chapter 20 Inviolable ===

In a luxurious villa in Lymelathe City, when anyone pushed open the bronze door decorated with hollow reliefs, they would see an extremely luxurious hall. The magnificent design and glittering decoration made anyone feel like they were in a royal castle in the new century. In the corner of the hall, four elegant middle-aged men and women were sitting together, playing mahjong. What they played was not an automatic mahjong table, but a manual mahjong table, which gave off a taste of tackiness. The mahjong they used was made of pure ivory. A set of mahjong was extremely expensive and showed their noble status. The mahjong players were divided into two men and two women. They were the heads and wives of the White family and the Willow family, two of the four largest families in Lymelathe City. Owen White was wearing white cotton casual clothes, with a fair face and no beard. Although he was nearly fifty years old, he had the handsomeness of a mature man. He was the head of the White family and the father of Hubbery White. Sitting on Owen's right hand was his wife Verna Hawkins, a middle-aged woman who was slightly fatter and pampered. Opposite Owen was a middle-aged man with broad bones, a thin face, and a hooked nose. He was wearing a shirt and vest and had a pocket watch hanging in his chest pocket. He looked like a nostalgic old scholar. It was Elsa's father, the head of the Willow family, Newman WIllow. Sitting on the right side of Newman was his wife, Elsa's mother, Paula Jenkins. Judging from the appearance, Elsa's beauty was completely matched by this person's. Although she was middle-aged, she was well-maintained and still beautiful. "Bamboo Nine." Owen played a tile, picked up the teacup, took a sip, and said with a smile, "Brother Willow, we will become in-laws in a short while. I have paid quite a lot for the betrothal gift, but I don't know what kind of dowry you will give to that girl Elsa when the time comes?" As soon as this was said, the four people present all laughed kindly. Newman smiled lightly and said, "The dowry will be quite a lot, but since you asked, Brother White, I know you must have something in mind. Let's do this. Look at what's rare in my family. As long as you ask, I will use it as a dowry for Elsa. " Owen's eyes lit up, he looked at a landscape painting hanging on the wall and said, "You know, I've been thinking about that painting of The Autumn Pavilion." Newman's hand that was touching the tile paused, and he said in a dumbfounded voice, "Ha, I knew it. You old boy, you have no good intentions!" Verna and Paula both covered their mouths and laughed. Verna rolled her eyes at Owen, slapped him, and said coquettishly, "You know how to cause problems for your in-laws, isn't this taking advantage of others!" Paula patted the back of Newman's hand and said softly, "My in-laws like it, so I'll give it to my in-laws. As the saying goes, a sword is given to a hero, and a famous painting is given to an elegant person." Newman shook his head and sighed, "That painting was the treasure in Aldrich Herbert's hand back then, and it was difficult for Owen and I to even take a second look at it. A year ago, I divided up the big cake of the Herbert family. For this painting, I have given up a lot of benefits from it. The thought of giving it to this Owen makes me so heartbroken that I can't breathe! " But Owen laughed and said, "So, you agreed?" Newman rolled his eyes, picked up the hot tea cup, blew a sip of tea leaves on the water's surface, causing ripples, and said with a smile, "It doesn't matter if I give it to you, but I can't let you take it away directly. After all, it is a priceless ancient masterpiece. Let's do this, I will hold an auction banquet in a few days, and then this painting will be auctioned off as the grand finale. You can ask someone to raise the price to 200 million to 300 million, and then just take the painting away. As a result, the price of this painting has doubled several times. If you really want to sell it one day, how can others have the nerve to lower the price too much? Don't you agree? " The four people present laughed kindly together again. They were the most powerful group of people in Lymelathe City. The so-called gold and silver wealth was no longer important in their eyes. A priceless painting was certainly precious, but since one wanted it, the other was willing to give it to him. From the moment Owen opened his mouth, this ending was actually destined. As for Verna's obstruction and Paula's persuasion, it was just the standard process. After all, after they get married, the income and profits they would bring will far exceed the value of a famous painting. Newman's move not only gave away the painting but also increased the price of the painting. It could be said that he killed two birds with one stone. The prices of items were all speculated. Rich people made money, and sometimes, it was that simple. Sipping tea, Newman looked at Owen, "Speaking of which, the two children should have announced their wedding date at Maxobridge Villa, right? Tonight at Elsa's birthday party, let them get engaged in front of celebrities from all walks of life in the city. The purpose is to announce to everyone that our two families will be inseparable from now on. I think our previous arrangements can be implemented starting from tomorrow. " Owen smiled and nodded, "Yes, make money sooner rather than later. I think so too." As soon as they finished speaking, their cell phones suddenly rang at the same time, almost in no particular order. The faces of the four people all showed a little surprise. Given Owen and Newman's status, few people dared to call them at this time of night. In other words, since the call came, it was no small matter! They each looked at their phones and found that it was their children, Hubbery and Elsa, calling. A doting smile appeared on Verna's face, and she said lightly, "These two children, is there any need to announce the good news together?" Paula warned, "Ask the two children if they want to come back for soup later. Drinking alcohol will hurt the stomach." Newman nodded and answered the phone. Owen also smiled and answered the phone. "Dad! The adopted son of the Herbert family, Humphrey Harrelson, is back! Uncle Payne is dead! I was beaten!" Elsa's gritted teeth came out. "Dad, someone came to Elsa's birthday party today to cause trouble. It's Humphrey, Dempsey's brother with a different last name! He is provoking us and sentenced us to death!" This was Hubbery's gloomy voice. The four people at the table all changed their expressions, and the atmosphere instantly became extremely depressing! Owen and Newman looked at each other, and they both saw cold murderous intent in each other's eyes, especially Newman, whose face was as gloomy as ice. "Good daughter, please wait a moment. Your Uncle White and I will come over now. If anything happens, we can tell you in person when we arrive." Owen nodded and said to the phone, "Wait for us." The two of them stood up suddenly, and Owen sneered, "Aldrich's adopted son dares to go back to this city to mess around? What does he want to do, a lone hero to avenge his brother and father?" Newman said coldly, "I don't care what he wants to do. If he dares to beat my daughter or kill my housekeeper, I will make his head fall to the ground tonight!" Paula and Verna also stood up with cold faces! "Crush that little beast into thousands of pieces!" Verna's face looked ferocious! Paula also said very cruelly, "Yes, chop him into pieces and feed them to the dogs! And whether he has any relatives or friends, they will all be chopped into pieces and fed to the dogs!" They were Lymelathe City's nobles. When they had nothing to do, they were affable and polite and were more gentlemen than the Western gentlemen. But if someone offended them, they would show their claws and declare their majesty! They were the four major families in Lymelathe City, and they were the local emperors of this city! They were not to be offended! They were not to be offended! Anyone who dared to offend them, no matter who they were, would pay the price they deserve!