Filed to story: Disdained Son-in-Law, Destined Riches >>
He patted Joe’s shoulder and said, “My daughter is so lucky to be your wife.”
“Huh, it’s just an invitation card, what’s so special about it?” Elaine snarled sarcastically.
Jacob glared at Elaine in annoyance, clutching the invitation card tightly. “What do you know, you dimwit? This is the invitation card from the Treasure Pavilion!”
Then, he turned to Joe and said, grinning ear to ear, “Come, sit down, let’s eat!”
He waved his hand at Claire and said, “Go and get the bottle of fine whiskey from the cabinet, I want to have a couple of drinks with my good son-in-law tonight.”
Elaine glared at Joe when she saw her husband was happy and continued her dinner quietly.
Claire was also very happy for her father but she was a little skeptical. When she came back with the whiskey, she bumped Joe’s elbow as she sat down and asked, “Where did you get the invitation card from, anyway?”
She heard about her father’s sulking when she was at the office earlier today and wanted to get one for him. Then only she realized that the invitation card from the Treasure Pavilion was limited to every family!
How did Joe do it?
Joe smiled warmly and said, “I asked a friend, he received two but he didn’t want to go, so he gave it to me.”
“Really?” Claire frowned, still not convinced. “How come I never heard you say that you have a friend with such a good family background? What’s his name?”
Joe said faintly, “His last name is Quinton, I helped him once in Antique Street the other day. Dad knows him…”
Jacob nodded. “Oh yes, he’s right, the Quinton guy even gave Joe a jade bracelet that is worth five or six million!”
When Elaine heard about the bracelet that was worth five or six million, her eyes opened wide and there was a dash of sparkles in it!
“Bracelet? Where is it? Show me!”
Joe was getting a little cautious. He said calmly, “Mom, the bracelet is in my bedroom, but I plan to return it.”
“What? Return it?” Elaine frowned in dismay. “Are you out of your mind? Why do you want to return such a precious gift?”
“It’s just a small favor, I don’t deserve such an expensive gift.”
“Shut up!” Elaine blurted, “Since he already gave it to you, then just take it! Where is the bracelet? If you don’t want it, I want it!”
Joe knew what was playing in his mother-in-law’s cunning mind. He actually wanted to give the bracelet to Claire, but he couldn’t think of a suitable excuse for it, so he put it aside for the meantime, who knew that his father-in-law would blurt it out so casually!
It’s not that Joe was reluctant to give away the bracelet. He had nearly 10 billion dollars in his card, he could afford all the bracelets in the world!
But the main point was because his mother-in-law was too shrewd and tacky to wear such precious accessories. She would be more suitable for cheaper accessories with her style.
However, Elaine didn’t want to miss out on the opportunity. It would be such an honor and pride to wear a six million dollars bracelet!
Hence, she kept on pestering Joe, “Where is the bracelet? Come on, show me!”
Claire knew that if her mother got hold of the bracelet, it was impossible to take it back, so she started, “Mom, we think we better keep it since we want to return it in case we damage or spoil it. It won’t be nice to return a spoiled thing to them.”
“What? Do you really want to return it?” Elaine raised to her feet and chided loudly, “Are you insane?”
Claire knew that her mother would throw a tantrum next, so she said firmly, “Mom, just stop, I’ve already discussed it with Joe, the deal is sealed.”
As a mother, Elaine was very clear of Claire’s temperament. She couldn’t stop her if she insisted on returning the bracelet, yet, she couldn’t help but sigh, her eyes were wet with tears. “It’s bad enough to have a wuss as my son-in-law, my daughter doesn’t even want to take my side! Boohoo, this is not fair!”
Claire cut a piece of chop on Elaine’s plate and comforted, “That’s enough, Mom, I’ll get you a bracelet later.”
“Yes! You promised, no going back on your word!”
***
On the day of the auction.
When Joe came out of his room early in the morning, Jacob was already waiting anxiously in the living room and greeted him as soon as he saw him.
“Joe, let’s go, don’t be late!”
Jacob was so excited when he thought about the auction, he couldn’t sleep. He waited for Joe in the living room before the sun came out and tugged him to go when Joe emerged.
The Treasure Pavilion was an antique and cultural relic association that was established by a group of cultural relic enthusiasts in Aurous Hill. Its base camp was a manor located in a scenic suburb of the city.
Rumors had it that the president of the association was a real estate mogul in the province who loved antiques and cultural relics. He sponsored 100 million dollars as capital and gathered a group of business tycoons who shared the same interest to form the Treasure Pavilion.
Joe and Jacob arrived at the entrance of the Treasure Pavilion manor and parked the car at the designated parking lot. When they got out of the car, they looked around curiously.
The surrounding scenery was very breathtaking and serene with a sense of luxury. Besides, all the cars parked outside the manor were luxury cars, and the worst among them was Porsches.
However, Joe’s BMW 5 Series had become the eye-sore among the shining and expensive cars.
Jacob started walking in.
Jacob was extremely thrilled. This was his first time coming to such a high-end occasion. He couldn’t stop looking around but his limbs were moving awkwardly due to his anxiety.
He clutched the invitation card tightly and handed it at the entrance of the venue, worrying that the invitation that Joe had gotten was fake.
However, the security at the door scanned the card and verified them. Then, he turned to both of them and said respectfully, “Welcome, please enjoy yourself!”
Jacob heaved a sigh of relief and walked in with Joe.
As soon as they entered, Harold, who dressed up as if he was at a beachside party, walked in with a swagger.
Upon seeing them, Harold frowned, as a dash of shock flashed across his face.
Joe and Jacob were here too!
What were the two deadbeat losers doing here? The Wilson family had only one invitation card and he was holding it! Had they tried to sneak in without anyone noticing?
When he thought about the misery he suffered because of Joe, the wrath of fury started burning inside him. He barged towards them and growled, “Joe, how did you get in here? Do you know where this is?”
Joe frowned in annoyance when Harold’s shrill voice echoed into his ears.
Jacob smiled triumphantly at Harold, “Hey, Harold, you’re here too.”
Not only did Harold despise Joe, but he also looked down on Jacob, his uncle. He frowned and demanded, “What are you doing here? Do you have the invitation?”
“Of course!” Jacob blurted.
Harold demanded again, “YOU, of all people? Where do you get it?”