Just then, a domineering figure strode out from the inner room. The man’s steps were firm and steady, and as he walked, everyone around him moved aside, creating a clear path.
The man was none other than the head of the city’s second most prominent family, the host of today’s centennial banquet, Coleman Vincent.
Coleman, dressed in a tailcoat, had a stern, commanding presence. Despite his advanced age, his aura was far from diminished. The area around him seemed to radiate an undeniable authority.
Beside Coleman was a girl in a white dress, looking exquisitely beautiful with an innocent smile, appearing to be around eighteen or nineteen years old.
Upon seeing Coleman approach, Jasper hurried to greet him. “Mr. Vincent. I’m Jasper, Beckett’s son. My father is out of city today, so he sent me to convey his congratulations on the Vincent family’s centennial celebration.”
He glanced at Kayden as if he was quite familiar with Coleman.
Coleman didn’t respond but surveyed the crowd before his gaze settled on Kayden.
Seeing Kayden, Coleman’s eyes widened in surprise. After all, this was the god of Seclela, someone who could control Hiphia and the southwest region with just a word.
“Mr….” Coleman started to address him, but Kayden waved dismissively, signaling Coleman to be understated. He didn’t like being too conspicuous, especially with Georgia present. He feared she might not handle it well.
“Who is causing trouble here?” Coleman’s expression changed instantly to a stern frown.
Jasper quickly said, “Old Mr. Vincent, it’s him! This guy is causing trouble here. I’ve tried my best to stop him, but he’s reckless and doesn’t respect you at all.”
Quentin stepped forward, adding, “That’s right! This guy was just showing off, claiming that you invited him. He’s merely the son-in-law of the Adams family, which doesn’t even have thirty million. How could they possibly have fifty million? Old Mr. Vincent, this guy is too arrogant. He even demanded Mr. Robinson kneel.”
Coleman remained silent, his face unreadable as he listened.
Without hesitation, Quentin revealed the details of the bet between the two men, taunting further, “He even said that you had dinner with you a few nights ago, which is an insult to you. How could someone of your status dine with someone like him? Mr. Robinson couldn’t stand his pretense and wanted to teach him a lesson that he can’t act arrogantly everywhere.”
Quentin’s words were met with agreement from others present, who quickly joined in condemning Kayden.
Coleman frowned slightly and then turned his gaze to Quentin, asking, “Who are you?”
Quentin stepped forward and introduced himself. “I’m Stefan Byers’s son. My father is in the coal business. Mr. Vincent, I’ve long admired you. Meeting you today is truly exhilarating, you are-”
Coleman raised his hand to cut him off and then pointed with a stern finger, commanding, “Teach him a lesson.”
Before Quentin could understand what was happening, two bodyguards behind Coleman stepped forward. One grabbed Quentin while the other began to punch him repeatedly in the face.
The punches were merciless, causing the onlookers to fear for their own safety. After dozens of blows, Quentin’s face was red, swollen, and bleeding. Tears streamed down his face as he sobbed.
He looked at Coleman with innocent confusion, not understanding why he was being punished. Jasper beside him also looked bewildered, not knowing why Coleman had ordered Quentin’s beating.
Coleman snorted and glared at Quentin. “This is a lesson for you. I detest having someone chattering in my ear when I’m speaking to others.”
In reality, Coleman was punishing Quentin for offending Kayden, seeking to avenge him.
Upon realizing this, Quentin felt a bit enlightened.
Jasper quickly turned to Quentin and said, “Apologize to Old Mr. Vincent!”
Through his pain, Quentin managed to say, “I’m sorry, Old Mr. Vincent!”
Jasper added, “Old Mr. Vincent, he’s just young and ignorant. Please don’t hold it against him. Let’s forget about it.”
Just as Jasper finished speaking, he received a resounding punch to his face, splitting his lip.
The entire hall fell silent, including Georgia, who covered her mouth in shock and stifled a giggle.
Coleman himself had delivered the blow with full force.
Jasper, stunned, turned to Coleman with disbelief. “Old Mr. Vincent, did I… did I do something wrong?”
Coleman squinted, snorted, and barked, “You’ll thank me for this punch one day.”
With that, he withdrew his gaze from Jasper and delivered a heavy word, “Kneel!”
The word landed like a bombshell, causing shockwaves among everyone present.
People were bewildered, not sure who Coleman was commanding to kneel, but soon, they realized it was Kayden. Coleman had already dealt with the troublemaker Quentin and then Jasper, all to send a clear message: no trouble-making would be tolerated at the Vincents’ place. Now, it was time for the Adams family’s son-in-law to face the consequences.
The onlookers were riveted, their excitement palpable. The scene was even more thrilling than any movie.
Arrogance had its price, and now that fool was in deep trouble.
If he kneeled, then the Adams’ fame would be gone. But would he dare refuse to kneel? No, he absolutely wouldn’t.
At this moment, not only Kayden but also Georgia was a target of everyone’s ridicule.
Jasper instinctively adjusted his collar and tidied his outfit, touching his bruised face and thinking, ‘Old Mr. Vincent was quite generous. A punch was nothing compared to getting my revenge.’
Georgia, already pale with fear, tugged at Kayden’s hand. Kayden remained expressionless, but Georgia knew he was likely paralyzed with fear.
“Kayden, kneel now,” she whispered urgently.
Kayden remained unmoved. Georgia panicked, realizing that this was Coleman, not someone like Tony or Jasper. Was Kayden really this foolish?
She shouldn’t have trusted him so much.
With that thought, she took a trembling step forward and said, “Sorry, Old Mr. Vincent. My husband is not in his right mind.. I’ll kneel. It’s all my fault. We shouldn’t have come in. We…”
Coleman quickly interjected, “Mrs. Scott, you’ve misunderstood. I’m not asking Mr. Scott to kneel.”
“I’m asking him to kneel.”
He slowly raised his hand and pointed at Jasper.