Chapter 222


    Chapter 222


    Secondly, she had thought that she was the star of tonight''s banquet.She was the oneing to meet


    the parents, yet no one from the Levine family bothered to even look at her.She found it uneptable


    being disregarded by others this way.


    Yet, she dared not express her displeasure.


    For the very first time in her life, she felt like a nobody in front of these people.


    After n and William exchanged pleasantries, they entered the hall of Levine Manor and walked


    straight toward the luxurious dining hall.


    Everyone took their seats in order of hierarchy around the massive banquet table.


    Servants stood ready at the side to serve and help with dinner proceedings.


    Conversations at the table werergelyposed of n and William catching up with each other,


    reminiscing over past memories and chatting up a storm.


    "I wanted to join Levine Ventures’ 60th anniversary celebration, but I had to make ast minute trip to


    the capital city.My apologies, n," William said sincerely.


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    "You''re being a stranger by apologizing.But I hope you don''t mind that I went ahead to announce John


    and Jessica''s engagement in your absence."


    "What are you talking about? We agreed on the engagement a long time ago.To have the engagement


    announced at such a momentous asion of the Levines is Jessica''s honor,"


    William hurriedly responded.


    "Just listen to you.It''s John''s honor to be able to marry Jessica, as much as it is the honor of the Levine


    household."


    n added without missing a beat.


    The two of them continued singing praises about each other and their families.


    Zoe shot her brother a nce.She had no chance to talk to John privately given that the elders were


    around.She was unable to tell from the expressionless look on his face whether he truly epted the


    engagement no.velebook with the Stuarts, and it made her anxious.


    "Oh yes, you and your family hardlye by North City.Stay for a couple more days.I''ll have John


    bring all of you around.North City has developed quite fast over the years and much has changed,"


    n warmly invited them.


    "Coincidentally, I''m free this week.I only need to make a trip to the capital city next week."


    William agreed with n''s suggestion and added, "But my body isn''t in great condition, so sightseeing


    around the ce is out of the question.I just want to y chess with you over some tea."


    "That''s true.You can see for yourself the state of my health too.I''m wheelchair-bound and it''s not


    convenient for me to head out.Though us old folks can''t head out, the youngsters can go out and have


    fun by themselves.They''ve spent much time abroad, but John has returned for half a year and they


    might feel a little distant."


    n turned to look at John, "John, from tomorrow on, spend more time with Jessica.I''ll have Randy


    settle work matters in the office."


    "Sure." John acquiesced.He did not look enthusiastic about it, but neither did he look particrly


    resistant against the idea.


    "Jessica," n called.


    "Grandpa," Jessica addressed him cordially as she put her spoon down, exuding perfect upper-ss


    manners.


    "Go out and have some fun with John tomorrow.Just let him know where you''d like to go, anywhere is


    fine.Should John dare to bully you, just tell me," n said benevolently to Jessica.


    "Thank you Grandpa, though John wouldn''t bully me," Jessica replied with a chuckle.


    "He''s always taken good care of me while we were both living abroad."


    "That''s good."


    n nodded,forted by Jessica''s words.


    "Oh yes, why don''t I see Dicky around today?"


    Jessica suddenly piped up, "I used to see him every day.Now that Dicky and John have returned home,


    I haven''t seen him for so long that I miss him terribly."


    "Dicky''s in grade school now and has sses at night," John replied to her.


    "Does Dicky still need additional sses? He''s such a brilliant child! " Jessica was surprised.


    "He''s not too great at spelling," John exined.


    Jessica could not hold back a chuckle.


    Richard had been living abroad since young.It was good enough that he knew how to speak English.


    "I was about to nominate myself as a tutor for Dicky if you''re too busy.But my writtennguage isn''t


    exactly fantastic.I spent a lot of my time abroad when I was young, just like you," Jessica said rather


    helplessly.


    "It''s fine.We hired a home tutor for him," John said tly.


    His tone matched his overall attitude toward Jessica—neither proactive nor resistant.Anger boiled in


    Zoe as she watched on.


    D*mn that scumbag.