Chapter 319: Chapter 319 - Defiant Stand
The car rolled steadily along the road, yet the ride felt anything but dull.
Eventually, the vehicle came to a halt outside the villa’s entrance.
Two bodyguards stationed at the door rushed forward to pull open the car doors for Mabel Sean and me.
I studied the two bodyguards and felt a wave of astonishment wash over me.
These bodyguards’ capabilities likely matched Roberts Joshua’s level!
"This must be what living in a powerful family looks like," I muttered under my breath, my brow creasing slightly.
I attempted to stretch out my divine sense to detect any masters lurking within the Sean family compound.
Before long, I picked up several intimidating presences.
These auras originated from various locations, yet they could converge on the villa instantly if trouble arose.
This level of protection filled me with considerable unease.
"Come on," Mabel Sean gave me a playful wink.
I hesitated at the entrance, feeling somewhat anxious.
Fighting down my nervousness, I walked boldly into the villa.
A grand hall immediately captured my attention.
The hall featured traditional décor, filled with wooden furnishings.
Even a casual glance revealed each piece’s extraordinary worth.
"Not many folks are home at the moment; they’re all at their jobs," Mabel said with a grin.
"Come evening, everyone should return."
I bobbed my head. Beyond my anxiety, excitement stirred within me as well.
I was eager to discover what kind of individuals the Sean family descendants truly were.
Right then, an elderly man emerged on the second floor.
He peered down at Mabel and me from his elevated position, his voice carrying a slight chill, "Mabel, bring him upstairs."
Having delivered those words, Duane Sean spun around and walked away.
This frosty reception puzzled me, though I’d long anticipated the Sean family members might behave this way, so the shock wasn’t overwhelming.
"My grandfather’s actually really sweet, don’t worry," Mabel said with a reassuring wink.
I managed a rueful smile, "Sweet? Maybe he’s sweet to you, but probably not to everyone else..."
I’d secretly researched Duane Sean, who reportedly earned a nickname around Capital City: Emperor Sean.
That title alone revealed the respect and fear the public felt toward him.
Walking behind Mabel, I reached the upper level.
The second floor displayed completely different decorative choices. Unlike the first floor’s stark atmosphere, this area appeared much cozier.
At that moment, Duane Sean occupied a sofa, his gaze fixed on a chess set.
Two attendants hovered nearby, refilling his tea and tending to his needs.
I approached Duane Sean directly and offered a respectful bow, saying, "Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Jerry Sean."
Jerry Sean remained completely silent. He seemed totally absorbed in the chessboard.
I summoned my nerve and settled across from Jerry Sean, my attention also drawn to the board.
This bold move caught Jerry Sean off guard, but he maintained his silence.
As we both continued studying the chessboard, Mabel stayed quiet too.
The mood grew tense, as though the very air might crystallize.
At this point, I made the opening move, shattering the standoff.
I lifted a chess piece and positioned it on the board.
This gesture not only startled Jerry Sean but also amazed Mabel.
Was I the same person who’d been shy and hesitant six months earlier?
The nearby servants appeared even more alarmed.
Now Duane Sean finally raised his eyes to look at me.
Though his expression stayed cold, satisfaction flickered in his heart: This boy actually has spine!
Duane Sean slowly lifted his hand and similarly selected a chess piece to place.
I rubbed my chin, studying the chessboard extensively before once more lifting a piece and setting it down.
Nobody had expected our first meeting would take the form of a chess match!
The game stretched on for a full hour.
Duane Sean grew increasingly animated as we played, becoming almost entirely absorbed in the contest.
Duane Sean’s pieces trapped me, leaving no viable moves available.
The skill gap between us was enormous.
Finally, Duane Sean claimed victory with a decisive piece.
"Hahaha!" Duane Sean couldn’t resist stroking his beard while laughing with delight.
I let out a sigh, "Mr. Sean, your chess mastery is truly flawless."
Without realizing it, the gap between us seemed to have narrowed considerably.
Even Mabel Sean quietly approved of this development.
Yet at this moment, Duane Sean’s expression grew cold once more.
His face revealed virtually no emotion.
His commanding presence radiated tremendous pressure even without visible anger!
The bearing of someone in power was unmistakably on display now.
Claiming I wasn’t nervous would be dishonest, but I showed no signs of backing down.
I lifted my head to meet Mr. Sean’s gaze directly, my eyes displaying neither humility nor pride, neither happiness nor sorrow.
Mr. Sean stared at me coldly while stroking his beard, "What makes you qualified to wed my granddaughter?"
I replied respectfully, "Because I love her, and she loves me."
Mr. Sean snorted, "Love? What’s love worth? Do you realize how many men in Capital City are chasing my granddaughter?"
"Whether considering family status or riches, which of them isn’t superior to you?"
I spoke steadily, "You’re correct, I lack family connections, lack wealth, and compared to the Sean family, I truly have no advantages."
"But that’s only today. Who knows what tomorrow holds?"
Mr. Sean scoffed, "Tomorrow? It requires multiple generations for a noble family to fall, and multiple generations for one to rise!"
"Starting with nothing, what future can you promise?"
Mr. Sean’s points were logical and impossible to dispute.
But I displayed no signs of alarm. Sometimes, honesty becomes the most valuable trait when facing authority figures.
I looked at Mabel Sean, my eyes brimming with indescribable affection.
"If Mabel hadn’t come into my life, I might have lived completely ordinary."
"Working, raising kids, aging gradually, living unremarkably, everything shrouded in darkness."
"But Miss Sean’s presence showed me that light exists in this world, and she is my light."
Here, I paused, gazed earnestly at Duane Sean, and declared, "Mr. Sean, to you, I might seem worthless now, but regardless of your attempts to stop me, I will relentlessly pursue Miss Sean, with or without your approval."
When I spoke these words, Mr. Sean slammed the table and shot to his feet!
He said icily, "You’re challenging me? Mason Raymond, don’t mistake your trivial accomplishments for real power!"
"Let me tell you, from the instant you entered the Sean family, I could destroy your future permanently!"
As he finished speaking, I sensed several powerful auras closing in on me.
Duane Sean’s killing intent was crystal clear!
I furrowed my brow tightly, gathered my inner energy, and prepared to use Shrinking Ground Into an Inch for escape if necessary.
"Mr. Sean, I apologize, but I cannot die before marrying Miss Sean." I rose to my feet, clearly ready to flee.
"You believe you can get away?" Duane Sean said coldly.
The crushing auras from every direction made movement nearly impossible for me! Even Shrinking Ground Into an Inch seemed beyond my reach!
This filled me with slight panic. Without Shrinking Ground Into an Inch, I might genuinely perish here today!
"Enough, Grandpa, quit frightening him!" At this moment, Mabel Sean interrupted with a playful tone.
