The old Mrs. Henley’s eyes revealed a strong disdain as she said, “The Bloomer family doesn’t need a son-in-law to come and help. If I didn’t ask you to speak, then don’t speak.”
With that, the old Mrs. Henley turned to Sophia, giving a direct command, “Sophia, no time to waste. Represent the Bloomer family and visit the Browne family this afternoon. I’ve already prepared the gifts for the Browne family. After the meeting, I’ll have someone load them into your car.”
As soon as the old Mrs. Henley finished speaking, a servant knocked on the meeting room’s door and then approached the old Mrs. Henley, whispering something to her.
Upon hearing it, the old Mrs. Henley’s expression suddenly changed, and she stood up abruptly.
“Hurry, bring the Browne family’s people here,” the old Mrs. Henley instructed the servant excitedly.
Soon, the servant led a middle-aged man into the meeting room.
Members of the Bloomer family noticed that the man was holding something-it seemed to be an invitation.
Could it be that the Browne family sent someone with an invitation?
The members of the Bloomer family exchanged glances, uncertain about the situation. If it was indeed an invitation, it undoubtedly meant that the Browne family had taken notice of the Bloomer family’s existence.
The middle-aged man scanned the people in the meeting room, a touch of arrogance on his face. He spoke loudly, “Old Mr. Browne’s eightieth birthday is approaching. I represent the Browne family in delivering this invitation. Who will accept it?”
The Bloomer family members naturally felt that the man’s arrogance was justified. If they were from the Browne family, they might be even more arrogant.
First-class wealthy families inherently possessed a sense of superiority when dealing with second-class families.
Bruno left his seat and walked toward the middle-aged man.
The old Mrs. Henley quickly scolded, “Bruno, what are you doing?”
Only then did Bruno realize it wasn’t appropriate for him to accept the invitation. He promptly halted.
The old Mrs. Henley, leaning on her cane, tremulously walked up to the middle-aged man. She took the invitation from him and said, “Please go back and tell Old Mr. Browne and Mr. Browne, thank them for giving the Bloomer family this opportunity.”
The middle-aged man’s eyes revealed a hint of disdain. The three second-class families had been invited to this birthday banquet, and the heads of these families all wore a subservient look. This sight was something he found hard to ignore.
“Please follow the instructions on the invitation to attend the banquet. Goodbye!” The middle-aged man left after dropping these words.
It was only after the man’s figure disappeared that the old Mrs. Henley snapped out of her daze. Her hand holding the invitation was still trembling slightly.
Reflecting on the past, when the Bloomer family tried to please the Browne family, it was like trying to get warmth from a cold stove. However, today, at this very moment, the usually aloof Browne family had actually sent someone to deliver an invitation. It undoubtedly indicated that the Bloomer family had taken a solid step toward becoming a first-class family.
After calming her emotions, the old Mrs. Henley returned to her seat. The hand holding the invitation still shook slightly.
Thinking back, she mumbled to herself, “In my lifetime, the Bloomer family has a chance to become a first-class family…”
Bruno also returned to his seat, feeling quite elated. While he was born with a silver spoon, compared to the privileged sons of first-class families, he still felt a significant gap in superiority.
Once, there was an incident that remained vivid in Bruno’s memory. It happened two years ago at an entertainment club when he had reserved a good private room. However, an arrogant scion of a first-class family unexpectedly seized his room. Bruno could only endure silently, not daring to make a sound.
Therefore, the prospect of the Bloomer family ascending to the ranks of first-class families was more urgent for Bruno than even the old Mrs. Henley or Teresa.
If the Bloomer family became a first-class family, those arrogant sons of first-class families would lose their confidence in front of him when they went out to play.
Thinking about this, Bruno quickly reminded, “Grandma, open the invitation and take a look.”
Only then did the old Mrs. Henley snap out of her dreamy imagination and unwrap the Browne family’s invitation.
The contents of the invitation were concise, stating the time and location of the birthday banquet, the number of people invited from the Bloomer family, and the designated seating arrangements.
After reading it, the old Mrs. Henley passed it to Bruno.
Excitedly, Bruno exclaimed, “Grandma, the Browne family is really giving face to us, the Bloomer family. They’ve given us ten slots and even arranged a separate table for our family.”
Bruno was well aware that this treatment wasn’t something any second-class family could enjoy casually.
Fanny eagerly snatched the invitation from Bruno’s hand, her face expressing the joy of hitting the jackpot.
The old Mrs. Henley’s face, now adorned with more wrinkles due to her smiling, said, “The Browne family values the Bloomer family so much. It seems that the day when the Bloomer family becomes a first-class family is not far away.”
Seizing the opportunity, Bruno flattered, “Grandma, the reason the Bloomer family is so highly regarded by the Browne family and has reached this point is all because of your excellent leadership.”
This flattery made the old Mrs. Henley feel quite comfortable.
“Under your leadership, Grandma, the Bloomer family will surely stand shoulder to shoulder with the Browne family in the near future, or even surpass them!” Fanny added, following Bruno’s lead.
Fanny’s words truly struck a chord with the old Mrs. Henley.
The invitation quickly circulated among the Bloomer family members, and for a moment, they were all immersed in a self-satisfied atmosphere.
They didn’t bother to ponder or question why the Browne family had sent an invitation.
The reason was simple-Leo.
If it weren’t for Leo’s relationship with August, the Bloomer family wouldn’t even have qualified to enter Old Mr. Browne’s eightieth birthday celebration.
After the initial joy settled, Bruno, who had calmed down, said to the old Mrs. Henley, “Grandma, the invitation clearly specifies only ten persons for the Bloomer family. You need to consider the candidates carefully.”
Bruno knew that among these ten slots, he must have his own.
Hearing Bruno’s words, the eyes of the Bloomer family members focused on the old Mrs. Henley, hoping she would choose them to attend Old Mr. Browne’s celebration.
However, the old Mrs. Henley disappointed them by deciding not to make a decision right away. “I will consider this matter carefully. Old Mr. Browne’s celebration is the day after tomorrow. At the latest, I will notify the selected attendees by tomorrow morning.”
Bruno couldn’t help but glance at Leo and said, “Grandma, someone like a door-to-door son-in-law who lives off others surely doesn’t qualify to attend, right?”
The old Mrs. Henley couldn’t help but look at Leo, who was sitting in a neglected corner, and chuckled, “Attending Old Mr. Browne’s celebration is of utmost importance. Only the core figures of the Bloomer family can go. A door-to-door son-in-law naturally doesn’t have the qualifications.”