Chapter 3: Dinner

Words : 1779 Updated : Feb 19th, 2024

"I'll go with you, but I've got some work to finish first. I'll be a bit late. You should go ahead; I can't keep the dinner waiting," Eileen said. The Grand Hotel was one of the most upscale spots in River Chamber City. By the time Marty arrived, most of his relatives were already seated, including his mother, Candice Dove. The guest of honor that night was Marty's cousin-in-law, Lewis Shadboult, a young man dressed in a sharp suit, his hair perfectly styled. He carried himself with a smug air of superiority. "Lewis, you're so young and already promoted to deputy manager! You've got a bright future ahead of you," one of Marty's cousins gushed. "I've heard the Allure Group has excellent pay and benefits," another relative chimed in. "If there's ever an opening, maybe you could help us get in?" Marty's aunt glanced at him with a sly smile. "Speaking of Allure Group, isn't Marty working there too? He's a driver at the headquarters, right?" "Marty," she said, her tone dripping with false encouragement, "look at your cousin-in-law. He's not much older than you, yet he's already a deputy manager. Meanwhile, you're just a driver. You've got to work harder!" Her words stung, but it was clear she was mocking him, not encouraging him. Marty's cousin joined in. "Marty, you were doing so well in the army. Why did you leave? If you had stuck it out a few more years, you might've become an officer." His uncle jumped in as well. "Exactly! These days, good jobs are hard to find. Without any skills, you won't get ahead. You're a driver now, and twenty years from now, you'll still be a driver." Then, as if she had a brilliant idea, Marty's aunt turned to Lewis. "Lewis, why don't you help Marty out? You're a deputy manager now. Surely your company will assign you a driver. Marty could work for you, and you could help him climb the ladder." She turned to Marty with a triumphant smile. "How about it, Marty? Your cousin-in-law could give you a hand." Was it really an offer to help? Or just another dig at him? Lewis, acting like the perfect gentleman, said, "Well, it's possible... but I'm just a deputy manager. For Marty to get promoted, the general manager's approval is needed. We'd have to figure out how to win him over." Marty's uncle stroked his chin thoughtfully. "You've got to know what the general manager likes! What's he into?" Feigning deep thought, Lewis said, "Our general manager is really into collecting antiques." He then cast a pointed look at Candice. "Aunt, I've heard you have a set of 24 golden acupuncture needles. If you were to gift those to the general manager, I'm sure he'd be thrilled. That could secure Marty's future!" The backstory was simple: Marty's grandfather had been a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner. He had a son and a daughter—Marty's uncle and his mother, Candice. While his uncle had no interest in carrying on the family legacy, Candice had inherited her father's skills. Before his passing, Marty's grandfather entrusted his medical tools to Candice, including a set of 24 golden needles, a treasured family heirloom. Over the years, Marty's uncle had made several attempts to convince Candice to sell the needles, estimating they could fetch around $20,000. His plan was to split the money between them, but Candice had always refused. This refusal had left a lingering resentment between them. Tonight's dinner was nothing more than a thinly veiled attempt to pressure Candice into giving up the needles. Lewis continued, "Once the general manager accepts the gift, with my help, Marty could easily get promoted to deputy section chief." "Aunt, those golden needles are worth at least $20,000. Once Marty becomes a deputy section chief, he could earn that much in no time." Marty couldn't help but chuckle silently. They weren't trying to help him—they just wanted the golden needles. They had concocted this entire charade to get their hands on them, knowing full well they wouldn't actually gift them to the general manager. They'd sell them and pocket the cash. As for Marty's future? They couldn't care less. To them, he was just a driver. What could he possibly do to stop them? Candice wasn't naive either. She saw through the scheme. Shaking her head, she firmly said, "The needles were my father's keepsake. I won't sell them, and I won't give them away." Marty's uncle twitched at her words, a flicker of anger in his eyes. His cousin, unable to stay quiet, sneered, "Aunt, think carefully! This is for Marty's future. You know what kind of person your son is." "When he was in school, he skipped class all the time and was always at the bottom of his class. Even after years in the army, he didn't get a single promotion. He says he left on his own, but I bet he was kicked out." "With his lack of ambition, if no one helps him, he'll never even find a wife!" "And now, when he has a golden opportunity, you won't do what's best for him?" Marty smirked inwardly. They really had no idea. He hadn't skipped school for no reason—he had been training under a master. And after leaving the army, he didn't just fade into obscurity. He had become a mercenary leader abroad, feared in the underworld with the title of "King of Assassins." But none of that was something he could share with his family. They wouldn't believe him, and besides, he didn't want his mother to worry. So he kept his real life under wraps. "Brother, enough," Lewis said, waving his hand dismissively and taking a sip of wine. "The golden needles belong to Aunt. It's her decision." Then, with a smile that didn't reach his eyes, he added, "But Aunt, don't worry. Even without a gift, I'll still do my best to help Marty." "Here's what I'll do: tomorrow, I'll request a driver from headquarters and personally name Marty. It's a simple transfer to a lower-level position, and I'm sure they'll approve it. Once Marty's working under me, I'll make sure to... take care of him." The word "care" carried an unmistakable edge, as if forced through gritted teeth. It was a thinly veiled threat. The message was clear: if you don't hand over the needles, I'll make sure Marty suffers. I'll keep him close and ensure he has no future at the company. Sure, Marty could quit, but with limited opportunities, if he couldn't make it at Allure Group, where else could he go? These were the thoughts running through Lewis' mind, though outwardly, he maintained his polished, elegant facade. After all, the sharpest knives are often hidden behind the kindest smiles.

Chapter 3: Dinner

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