The next day, at six o’clock in the morning, Jepherson arrived at the Moore family’s gate. He stepped out of the car and waited at the door for a while. Stuart went to wait for the door to open. When he came back to tell Jepherson, Jepherson followed the butler to Johan’s place.
Johan was lying on the bed. The filial descendants of the Moore family gathered around him. Under the butler’s lead, Jepherson strode into Johan’s room.
After entering, Jepherson let his gaze run across everyone present. He did not enter but waited for the butler to lead him in. The butler bowed politely and uttered, “Mr. Richards, please follow me.”
Finally, Jepherson walked to Johan’s side. Johan opened his eyes and looked at Jepherson. “You’re Jepherson?”
“I am.” Jepherson’s attitude was placid, neither humble nor pushy. Johan eyed him for a moment and exclaimed, “No wonder Quirina has done so many silly things. What a young and handsome man!”
Johan coughed twice, as if he was on the verge of losing his breath.
What kind of person was Jepherson? How could he not understand the meaning behind Johan’s words? He did not reply but merely smiled. He swept his unfathomable gaze over everyone present.
Almost all of the Moore family’s well-known figures showed up. It seemed like he came at the right time! He could finally experience it!
“Yousif, why don’t you ask someone to get a chair for Jepherson?” Johan’s tone was serious. If Johan had asked Jefferson to take a seat directly, that would be common. However, he asked someone to get the chair for him.
Of course, Jepherson understood that Johan was just deliberately showing off power as a warning.
Nevertheless, he did not want to sit.
Jepherson’s handsome face was calm. The corners of his mouth twitched, expressing that he was smiling. He was in an excellent mood. He then looked at Yousif. “No, I’m good. I’ve come today to apologize for yesterday’s incident. I’ve delayed my time to come to the banquet because of some trivial matters. Pardon my ill manners. I had been punished by my grandmother after returning home. I came here early today to apologize to Old Master Johan.
“Old Master, you’re already old. As a junior, I should have come early to pay my respects to you. However, I was late. I hope that you can accept my apology. I’m just a fledgling and is still young, please go easy on me.”
Johan’s shrewd eyes glanced at Yousif. Yousif personally took a chair and asked Jepherson to sit down. As usual, Jepherson should sit down. As for Yousif’s status, even if he was rich enough to rival a state, he should show some respect to his politicians. Moreover, Jepherson was only the vice president of the Richards Group. Even if he took over the family in the future, he would not be able to grasp the fate of Capital City. It would be out of the question to reign the entire city.
However, Jepherson’s character far exceeded Johan’s imagination. Even if Hansen himself came, he had to listen to him. He did not expect that Jepherson would not give him any face at all.
“I don’t need to sit, and I dare not sit either.” Jepherson’s words caused an uproar in Johan’s room.
Johan coughed twice. His savvy eyes had already sized up Jepherson.
The younger generation was to be feared. Johan frowned and looked at the Moore family. In this generation, there were all girls, and the boys were all good-for-nothings.
The reason for Jepherson to be this arrogant was also that he had the capital to be arrogant.
“Old Master, drink some water.” The butler hurried forward to serve him. Johan waved his hand. “Don’t bother. I know this body of mine. I don’t have many days left to live.”
The butler quickly added, “You can’t say that. You’re in good health.”
The surrounding members of the Moore family did not say a word as they lowered their heads slightly.
Johan had said the same thing for the past ten years, and here he was, still alive and kicking.
“You say that you don’t dare to sit? Is there a nail on this chair?” Johan sat on the side. Although he was old and his face was full of wrinkles, there were two shrewd eyes.
Jepherson glanced at the chair. “Because of what happened yesterday, I was punished by my grandmother to kneel on the ground for half a night after I went back. I didn’t dare to move when I got in the car, and it was even more difficult for me to get off it. If the Old Master wants me to sit on the chair, I certainly won’t stand.”
Johan’s heart was full of approbation. What an applaudable young man. Hansen was a capable man. Like father, like son.
If he were to make Jepherson sit down today, he would be considered bullying him. Jepherson came alone to meet him, even his followers were outside. This meant that he was well prepared.
“You’re welcome to just stand there. I’m afraid that when you go back and tell your mother, it would come across as I’m bullying you. Anyway, the Moore family and your mother have some relationship. Your ancestors are also my people. Although I am almost dying, I can’t help but miss the past. When I see you, it’s like seeing your ancestors, thinking about the past…” His words broke into coughs.
“Old Master, let’s not talk about the past lest you become sick again.” The butler hurried forward to stop him. Jepherson understood what was going on. He did not say anything but just stood there silently.
Johan had never brought up this matter. Now that there was an exception, the Moore family also understood what was going on.
Johan looked at Jepherson for a while. “Jepherson, I heard that Quirina-”
“Old Master, I came here today to explain this matter. Grandma has already taught me a lesson at home. I realized that it was indeed my fault. I also made Quirina feel ashamed. I should be responsible for this.”
Jepherson’s words prompted Johan, as well as the rest of the Moore family, to stare at Jepherson. They were all thinking about this.
Johan asked, “What do you mean by this?”
Was the Moore family still willing to submit to him with their status?
Jepherson replied, “Old Master, I’ve already learned from Grandma’s edifying teachings. Since I’m engaged to Deanna, I should announce it to the public. This way, I won’t get into any misunderstanding.
At times, Quirina can be a little willful, but she is too naive to do anything abominable.
It’s a pity that my family has already betrothed Deanna to me. Otherwise…”
Following this subject, Jepherson continued, “I know the rules of the Moore family. Everything must be done in an orderly manner. Quirina is not born of the eldest daughter, but her innocent temper is very pleasing. Nonetheless, sometimes I can’t take care of her all, and I have to explain the Whalen family. Mr. Whalen is already angry about this matter. He thinks that I am not doing things fastidious enough, which led to today’s misunderstanding.
Grandma raked me over the coals pretty good, and she asked me to humbly seek out the Old Master’s opinions on how to deal with this matter. I was also thinking about this matter. Firstly, the Whalen family had already interfered in this matter. Secondly, everyone knew that although my grandma changed her name, she was also a member of the Moore family. In addition, my great-grandma had high hopes for me. She didn’t want me to decide my marriage at such a young age, and she didn’t want me to marry more than one woman. She warned my father because of this matter too. My father had promised my great-grandmother that he would not allow me to marry twice.
Old Master, I wonder how would you make a choice if it were you?”
Yousif took a cold breath. It was obvious that Jepherson came here bearing bad intentions. The meaning of his words was that Rayan had already asked about this matter. Jepherson and Quirina were cousins. According to the current law, they were not allowed to be together. Besides, Hansen had also promised Lilian that he would not allow Jepherson to have more than one wife. If Jepherson wanted to have more than one wife, he had to ask for permission.
Was Madam Lilian not Johan’s daughter-in-law?
Yousif knew that Madam Lilian had some tricks up her sleeve. Furthermore, she had never taken a liking to the Moore family. He was not very sure about the details either.
According to Jepherson’s words, he had Madam Lilian and Rayan to back him up. Either way, the Moore family would lose more than they would gain.
During this period of time, Jepherson did not mention the relationship between the two families, his parents, or his relatives. This meant that he did not recognize this ties in his heart at all.
It was only then that Johan understood. What did Jepherson come here for today?
His face turned red.
Johan stared at Jepherson for a while. Suddenly, he smiled. No one had ever seen such a friendly expression in the Moore family.
“Jepherson, Quirian is just messing around. It is better not to be frightened by her. She is not the legitimate child. At her age, she is a bit willful. I have already asked someone to teach her a lesson. She is not with me. She lacks discipline and etiquette. You can rest assured that she will understand in the future.
As for Madam Lilian, I haven’t seen her for many years. I believe she will agree with you. It’s a long story. Let’s leave it here. We’ll talk about it after your parents come back.”
Jepherson did not reply and just smiled. He did not nod either.
Johan glanced at Yousif and the others. “I’m a little tired. I’m not feeling well. Why don’t you accompany Jepherson to have dinner in the backyard?”
“Yes, Old Master,” Yousif answered in a hurry. He planned to invite Jepherson to dinner in the backyard. Jepherson simply raised his wrist and glanced at him. “My apologies, I still have something to do. I’ll accompany the Old Master another day.”
After saying that, Jepherson bowed politely and nodded his head to say goodbye to Johan. He did not wait for Johan’s response and turned around to leave.
Johan stared at Jepherson’s carefree and untamed figure. His face revealed a hint of displeasure. He thought that Jepherson was an uppity child.
After Jepherson left, Yousif went to Johan’s side. Johan suddenly looked at Yousif and scolded, “It’s all your fault. You’re entangled with such a woman and had such a child. Are you satisfied now?”
Yousif lowered his head and did not dare to speak.
“Back then, you asked me to choose someone among you all. I chose you out of the consideration of the public. I didn’t expect you to be so soft-hearted. You did such a thing for a woman. You have brought shame to the Moore family,” Johan said fiercely. Yousif still dared not speak, and the others in the Moore family remained silent too. Everyone was very clear why Johan liked Yousif. It was all because Yousif’s father had been willing to take care of Johan. At that time, Yousif had stepped into the political circle, and Johan often gave him advice. In troubled times, someone had tried to assassinate Johan. Yousif’s father had died on the spot because he had blocked Johan’s deadly shot. That was how Yousif became what he was today.
Yousif lowered his head, his face blanched. He did not dare to say a word. In the end, Johan uttered that he was tired. He snorted, “Since you can’t let them go, you’d better take care of them. If they bring shame to the Moore family next time, I won’t tell you when I take matters into my own hand. If you can’t do it, then you can only let others help you.”
“Don’t be angry, Old Master. Your health is more important than anything in the world.” The butler immediately helped Johan lie down on the bed. The members of the Moore family also went down one after another. Yousif then turned around and left.