“Mr. Shelby, my father invites you to dinner,” said the young man.
Chris Shelby nodded and followed him.
The lunch was lavish, featuring local specialties from Jefferson Village.
During the meal, Stewart spoke up, “Harold, you and your sister should head back to the East Coast tomorrow!”
At this, Harold Jefferson and Marie were momentarily stunned.
Harold exclaimed in surprise, “Dad, let me finish fixing our house before I leave! And with David stirring things up in the village, how can I just leave?”
Marie added, “Yeah, Dad, I’ve already taken leave from school, so a few more days won’t hurt.”
Stewart paused for a moment before saying, “You don’t need to worry about these matters. Harold, I heard you’re working at Mr. Shelby’s company. Make sure you do well and don’t disappoint Mr. Shelby.”
After saying this, Stewart turned to Chris Shelby and said, “Mr. Shelby, I hope you’ll take good care of Harold and Marie when they’re on the East Coast.”
Chris Shelby smiled and replied, “Don’t worry at all! Harold is like a brother to me, and Marie is like a sister. I’ll take good care of them.”
Marie said reluctantly, “Dad, I don’t want to leave you. I want to stay with you a few more days.”
Stewart shook his head, “Marie, I appreciate your devotion, but your studies are important. Don’t delay them, and remember to be careful with your spending on the East Coast.”
“Dad, rest assured!” Harold Jefferson laughed, “I now work as a security guard at Mrs. Shelby’s company, earning ten thousand dollars a month. You won’t have to worry anymore.”
Stewart replied gruffly, “Having money doesn’t mean you can waste it. You’re not getting any younger; it’s time to consider finding a wife.”
At this, Harold Jefferson looked embarrassed and said, “Dad, I’m still young; there’s no rush for that.”
Stewart countered, “Young my foot! Many folks your age in the village already have kids.”
Harold opened his mouth but didn’t know what to say.
Seeing the family’s interaction, Chris Shelby couldn’t help but smile.
Life in a rural family was indeed warm and relaxed.
“Is anyone here?”
At that moment, David’s son Evan walked in.
On seeing Evan, Harold Jefferson snapped, “Evan, you dare to show up? Are you looking for trouble?”
Evan’s face showed a hint of fear, having often been disciplined by Harold in their youth.
Evan said with a grim face, “Harold Jefferson, don’t mess around! I’m not here for you today; I’m here for Chris Shelby.”
Chris Shelby asked calmly, “What do you want?”
“Chris Shelby, my father asked me to fetch you for dinner tonight,” Evan said, looking down on Chris.
Despite knowing Chris Shelby was a big shot from the East Coast, Evan, who had always lived in Jefferson Village, lacked a concept of the East Coast.
In his eyes, his father was the village chief of Jefferson Village, and his sister was the lady of Greensands. With these connections, he could dominate Jefferson Village.
In Jefferson Village, he was a big fish in a small pond.
As for Chris Shelby, even if he was a fierce dragon crossing the river, coming to Jefferson Village meant he had to deal with Evan!
At this, Chris Shelby frowned slightly.
Harold Jefferson said irritably, “David has good intentions inviting Mr. Shelby to dinner? I suspect there’s no good banquet without ulterior motives.”
Evan snapped angrily, “Harold Jefferson, watch your mouth. Is my father’s name something you can just casually throw around? And why do you care? He didn’t invite you to dinner!”
“You-”
Harold Jefferson wanted to say more, but Chris Shelby interrupted him with a gesture.
Chris looked at Evan and said, “Go back and tell David that I will be there on time for the dinner.”
“Hmph!”
Evan huffed proudly and then turned to leave. If it weren’t for his father asking him to come, he wouldn’t have bothered.
He wondered why his father would invite Chris Shelby for a meal. To Evan, it seemed unnecessary. Even if Chris Shelby was a big shot on the East Coast, could he really influence Jefferson Village? A village chief might be minor, but he still held authority. Surely Chris Shelby wouldn’t dare do anything to them.
After Evan left, Harold Jefferson expressed his concern, “Mr. Shelby, are you really going to that dinner tonight? It seems like David is up to no good!”
Chris Shelby smiled faintly, “Don’t worry, a mere David is not of concern to me. I’m going to see what he’s really up to.”
Stewart also advised, “Mr. Shelby, Harold is right! David is ruthless and has a bad reputation in the village. He definitely wants to harm you by inviting you to dinner!”
Chris Shelby scoffed, “If David really intends to harm me, I will make him regret it.”
Seeing Chris Shelby’s confidence, Stewart and Harold Jefferson didn’t press any further. They both knew Chris Shelby’s capabilities; David would not dare to mess with him.
That evening, Chris Shelby arrived at David’s house, a three-story building which wouldn’t stand out on the East Coast but was considered the most luxurious in Jefferson Village.
Chris Shelby sneered, noting that David must have embezzled plenty since becoming the village chief.
Entering David’s home, he saw David approaching with a smile plastered across his face.
“Mr. Shelby, please, come in! Having Mr. Shelby in my humble home truly brings it honor,” David exclaimed with a feigned smile.
Chris Shelby, sensing the insincerity, asked calmly, “I wonder why you’ve suddenly invited me to dinner? We aren’t exactly acquaintances, are we?”
“Hahaha!” David laughed heartily, “What are you saying, Mr. Shelby? You’ve been a great benefactor to Jefferson Village, helping us numerous times. As the village chief, it’s only right that I extend some hospitality.”
Chris Shelby then proceeded to the living room, taking a moment to survey his surroundings. The living room was well-furnished with a sofa and television, suggesting that David lived comfortably.
The dining table was laid with an array of fine dishes, among which a bottle of 53-degree liquor stood out, worth thousands of dollars based on current market prices. Clearly, David had gone to great lengths to prepare for this meal.
Soon, everyone sat down to eat. As David poured drinks for himself and Chris Shelby, a white powder fell from his fingers into Chris Shelby’s glass.