“I’ll settle you when I go back.” Lacey scolded and put down the phone.
She apologetically looked at Jeffrey and explained, “Jeffery, I’m sorry. My younger sister was so silly...”
Jeffrey laughed and with a wave of his hand, he said, “Haha... Since I became the mayor, I have yet to hear criticism from any citizen.”
“A few words of reproach is good. I’ll treat it as encouragement to do a better job.”
The crowd was greatly moved by his words.
What type of person is Zeke Williams that when his wife’s assistant mistakes the mayor for a scammer, the head of the city shows no anger and does not pursue the matter?
Presumably, only the big bosses in the province have this ability.
Mance’s limelight was stolen by Zeke and he was so angry that he could now swallow Zeke whole.
Nevertheless, in his twenty-year career as a mercenary, he had learnt tolerance.
He hid the shame of being insulted within himself and walked to Jeffrey, saying, “Mayor, the feast will begin soon. Please return to your VIP seat.”
“You are our special guest today and it’s not right for you to take this ordinary seat.”
Jeffrey had some questions concerning Mance putting Mr. Williams in the ordinary seating.
Showing displeasure, he said, “Since Mr. Williams is here among the ordinary seats, how dare I take a VIP seat?”
“I’ll take a seat at Mr. Williams’ table. It will do fine.”
Mance swallowed his pride, looked at Zeke and invited him courteously, “Mr. Williams, would you like to come and sit at the VIP table?”
Zeke laughed and said, “Just now, didn’t you say that the VIP seats are all taken so I have to take an ordinary seat?”
“This location here feels good so I’m not moving.”
Mance got angrier.
You dare reject my invitation! It’s like slapping my face in public!
Williams, I’ll have my revenge!
Alas, Zeke and Jeffrey did not change seats but remained in the ordinary seating area.
It might be labelled an ordinary seating but with Jeffrey there, it was now a VIP area.
Everyone’s attention was on this table, and time and again, guests came up to toast him and give praises.
The table where Mance was seated was completely ignored and nobody bothered about him.
Throughout the whole meal, Mance said not a word, but drank alone instead.
Nancy Hinton tried to console Mance, but she did not know how so she just let him be.
Due to the presence of certain toxins in his body, Jeffrey could not take liquor and so, he left after a short while.
After Jeffrey left, Lacey was full of apologies and she told Zeke, “Zeke, I’m so sorry for what happened just now. I should have trusted you.”
Zeke lovingly stroked Lacey’s long hair and said, “Lacey, don’t talk silly again. We are one family. What is there to be sorry or apologetic about?”
Lacey smiled shyly, “Yeah, Zeke, how did you know Jeffrey? You didn’t mention this before.”
Zeke replied, “Oh, Jeffrey is suffering from an intractable disease, only I could save him.”
“How could he not respect his only savior?”
Lacey Hinton replied thoughtfully with an “Oh,” but she had some doubts.
If it was just treating sickness, there was really no need to worship him like an idol.
This man is exasperating. How I wish I could cut him open and see what secrets he holds inside him.
At this point, intermittently, guests came to greet Zeke and to build connections.
Nancy Hinton glared at him angrily.
Why? Why on earth?
He is nothing but a kept-man who depends on his wife and has no skills at all. All he has is some medical knowledge.
How can he steal the limelight from my hero?
In order to avenge her hero, Nancy stood up, snorted and announced, “You people, do not be fooled by his appearance.”
“As a matter of fact, this fella is just a kept-man who depends on his wife for food and lodging. His car and his home are all his wife’s.”
“He has no money and no power. All he can do is to pretend to be something he is not.”
The crowd were surprised.
A kept-man?
How could Jeffrey respect a kept-man so much?
Mance added to the insults, “As far as I know, Jeffrey is in good health. He is not sick at all.”
“Are you fooling the crowd by deceiving Jeffrey into believing that he is suffering from an intractable disease which only you can cure?”
“You are committing the crime of deceiving the mayor. In ancient times, you would be beheaded!”
Doubts had been cast and the crowd started talking among themselves.
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