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However, Julia couldn’t help but frown at their overly obsequious attitude. She and Harry were friends, peers. The Green family, as her own relatives, should not be so fawning toward them. It felt out of place.
But Julia wasn’t about to speak up in front of everyone. After all, the Brown family had been prosperous for decades, while the Green family had only risen to prominence in the past ten years.
In terms of background, the Green family still paled in comparison to the Brown family. So while Harry and Levi didn’t think much of the Green family, they chose to overlook it, focusing on their relationship with Julia.
After exchanging pleasantries and handing over gifts to the Green family, Harry turned to Julia and asked, “Where’s Frank? Has he not arrived yet?”
Julia replied, “There were some business issues abroad that he had to take care of, and he’s been staying up late these past few days to handle everything. Unfortunately, things aren’t fully resolved yet, so I’ve heard he’ll be a little late.”
Harry and Levi nodded in understanding but didn’t press further.
Julia, who was familiar with both of them, personally guided them to their seats.
At this point, it was getting late, and the banquet was ready to begin.
The main guest of the evening, Franklin, had not yet arrived, and Miles Green was uncertain whether they should proceed with the banquet or wait for him.
He turned to Julia and Janice for advice.
Julia, without hesitation, replied, “We can start the meal.”
The guests who had come today had made the effort to attend, and it wouldn’t be polite to keep them waiting. Although they would likely have no issue waiting, it simply wasn’t
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appropriate to do so.
“But… isn’t it a little inappropriate to start without Franklin?” Miles hesitated.
“It’s fine, he won’t mind,” Julia said confidently.
Her words were as if she was speaking on behalf of Franklin. That she dared to speak for him demonstrated just how close their relationship was.
The other guests, noticing that Julia was so certain that Franklin wouldn’t mind starting the banquet without him, couldn’t help but deepen their understanding of how important she was to him.
It only made them more eager to build good relations with the Brown family.
On the other side of the venue, although many guests had already left, Old Madam Miller still kept to the usual formalities.
After confirming all the guests had arrived, she took the stage to give a speech, thanking everyone for attending and also apologizing for any disruptions earlier that may have affected the mood of the evening.
Her words were gracious and composed, and they were met with applause from the audience.
After finishing her speech, Old Madam Miller looked at the time and gestured for Jason to direct the hotel staff to begin serving the meal.
But then, Johnny, standing nearby, spoke up, “Uncle Miller, could we wait a little longer? Someone else is still on their way, but they’ll be here soon–within ten minutes.”
Given Johnny’s close relationship with Maggie, Jason was aware of the bond between them and agreed without hesitation.
“Is it the same person?” Jason asked. “We still have seats available at the main table, I wonder if they would mind joining us?”
Johnny nodded. “They wouldn’t mind.”
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Chapter 112
“Alright then,” Jason said with a smile, directing for the other guests‘ meals to be served first while the dishes for the main table would be delayed a little.
Just as the dishes were being brought out to the other tables, Johnny checked his phone. He quickly motioned for Maggie to come aside. “The person’s here. Come with me to greet them
downstairs.”
Maggie nodded, about to turn when he was interrupted by a familiar voice, cold and
unhurried.
“There’s no need,” the voice said. “I’m already upstairs.”
Maggie froze and looked back. “… Teacher?”
It was Nolan.
Those who remained in the room were shocked when they saw him, some even wondering if they were imagining things.
After all, it was Nolan–the tech magnate who often appeared in the news. Everyone in the
country knew who he was.
Not only was Nolan highly capable, but his background was also said to be incredibly influential. For such a national figure to attend Old Madam Miller’s birthday banquet was nothing short of remarkable.
Old Madam Miller and Jason were equally stunned when they saw him, but they quickly recovered and rose to greet him.
Nolan, who was typically reserved, had always shown respect toward elders he deemed
worthy. He had met Old Madam Miller before, and now, he stepped forward to assist her in sitting down.
“Please, don’t stand up,” Nolan said gently, as he seated her. “I’ve been remiss in not visiting
you for so long.”
Old Madam Miller smiled, “Mr. Nolan, it’s such an honor to have you here tonight. You’re making me feel embarrassed.”
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Chapter 112
“Please don’t say that,” Nolan replied. “It’s my oversight not to have come sooner.”
He then motioned for Johnny to hand him a gift, which he presented personally to Old Madam Miller. “I didn’t have much time to prepare, so please excuse me if it’s not up to
your expectations.”
Old Madam Miller waved it off, smiling warmly. “Mr. Nolan, you’re too kind. Your presence
here is the greatest gift I could receive.”
After a few more words of polite conversation, Nolan glanced toward Maggie and Johnny,
who were standing behind him like two students who had been scolded. They immediately
sat down without saying a word, understanding the silent command.
Old Madam Miller then remarked, “In the past, Mag was well taken care of by you.”
Nolan nodded. “It was nothing, really. She’s done well recently, making some progress in
her research. I’m glad to see her not wasting her talents.”
Both Nolan and Old Madam Miller had long since accepted that Maggie had given up her
academic path for Franklin. They hadn’t pushed her to reconsider.
They both believed that young people needed to experience setbacks, and that following their own path, even with mistakes, was the only way they could understand regret.
What mattered was whether they could recover from their disappointments, unlike Jason, who had been so consumed by failure that he lost his way completely. Fortunately, Maggie
hadn’t fallen into the same trap.
Hearing Nolan’s words, Old Madam Miller felt a weight lift from her chest. “I’m so glad to hear that. Thank you for looking out for her.”
With that reassurance, Old Madam Miller’s worries finally faded, and she could relax for
the evening.
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