Chris Shelby, who drove a Mercedes and dressed casually, was the first of his kind. Upon hearing the news, he produced the invitation Candace had given him. The doorman glanced at the invitation in Chris Shelby’s hand and was momentarily stunned. Initially suspecting Chris was there uninvited, the presence of an actual invitation surprised him.
Aware that those attending Caspian Vance’s birthday were no ordinary people, the doorman immediately became respectful and said, “Please come in!”
The doormen, professionally trained, never judged by appearances, knowing many wealthy magnates often dressed very casually. From the outside, one could not guess Chris was affluent.
Once inside the villa, Esther was astounded. The villa, mundane from the outside, revealed a hidden grandeur within.
The estate featured small bridges over flowing water and various pavilions, reminiscent of the south. Inside a large hall, a hundred tables were set up, with over a hundred staff bustling about, making the villa lively. Esther exclaimed, “I had no idea Candace’s grandfather was such a prominent figure.”
Chris Shelby smiled and said, “Esther, this villa wasn’t actually built by Caspian Vance; it was originally the residence of a chancellor from the previous dynasty. After the dynasty fell, the founder awarded this mansion to Caspian Vance!”
As the Amerosia Primus, Chris knew quite a bit about Caspian Vance, although their paths rarely crossed since Caspian had retired before Chris’s rise in the military. Esther looked surprised to learn it was once the chancellor’s residence.
Suddenly, someone heavily patted Chris Shelby on the shoulder from behind. Turning around, Chris saw it was Will Jenkins, the head of the Jenkins family. “Ha ha ha!” Will Jenkins laughed and said, “Chris Shelby, I didn’t expect to see you at Mr. Vance’s birthday celebration!” As the Jenkins family head, Will obviously qualified to attend. However, Will had not anticipated running into Chris Shelby here, especially since Chris had returned to the East Coast after causing a stir in Middleton. Their unexpected reunion was indeed a surprise.
Chris Shelby simply acknowledged, “Mr. Jenkins.” Normally, as Will Jenkins’ sister was Marie, who was married to Chris’s father Todd, Chris should have called Will “Uncle.” However, Chris could hardly bring himself to say it, and even if he did, Will Jenkins might not accept the term.
Will Jenkins cheerfully said, “Chris Shelby, since you’re in Middleton, you should come by my house.” Chris nodded and replied, “Alright!” Soon after, Will Jenkins left to greet other guests, as there wasn’t much for him and Chris to discuss given their unequal status.
Meanwhile, in a study within the villa, an elderly man in a red suit sat in a rocking chair. Although Caspian Vance was ninety years old, he looked robust and emitted an authoritative, battle-hardened aura.
“Candace, I heard you invited Chris Shelby to my birthday party?” Caspian Vance looked at Candace with a tender expression. He cherished his granddaughter Candace deeply, especially since both her mother and father had passed away.
The Nance family endured a great calamity, and it was Candace alone who shouldered the burden for the entire family. Candace nodded and said, “Yes, Grandfather!”
“Chris Shelby is the enemy who killed your father. Don’t you hate him?” Caspian Vance asked curiously.
Candace stared intently at Caspian Vance and replied, “Grandfather, you should know that it wasn’t Chris Shelby who killed my father; it was Daniel Williams!”
Hearing this, Caspian Vance fell silent. Although Chris Shelby was greatly involved in Thunder’s death, it was Daniel Williams who actually killed Thunder! Despite Daniel Williams’s initially secretive role as the lord of the Hall of Death, by today, the Hall of Death had been destroyed by Chris Shelby, making Daniel Williams’s role widely known.
“Ah! It’s all because I am powerless and unable to avenge your father,” Caspian Vance said, his face showing anger. Although Caspian Vance was once a military god of Amerosia, he had retired and lost all his power. Now, the respect he received was merely superficial.
Who was Daniel Williams? He was the prince of Amerosia, brother of Master William. Even Caspian Vance could not kill Daniel Williams to avenge his son-in-law.
Candace shook her head, “Grandfather, this is not your fault. I will avenge my father myself.” Caspian Vance did not continue the topic. He looked deeply at Candace and said, “Candace, you invited Chris Shelby to my birthday feast to seek my help for him, didn’t you?”
Candace nodded and replied, “Yes, Grandfather! Although Chris Shelby is now Amerosia Primus, his rise was too rapid; his prestige in the military isn’t enough yet. Now, he and Daniel Williams are in a fight to the death.”
“Daniel Williams is very cunning and has significant influence in the court. Right now, he and Chris Shelby are evenly matched, and neither can best the other. But with your help, Grandfather, Chris Shelby will surely gain the strength to confront Daniel Williams.”
Caspian Vance fell silent again. Candace was right. Chris Shelby, although Amerosia Primus and mentored by the Emperor’s teacher, and brother to Master William, had risen too quickly.
In just five or six years, he went from a border soldier to Amerosia Primus, gaining immense power but an unstable foundation. Caspian Vance, though retired, still had significant influence in the military. With his help, Chris Shelby could indeed secure his position.
Caspian Vance nodded and said, “Alright, after the birthday feast, have Chris Shelby come to see me. If he truly serves the country and its people, I can assist him.”
A smile appeared on Candace’s face, “Thank you, Grandfather!” Caspian Vance shook his head helplessly. He could see that Candace had deep feelings for Chris Shelby. However, he also knew that Chris Shelby was a married man with a daughter; Candace’s unrequited love was destined to be unreturned.
Thump! Thump! Thump! Just then, a knocking sound came. Caspian Vance calmly said, “Come in!” Shortly after, the butler entered and said, “Sir, the Emperor’s teacher has requested your presence urgently for an important matter.”
Surprised, Caspian Vance nodded and replied, “Alright, I’ll be right there.”
Then, Caspian Vance glanced at Candace and said, “Candace, please go out and help me entertain the guests.”