Chapter 5 The Solomons and the Rileys

Over the past seven years, he had kept in touch with Jeremy overseas. However, he didn't know much about Jeremy's life, what he was doing, which country he was in, whether he'd gotten married or had kids. Jeremy didn't say. Even now, with Joel's wedding coming up, Jeremy hadn't given a definite answer about whether he would return from abroad. Maybe he would, maybe he wouldn't. "Dad, we're family. I'm sure my brother has already forgiven you," Joel said, trying to sound casual. "It's already 10:40. Let's head to the hotel lobby; it's time to greet the guests," Logan said, pulling himself together as he glanced at his Patek Philippe watch. The father and son made their way to the lobby. Today, the Southeast Global Hotel has been exclusively booked by the Kanes. The red carpet was rolled out, and it was only fitting for the Kanes to personally greet the guests—many of whom were people of considerable importance. Late morning. Around 11 AM. Luxury cars arrived one after another on the red carpet in front of the Southeast Global Hotel. Stepping out were successful middle-aged men in tailored suits, glamorous women draped in jewels, and poised young heirs and heiresses, radiating confidence and privilege. Logan and Joel stood at the entrance, greeting each guest with polished manners and a refined demeanor. They were courteous yet restrained, not overly enthusiastic. After all, most of the early arrivals weren't from the upper echelons of society. By around 11:20 AM, the high-profile guests finally began to arrive, one after another. Among them were the heads and heirs of several prestigious Fregend first-tier families. Logan and Joel were far more enthusiastic and warm. Adjusting their attitude to match the status of their visitors was only to be expected. Time continued to tick by. At approximately 11:40 AM, Logan and Joel's expressions suddenly changed. Two Rolls-Royces glided up to the hotel entrance, one following the other. Their license plates: 77777 and 99999. At that moment, it wasn't just Logan and Joel who were stunned, every guest still entering the hotel or already inside paused, struck with awe and respect. This is the car used by the two most prestigious noble families of Fregend, the Solomons and the Rileys! These families were known to be low-key, and it was almost unheard of for them to appear at the same event. The fact that they both showed up spoke volumes about the prestige of the Kanes. Soon, the doors of the Rolls-Royce with the 77777 license plate opened, and an elderly couple stepped out. Their hair was silvered with age, yet they exuded an undeniable elegance. The elderly man wore redwood-framed glasses and a custom-tailored suit, while his wife, though advanced in age, still carried a limited-edition Hermes Birkin bag, a rare and coveted piece. Logan and Joel hurried to greet them. "Mr. Solomon, Mrs. Solomon, I can't believe you've come in person. You've truly honored us," Logan said, his voice filled with respect, surprise, and gratitude. Axel Solomon nodded at Logan before turning his gaze to Joel. "You must be Joel. Well done." Just those few words left Joel slightly flushed with excitement. At the same time, a middle-aged man in a dark blue robe stepped out from the front passenger seat of the Rolls-Royce, standing behind Axel and his wife. Although his appearance was plain, even somewhat submissive, there was something about him that unsettled both Logan and Joel, sending a chill down their spines. Joel hadn't yet processed it, but Logan was shocked. He immediately understood. The man in the blue robe was the Solomon couple's personal bodyguard, or perhaps a close protector. And, judging by the aura he exuded, this man was likely the legendary martial artist that had been rumored to serve the Solomons. Indeed, the Solomons had a martial arts practitioner in their service. The next moment, Logan and Joel quickly made their way to the Rolls-Royce with the license plate 99999. As the car door opened, two figures stepped out—an elderly man and a young woman in her twenties. The elderly man was dressed in simple, modest athletic wear. If it weren't for those in the know, anyone who saw him outside might have mistaken him for an ordinary retired man out for a workout. As for the young woman ... She was stunning. She wore a custom purple dress, paired with kitten heels. Her hair was casually draped over her shoulders, and her makeup, though light, accentuated her flawless curves and figure. Her face, a delicate oval shape, was smooth and fair, with skin as soft and flawless as a baby's. Her eyes were large and bright, sparkling like gems, while her small, cherry-red lips added a touch of delicate beauty. Together, her features created a breathtakingly captivating presence. Joel stood there, momentarily stunned. He had always thought Abigail was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, truly the top beauty in Fregend. But this woman before him was just as striking, if not more so, with an elegance that seemed to surpass even Abigail's. "Mr. Riley, this must be your granddaughter? She's stunning!" Logan said with a smile, offering his praise. "Indeed," Thomas nodded in agreement. "Thomas, you've been keeping your precious granddaughter hidden all this time, what made you bring her out today?" Axel joked as he and his wife approached. "She shows up whenever they want, huh?" Thomas retorted, suggesting that the relationship between the Rileys and the Solomons was tense. "Grandpa Solomon, Grandma Sunley," Thomas's granddaughter spoke politely. Her voice was pleasant, clear, and lively, like a mountain spring. It became clear that Axel's wife's surname was Sunley.