly, she understood that she must not let him kiss her!

What would people think of her after allowing others to kiss her in front of her husband? As for Ethan, what face would he have left?

As expected, Ethan's expression turned steely, his surprise at Henry's audacious tactics clear.

"Bernice, what's the hesitation for? Remember, you're the CEO of Smith Group. The company's interest must be your priority!"

"That's right, Bernice, don't delay our opportunity to make money! If we come up short at the end of the year, it's on you to cover the losses!"

"Why are you still standing there? Mr. Henry has put a ten-million-dollar deal on the table for our family, just to kiss you on your cheek. What are you being proud of?"

One by one, the relatives chimed in, urging Bernice to hurry up.

Robert Smith stood up, shaking his head. "Dad, Bernice is married. This isn't appropriate."

Henry laughed heartily, "All I'm doing is expressing my admiration for Ms. Bernice, hoping to fulfill a wish. If she's unwilling, let's forget about it and the business deal too!"

The relatives were seething by now, almost wanting to force Bernice to let Henry kiss her.

Jane walked up behind Bernice, giving her a gentle push and whispering, "What are you waiting for? Just go and let him kiss you!"

"But..." Bernice clenched her teeth, still not acquiescing.

"Do you still care about what that loser Ethan thinks?"

"Is he even in the same league as Henry? Henry is the scion of the Bush family—his future achievements will be sky-high!"

"Why don't you take this chance to give Ethan a piece of your mind and end the marriage? Killing two birds with one stone."

"If you hook up with Henry, who in the Smith family would dare disrespect you, inside or out?"

Jane whispered alongside Bernice, laying out the stakes, and urging her to seize the opportunity.

Grandpa Smith spoke with gravity, "Bernice, you heard it too. This is not about demeaning you. It's just helping Henry fulfill a wish. Moreover, by doing this, you'd be helping the entire Smith family secure a multi-million-dollar deal!

"Even after this, I think you should get to know Henry better, and plan for your future."

Grandpa Smith's insinuation was clear—he looked down on Ethan and wanted Bernice to divorce Ethan quickly and seize the opportunity to marry Henry.

Bernice felt a chill in her heart at that moment. Was this the attitude of her family? No matter what had happened, Ethan was her husband in name, a member of their family!

"Have you all finished your act?" Ethan spoke up nonchalantly.

"Shut your mouth! Do you think you have the right to speak here?" Christine shouted angrily.

"I'm your father, how do I not have the right?" Ethan glanced at Christine; his question laced with a mocking smile.

Christine was so furious she felt like tearing him apart. The notion of kneeling on the ground and calling Ethan 'Dad' would undoubtedly be the most indelible stain of her life!

Grandpa Smith's face darkened, his voice cold, "Mr. McKellen, do you think you have a say here? One more word and you can get out! We don't welcome trash like you here!"

His words were merciless.

"Exactly, someone like Mr. McKellen clinging to our family's coattails for survival should consider himself lucky, and he still dares to act tough in front of the old man?"

"Just a stinking jail guard, not much better than a watchdog. I don't know what got into Robert's head to accept him into our family as a son-in-law. It's just bad news for the Smiths."

"This guy is truly unworthy of Bernice. He's not fit for any woman in the Smith family. If he had any sense, he'd get a divorce and take a hike."

The relatives watched on with detached amusement, each mocking him in turn.

Ethan squinted his eyes, a sarcastic smile playing on his lips. "It's just a project that is worth tens of millions, and you're ready to sell Bernice out. What would you do for a billion-dollar deal, grovel and address someone “Dad”?"

Christine retorted with a sneer, "If you can honestly bring a billion-dollar deal to the table, I wouldn't mind kneeling and calling you 'Dad' right here and now!"

"Yeah, right. Look at you, probably can't even muster a million, let alone a billion!"

"If you can produce a billion-dollar project, not just Christine, I'd call you 'ancestor' without a second thought!"

"Thinking you're the richest person in the country? Talking big about a billion being just a mere ten-million-dollar investment? You're totally out of your league."

Ethan looked at them with scorn. "The villa I'm living in could almost buy out Bush Pharmaceuticals. What's a billion to me?"

The room erupted in laughter. "This fool must be out of his mind, boasting tall tales!"

"Bush Pharmaceuticals is worth at least twenty or thirty billion. Is there even a villa that valuable?"

"What villa does he live in? Don't tell me it's some makeshift manor in the countryside!"

With a smirk, Ethan said, "Villas can be worth close to three billion. Take, for example, the Sky Villa in Boston's most exclusive neighborhood, Sky Heaven. It sold for two billion."

"Mr. McKellen, you live in Boston, right? Is it Sky Heaven you're claiming as residence? Hahaha..."

Ethan couldn't help but burst into laughter himself.

"Indeed, you got it right. I live in Sky Heaven," Ethan said casually.

"Huh?"

Everyone paused for a moment, then the room filled with roaring laughter.

Bernice's face flushed with embarrassment. Just yesterday, she had dropped Ethan off at Sky Villa, right at the doors of "Sky Heaven." He had claimed he left his wallet, with the access card inside, on a cruise ship.

And it was there they bumped into Diana Walsh.

Judging by Diana's demeanor, she seemed to know the owner of "Sky Heaven".

Ethan, even after his lie had been exposed, still shamelessly peddled his story with unwavering confidence...

She couldn't help but feel mortified!

"I swear, this guy says he lives in Sky Heaven! Well, Buckingham Palace is next on my shopping list for a new pad!" a voice rang out in jest.

"If he can afford to live in Sky Heaven, then I'm off to shack up in the White House!" Laughter filled the air.

Grandpa Smith's face turned dark with irritation. After all, there were strangers present, and Ethan's foolish words were reflecting poorly on the whole Smith family.

"Get out, now! Scram!" Grandpa Smith pointed vehemently towards the front door, his voice sharp and commanding.

"Fine by me. Then I guess I'll just tear up this Aim Group project deal," Ethan muttered coolly, pulling what looked like a contract from inside his coat.