To everyone''s surprise, instead of throwing Gerald and his wife out as anticipated, the two guards at the entrance courteously took their items and respectfully escorted them inside.


    The crowd gradually came to their senses when Gerald and his wife''s figures disappeared from view. Harold''s face stiffened, his expression filled with astonishment. He and the rest of the Shepard family looked extremely displeased as they stood stiffly.


    Others began to mock them upon seeing this scene.


    "These people were just making fun of them, thinking they were superior. Now look, the bumpkins got in while they were left outside. Isn''t that a p in the face?"


    "Exactly! With their sycophantic behavior, how do they have the audacity to look down on others? They must have done something to upset the Knight family. Otherwise, why would the Knight family shut them out on such a joyous day?"


    "I think we should distance ourselves from them to avoid any trouble."


    As soon as this was said, several guests standing close quickly stepped back as if afraid of catching some contagious disease. Even Briggs, who had been chatting warmly with Harold earlier, now avoided them.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    When Harold nced at him with a steely gaze, Briggs made a hasty excuse. "Oh, Harold, I just remembered I have some urgent business to attend to. Let''s catch up another day."


    With that, he turned and left, making it clear he was avoiding them like the gue.


    As the spectators saw this, their contempt and scorn intensified even further.


    These looks were as painful as being skinned alive for the reputation-conscious Shepard. family. Gresham''s face burned with embarrassment as he lowered his


    head and avoided looking at anyone.


    He then subtly moved closer to Harold and whispered, "Dad, given the current situation, staying here isn''t helping. We should probably go back."


    Harold clenched and unclenched his fists several times, his eyes filled with deep reluctance. He gave the Knight family''s entrance onest long look before turning sharply. "Let''s go!" With hismand, the Shepard family followed closely behind and left the venue.


    Once in the car, Vera voiced her confusion. "What is going on with the Knight family? Why did they block us but let Gerald''s family in? Are we really considered lower than those hicks?"


    Gresham, seeing her frustration,


    gently patted her hand to soothe her. "Don''t forget, Benedict''s status has drastically changed. The Knight family must be treating them respectfully because Benedict is Mr. Hamish''s apprentice. If it were any other day, the Knight family wouldn''t have let people like them get anywhere near."


    Upon hearing this, Vera remembered Benedict''s prestigious connection. If that was the case, it all made sense. After all, without that connection, Gerald''s family had nothing else noteworthy.


    However, she still couldn''t understand why the Knight family would treat the Shepard family so differently. "But even so, why block us? What could we have done to deserve this?"