However, before she could finish, Mr. James Sr. roared, "Have you said enough?! If you don''t want to eat, then get out!"


    Although Mr. James Sr. favored Mrs. James Sr. and her children, what he desired most was a peaceful family. He had always deluded himself into believing the children from his first and second marriages could get along.


    It had been a long time since Mrs. James Sr. had seen her husband so angry. She shot a look at her son.


    "Dad, calm down. Let me eat a bit more with you. The banquet today will be a long one, we''ll probably be busy untilte tonight."


    Joshua yed the part of the dutiful, considerate son, even instructing a servant to bring out the warmed bird''s nest soup.


    Mr. James Sr. managed to suppress his anger and picked up his utensils again.


    Seeing this, Joshua nced at his son. Jason understood, picked up a piece of meat with his chubby hands, and ced it in Mr. James Sr.''s bowl.


    "Grandpa, eat some meat."


    "Good boy, Jason." Mr. James Sr. ruffled his grandson''s hair, a faint smile finally appearing on his face.


    Meanwhile, Teresa, Yvonne, and Jeffrey were in the car on their way to the hotel. Teresa was silent and sullen, her face etched with worry.


    "Jeffrey, your grandfather must be furious that we just left like that. With your father in trouble, if we offend your grandfather too, our lives will only get harder. You''re not married yet. Without the James family''s backing, how will you ever marry a girl from a good family?"


    "I should have listened to your uncle and tried to smooth things over with Queena. With both the James and Rogers families supporting you, your future would be secure."


    Teresa rambled on.


    Jeffrey sighed and rubbed his


    forehead. "Mom, you and Uncle have been swallowing your pride for years, and Grandfather has never once sided with you. I''m a docter. I''ll work hard for my own futurez dont need anyone''s backing. From now on, you don''t have topromise for anything."


    "Also, before Dad''s ident, he went to great lengths to marry Queena into the Rogers family, even giving her half of the Spencer family''s was


    assets as a wedding gifts


    raised by you for over a decade and caffed me her brother for just as long. We''ve done more than enough


    for her. From now on, she has


    nothing to do with us. You don''t


    need to listen to them and humiliate


    yourself."


    Teresa listened, shaking her head uncertainly, then nodding. Her mind was a mess.


    Mr. James Sr.''s birthday banquet was indeed a grand affair.


    Nearly all of stra''s political and business elites were in attendance. If it wasn''t the head of the family, it was the heir of the younger generation. Everyone showed Mr. James Simmense respect.


    Mr. James Sr. and Mrs. James Sr. arrived rtivelyte.


    Mr. James Sr. was in a deep red traditional suit, while Mrs. James Sr. wore a dress. The elderly couple both looked festive and cheerful.


    Everyone crowded around the guest of honor. Mr. James Sr. was undoubtedly the star of the day.


    Marcia and Joshua stayed close to their parents, greeting guests and eptingpliments. They certainly looked like a harmonious and happy family.


    Meanwhile, Jerome, the eldest son, and his family were marginalized.


    Marcia and her husband gifted Mr. James Sr. a calligraphy set worth a fortune. Joshua gave him an ancient painting by a famous artist. Both gifts were tailored to his tastes.


    Mr. James Sr. praised both of his children, and the other guests chimed in, showering Marcia and Joshua withpliments.