In the grand lobby of the Blue Sea Pearl, They stood quietly at the edge of the hall. From afar, they watched their daughter and Jason surrounded by a circle of titans of industry.
Billionaires raised glasses. Corporate emperors offered blessings. Every gesture carried respect. Every smile carried courtesy.
The couple felt waves of emotion rise within them, yet neither stepped forward to interrupt. The more they watched, the more shaken they became.
They realized that from the very beginning, they had fallen into a rigid mindset. Subconsciously, they had believed Jason had many women. If Shenna followed him, she would have to compete endlessly for favor. Her life wouldn't be good. She would never have status.
But reality was the complete opposite.
Even as "one among many," Shenna stood there like a princess at the center of the world. Pampered. Respected. Admired.
If she married Brown, would she ever receive treatment like this? The answer felt painfully obvious.
A short while later, Adrian returned after finishing his phone call. They were just about to carefully probe there family's stance when Adrian spoke first.
"After discussion, there family has decided to cancel our birthday banquet." He smiled politely, almost ingratiatingly. "After all, Mr. Carter's celebration is so sincere. We wouldn't want to add unnecessary complications."
He paused, then added, "Uncle, Aunt, could you introduce me? On behalf of there family, I'd like to personally offer congratulations. Brown will also be coming later to wish Shenna a happy birthday."
They froze. Just like that, the problem was solved? The accusations they feared never came. The pressure they expected never arrived. There family had backed down completely.
At that moment, their earlier thinking felt even more misguided. If Shenna married into there family, they would still need to watch there family's attitude carefully. But now? There family had to watch their daughter's attitude. Even their own status had risen because of her.
The couple quietly exhaled in relief. Then they led Adrian forward toward Jason.
When Shenna saw her parents approaching, she instinctively stepped back and hid behind Jason. The small gesture pierced there hearts like needles. Shame rose within them.
They had always claimed they were thinking for her future, thinking for her happiness. Yet they had overlooked her feelings entirely. Now, when she saw them, she chose to hide behind a boy she had only known for a short time.
"Mr Carter, I've heard so much about you." Adrian stepped forward respectfully. Gone was the imposing aura he had earlier. Under Jason's presence and the pressure of so many elites, he looked more like a junior paying respects.
Shenna glanced at Adrian in surprise, then looked up at Jason, her eyes filled with admiration.
Jason smiled lightly. "A guest is a guest, Mr. Zane. No need for formality. Enjoy the wine and food. Make yourself at home."
He gave a brief nod, then casually resumed chatting with other business magnates. He didn't treat Adrian as an enemy. In fact, he barely treated him as someone requiring attention.
The moment Adrian boarded, the manager had already reported it. Jason had personally instructed: if there family arrived, let them in immediately. He wasn't afraid they'd cause trouble. He was only afraid they wouldn't dare.
Some time later, Zane finally arrived. Beside him walked a bearded middle-aged man with a hearty smile. Brown's expression looked unwilling yet restrained. The middle-aged man, however, looked delighted.
He was Victor's younger brother, Marcus. Though he had lost the previous generation's succession battle, his capability still secured him a powerful position within the family.
Marcus laughed heartily as he approached. "Young Master Carter, your banquet is truly magnificent! In comparison, our Zane family's event looks embarrassingly modest. No wonder Shenna chose your celebration." He chuckled loudly. "I would've made the same choice!"
He turned warmly. "Happy birthday, Shenna."
Then he suddenly pressed a hand on Brown's neck, pushing him forward. His eyes glared sharply in warning.
Brown might be arrogant outside, but he clearly respected this uncle. Even unwilling, he had no choice but to speak.
"Shenna, happy birthday."
Then he forced himself to look at Jason. "Mr Carter, would you mind if we joined the celebration?"
Jason looked calmly at Brown and spoke in an even tone. "Of course I don't mind." He paused, then added with a faint smile, "Just don't threaten people like you did last time."
Brown's eyelid twitched. An awkward smile forced its way onto his face. "How could I dare? Last time I only wanted to discuss business. Maybe I wasn't very good with my words. You misunderstood."
Outwardly, he looked submissive. Inside, he was seething. But remembering his father's warning and feeling Marcus's sharp gaze beside him, he swallowed everything down.
More importantly, when Brown looked around Jason's side, he finally felt it. The pressure.
Every single one of them stood at a level comparable to his father. Some even higher. Facing such a lineup, even Brown felt intimidated.
He had always been arrogant and domineering, but most of the time, he bullied the weak while fearing the strong, relying on there family's backing. Now? Even there family had to lower their heads here. Without that backing, he had no ground to stand on.
As the host, Jason invited everyone to take their seats. The central banquet table quickly filled.
And Jason deliberately arranged for Brown, Adrian, and Marcus to sit at the same table as well.
Adrian and Marcus, men who could normally walk sideways through elite circles, now appeared slightly restrained. The table was massive. There was plenty of space. Yet they still sat closer together instinctively.
If Victor himself were present, he might sit as an equal. But they weren't qualified.
Brown ended up squeezed in the middle by the two of them, which only made his mood darker.
After sitting, Jason continued chatting and laughing with the tycoons. Business trends. Policy winds. Overseas investments. He spoke freely, naturally. As if there family didn't exist.
He never mentioned that there family had arranged a birthday banquet. Never asked why they came. Never showed concern at all. It was as though their presence didn't require acknowledgment.
Since Jason didn't bring it up, no one else dared to either. But Adrian and Marcus grew increasingly uneasy. They had expressed goodwill earlier, but what if Jason misunderstood? What if he thought they came to cause trouble?
Business language was subtle. Misinterpretations were dangerous.
So they began repeatedly offering toasts. Humble. Respectful. Marcus raised his glass often. Adrian followed. They even nudged Brown to do the same, forcing him to toast multiple times. Not only to Jason, but to Shenna as well.
Watching this scene, They felt waves of emotion. Once, their entire family stood beneath there family. Now, Zane family members were respectfully toasting them.
Jason didn't say a word. Didn't assert dominance. Yet there family had already bowed.
Shenna naturally noticed everything. Her gaze toward Jason grew softer, warmer, filled with admiration. She wasn't materialistic. She had never lacked money growing up. Wealth alone never impressed her.
But beside Jason, she felt safe. At ease. Free from pressure. Free from expectations. She didn't have to care about anyone's opinion or do anything she disliked.
Shenna: Favorability +1
After chatting with the tycoons for a while, Jason suddenly shifted the topic. He swirled the wine in his glass casually and asked, "Gentlemen, are you familiar with Ashes Capital?"
The moment the name was spoken, Shenna and her parent looked slightly confused. They had heard the name but didn't know much about it.
Adrian and Marcus, however, felt their hearts jolt. A faint tremor passed through their expressions.
Because they knew that if Jason brought up Ashes Capital here, it definitely wasn't small talk.
Kevin leaned forward slightly. "Ashes Capital? The private equity firm that's been aggressively shorting tech stocks recently?"
Jason nodded. "The same. They've been operating quietly for years, but their recent moves have been bold. Too bold."
Ethan frowned. "I've heard rumors they're targeting mid-tier companies with leverage issues. Forcing them into distressed sales."
"Exactly," Jason said. His tone remained casual, but his eyes carried a sharper edge. "They've been circling a few companies in my portfolio. Nothing overt yet, but the pattern is clear."
Matthew set down his glass. "Do you need support?"
Jason smiled faintly. "Not yet. But I wanted to mention it. If Ashes Capital continues this trajectory, they'll eventually step on toes they can't afford to."
The table fell silent for a moment. The message was clear. Jason wasn't asking for help. He was issuing a quiet warning to anyone listening.
Adrian and Marcus exchanged a glance. They understood immediately. This wasn't just casual conversation. This was Jason demonstrating his awareness, his network, and his willingness to act if provoked.
And sitting at this table, surrounded by these men, the implication was unmistakable. If Jason moved against Ashes Capital, he wouldn't be alone.
Brown, oblivious to the deeper currents, shifted uncomfortably in his seat. He didn't fully grasp what was happening, but he could feel the weight in the air.
Jason raised his glass. "Anyway, tonight is about celebration. Let's not dwell on unpleasant business." He smiled warmly at Shenna. "To the birthday girl."
Everyone raised their glasses. "To Shenna."
She blushed slightly, smiling shyly as she clinked glasses with Jason. And in that moment, surrounded by power, wealth, and influence, she realized something profound.
This wasn't just a birthday party. This was Jason's world. And he had invited her to stand at the center of it.
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