Chapter 8 Family Rivalry and A Shocking Revelation

Dwayne ignored their sneers, following Evelyn to a secluded corner where the Lynn Family members had gathered. As the overlord of Ashtonville, the Yorm Family had immense wealth and power. Once, a gold mine owner's son had offended a direct Yorm Family descendant at a gathering. He was promptly killed on the spot by the Yorm Family and thrown into the river. When the mine owner tried to retaliate by uniting other businessmen, Bryan eliminated them all in one night, causing over a hundred million in resources to vanish. No one really understood the full extent of the Yorm Family's influence. They only knew that anyone who crossed them met a grim end. The Lynn Family was just a humble third-tier family in Ashtonville. An invitation from the Yorm Family was a prestigious honor, so they were grateful for it. "Evelyn, why are you so late?" "Did you keep in touch with that scion from the Xander Family I introduced you to last time?" "There are plenty of wealthy bachelors here tonight. I think Jeremy Foily is quite good. His family owns two coal mines. Do you want me to introduce you to him?" Evelyn's cousin, Britney Lynn, and other relatives immediately swarmed around her, ignoring Dwayne completely. Dwayne was used to being overlooked and stood silent as they bantered. However, Evelyn's cousin-in-law, Callum Fisher, never missed a chance to insult him. "Dwayne, I recently signed a 750,000 contract with Rainbow Group and opened a branch in the neighboring county. We are in need of a cleaner, paying 450 a month. Would you like to give it a try?" Callum spoke with a mocking edge, his eyes glinting with disdain. Despite marrying into the family, he had long resented Dwayne, particularly for marrying someone as beautiful as Evelyn compared to his wife, Britney. Dwayne replied calmly, "No thanks. I've got my own ways of earning money." In the past, he would have swallowed his pride and agreed, especially with his sister's medical bills piling up, but times had changed. "Oh. With your right hand disabled, begging under the bridge could bring in more cash than a janitor job," Britney added, prompting laughter from the family members. Samuel was the eldest among this group of relatives and a medical professor. He glanced at Dwayne with disapproval. "Dwayne, we're here to congratulate Old Mr. Yorm. Where's your gift?" Before Dwayne could respond, Samuel continued harshly, "How can I even describe you? You really disappoint me. The Yorm Family has supported you, and now you're here embarrassing us." Dwayne replied calmly, "I did bring a gift." Evelyn considered giving him her own gift to avoid embarrassment, but Dwayne surprised her by taking out the jade pendant. "Oh. What is this?" Callum stepped forward and snatched the pendant from him before Dwayne could react. "The color looks too fake. It's obviously made of glass." "It doesn't even come in a proper gift box. Could it be bought from a roadside stall?" "Are you here to embarrass us and tarnish the Lynn family's name?" Evelyn bit her lip in frustration. This worthless man was embarrassing her yet again. Callum proudly displayed a small dish he brought with a smug smile. "This is the gift I prepared, a rare and handcrafted piece by Tyson, a master ceramist. It's priceless." Evelyn had heard of Tyson's work, each piece valued over 150,000. Even with her annual salary over a million, she couldn't spend that much on a gift. Upon seeing this, she looked at Dwayne with renewed disappointment. Samuel marveled, "A genuine piece by Master Tyson? You're bringing honor to our family. Britney, you found a good son-in-law for our Lynn family." Britney cast a mocking glance at Evelyn. "Of course. Unlike some people who freeload off the family but let us down in the most crucial moments, it's the difference between a son-in-law and a stray." Britney shot Evelyn a challenging look. Britney knew she was more beautiful and successful, but so what? She was still married to a loser. "What's all the fuss about?" A woman asked, helping an elderly lady in a luxurious violet robe. "Mom." "Grandma." Samuel, Britney, Callum, and the other relatives immediately smiled and greeted her. It was Michelle, the family's matriarch, wielding power with the authority of an empress. "Joanna, how did Mom's check-up go at the hospital?" Samuel carefully supported Michelle and asked anxiously. Joanna replied cheerfully, "Mom is doing well. She eats a vegetarian diet and focuses on charity, so her health is excellent. We even stopped to have a tarot reading. The practitioner said she'll live another 30 years." "That's truly a blessing for our family." The relatives took turns showering the matriarch with flattery, and she beamed with delight. Evelyn signaled Dwayne to join in, urging him to say something complimentary. However, Dwayne looked at Michelle intently, with a severe expression. He said, "Madam Peterson, there's a blood clot near your brain stem. You won't make it through the next eight hours if untreated."