Kennedy, of Harbor City’s Langdon family.
Kayden, of Harbor City’s Langdon family.
Bob Lancaster, one of Harbor City’s bigshots.
While Bob did not hold a candle to the four richest families in Harbor City, the man’s wealth and status were definitely that of an elite in venues where the four main families were not present.
No one had expected Jasper to be able to invite three of Harbor City’s richest families for his topping-out ceremony.
The reporters felt lightheaded and were moments away from going crazy. They were all too excited and could barely contain the urge to step forward and interview the newly-arrived guest, but the stern-looking bodyguards in black suits were very effective in deterring them.
Both Zane and Mitch were stunned when they saw their fathers.
They had not expected their fathers, who had remained impartial all this while, to suddenly rush over for this.
Even so, they dared not hesitate and quickly went to greet them.
“You’ve done well, Jasper.” Kayden smiled at him after observing the surroundings.
Jasper shook Kayden’s hands and smiled. “Quite a bit of hard work and ideas were pitched during the designing process back then, and we’ve taken inspiration from quite a few of Harbor City’s design concepts in order to have Southface River look the way it does today. I could bring you around for a tour later.”
Kayden nodded. “Sure, I’ve got to get a good look at it. If I could, I was hoping to buy a few businesses here, and wait for its value to rise.”
“You’re very welcome to do so.”
Jasper then turned to extend his hand toward Kennedy. “Thank you for coming, Mr. Kennedy.”
Kennedy chuckled and shook Jasper’s hand while replying, “Not bad, it looks much better than I imagined. It seems like we elders need to learn more from youths like you, or we’ll only get left behind and forgotten.”
Jasper smiled. “Your experience and knowledge is something we youths can only dream of having. We’re still young and there are many places where we’ll need guidance from elders like you.”
Kennedy shook Jasper’s hand and turned to smile at Bob as he spoke, “See? I told you Jasper’s the best wordsmith amongst all the youth in Harbor City. The way he speaks makes you feel good, doesn’t it?”
Bob smiled humorlessly and replied, “That’s not right. Jasper isn’t from Harbor City, he doesn’t count as one of Harbor City’s youths.”
“Harbor City’s part of Somerland now, it means the same thing,” Jasper replied calmly.
Scoffing, Bob spoke rather emotionlessly, “Don’t think that you can butter me up with your honeyed words. I’ve got miles more experience than you; have you no shame trying to show off?”
Just then, Zane and Mitch rushed over as well.
“Dad.”
The two greeted their respective fathers.
“What are you two doing here?” Bob frowned at his son and asked solemnly.
“I, I…”
Zane stammered and kept glancing at Mitch.
Mitch frowned. He could not help but think that Zane was an utterly stupid motherf*cker.
“We came over to the Mainland to scout the market, but we couldn’t find anything worth investing in. We were passing by the Southeast Province when he heard the news, so we came over to take a look as well.”
Mitch’s excuse was completely unconvincing.
However, in an event as grand as this one, no one truly cared whether your reason to attend was believable or not. As long as you had a reason, that was good enough.
Kennedy glanced at his son and turned to Jasper. “Jasper, the Boyle family wanted me to help extend their apologies. He’s on a business trip right now and his children are preoccupied with their previous arrangements, so he could not come this time.”
Jasper narrowed his eyes slightly at Kennedy’s words.
He had sent the Boyle family their invitation alongside the Law family.
Despite this, the Boyle family had yet to inform them whether or not they would be attending.
Logically speaking, guests tended to inform the host if they could not attend the event due to specific reasons, or if they could attend, what time they would arrive.
It was unusual for someone else to pass the message.
Zachary had unintentionally mentioned to Jasper before that the Boyle family was the most fickle out of the four richest families. The man followed went wherever there were benefits to be found, which was also why the Boyle family had the most shallow roots compared to the other three richest families.
If he could not afford to offend anyone, then he would just steer clear of the event altogether.
Jasper’s relationship with the Boyle family was rather amicable thanks to the Law family. They had worked together a couple of times and their cooperation was always all mutually beneficial.
In any case, Jasper had personally invited the four richest families for this event.
The Law family’s attendance was a given, but even Kennedy, who was not on good terms with Jasper had come as well. Yet, the Boyle family was nowhere to be seen.
Kennedy was the one who brought word of this as well.
Not to mention, his message was rather intriguing.
Chuckling, Kennedy spoke, “Why, do you not believe me?”
Jasper smiled and replied, “Why would Mr. Kennedy lie to me? If Mr. Boyle can’t come, then we could always meet again in the future. Shall we go inside? Uncle Law and the officials from the Provincial and City Government are already inside.”
“Sure, let’s.” Kennedy smiled meaningfully as he followed Bob and Kayden, who were smiling silently the entire time, inside.
Zane glared at Jasper, who was walking away alongside the other bigshots, and spoke enviously, “What the f*ck. We’re around the same age. Hell, that b*stard’s even two years younger than me! Who gave him the right to be on equal footing as my dad’s generation?”
“How the f*ck did you consider that equal footing?” Mitch glared at Zane and said irritably.
“Who does he think he is? He’s nothing more than an entertainer for the important guests here, okay? He’s nothing more than a clown in my dad’s eyes.
“Don’t worry, he’ll be nothing more than a stray dog on the street very soon,” Mitch murmured as he stared at Jasper’s retreating figure in disgust.
A content smile hung at the corner of both Mitch and Zane’s lips as they imagined Jasper’s despondent look in the future.
…
Now that all the bigshots had arrived, the ceremony could officially begin.
With so many impressive guests in attendance, Jasper and Dawson had a quick discussion and decided to change the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the last minute.
Ribbon-cutting was the most important part of the topping-out ceremony. The person in charge of cutting, as well as the placement of the guests were very important details.
“You can rearrange them then. Oh, and remember not to add me into the mix. I’ll just watch the ceremony.”
Dawson patted Jasper’s shoulder as he walked into the crowd and spoke with a smile.
