Chapter 348: Chapter 348 - Awkward Reunion
"Should we really advance Mason Raymond’s position right now? Doesn’t this seem rushed?" The steward furrowed his brow.
"Mason’s showing has been decent, but it’s nowhere near sufficient to handle any major family."
Jerry Sean stood with his hands behind his back, speaking coolly, "Even without promoting him, do you believe no one will set their sights on him?"
"Certain matters can’t be fully managed. Better to let things flow naturally."
Just as Jerry Sean had said, Mason’s rise had thrown Jerry’s strategy off course.
The instant Mason stepped foot in the Sean household, his reputation had spread to others.
"Simply follow my instructions." Jerry Sean dismissed with a wave.
The steward replied, "Understood, sir. What timing should we arrange?"
"Three days from now," Jerry Sean declared.
"Very well, sir." The steward gave his consent with a nod.
——
Meanwhile, I was helping Mabel Sean prepare dinner.
My culinary abilities were solid, having prepared countless meals during my time with the Lucas family.
However, today Mabel refused to let me handle any tasks.
Left with nothing to occupy myself, I started exploring the kitchen.
The Sean family’s kitchen boasted every possible amenity, designed primarily to keep ingredients at peak freshness.
Right then, I spotted a clear glass container holding a snow lotus.
Despite being preserved in various herbal solutions, I could still sense its remarkable properties!
It wasn’t an overstatement to say this snow lotus possessed healing powers far beyond any I’d encountered before!
"A thousand-year-old snow lotus?" I muttered, my expression revealing surprise.
Such a precious item was simply sitting in the kitchen! What a terrible waste!
Mabel caught my stare and explained, "Someone presented it to my grandfather as a gift."
I gasped, "A thousand-year-old snow lotus, that’s beyond belief. The most potent one I’ve encountered was merely six hundred years old."
Mabel’s eyes sparkled as she asked, "Does it interest you?"
I gave a rueful smile, "Who wouldn’t be drawn to something like that?"
Noticing this, Mabel stretched up on her toes and retrieved the snow lotus from the cabinet.
"Since you’re interested, take it," she offered, placing the snow lotus in my hands.
I wavered and quickly declined, "I can’t do that. If Jerry Sean discovers this, he’ll assume I’m being greedy."
"It’s only a snow lotus; that’s my decision to make." Mabel pressed the snow lotus into my palms.
"When I tell you to accept it, just accept it!" Mabel’s lips formed a pout when she saw my reluctance.
I had little choice but to take the snow lotus.
Internally, I decided I should notify Jerry Sean when the opportunity arose.
Naturally, if Jerry Sean approved, that would be ideal.
For me, the advantages of a thousand-year-old snow lotus were beyond imagination.
Soon enough, dinner was complete.
I quickly assisted Mabel in bringing out the food.
"Grandpa, dinner’s ready," Mabel called toward the upper floor.
Jerry Sean’s stern expression immediately softened into a smile.
Clearly, he only showed warmth when he was around Mabel.
"Sample what my granddaughter prepared," Jerry Sean beamed.
He took a bite of fish and tasted it, then complimented, "Excellent! Absolutely excellent! Mason, you should try some too!"
I also quickly grabbed a piece of fish. There was no question that Mabel’s cooking talents were impressive. The fish was incredibly tasty while preserving the natural flavor of the ingredients.
"Outstanding!" I said genuinely.
Jerry Sean chuckled, "Mason, I’m truly getting the better end of this deal."
I cleared my throat, "Jerry Sean, please don’t make fun of me."
Since this was lunch, Logan Sean and the others hadn’t returned.
Just three of us sat at the expansive dining table, creating a much more relaxed atmosphere.
Following the meal, Jerry Sean announced, "Mason, you should remain here for the coming days."
"Remain here?" I raised an eyebrow slightly, "Wouldn’t that be improper, Jerry Sean?"
"There’s nothing improper about it. You could even keep me company for chess during your free time," Jerry Sean suggested.
"If my grandpa wants you to stay, then stay," Mabel grinned.
Hearing this, I nodded, "Very well, I’ll follow your wishes."
After dinner, Jerry Sean and I headed upstairs.
Mabel, being one of the Sean family’s most influential members, had business matters to handle that afternoon, so she departed early.
Using Mabel’s absence as an opportunity, I retrieved the thousand-year-old snow lotus.
"Mabel presented this to me, but it belongs to you ultimately, so I felt you should be aware," I set the snow lotus on the table.
Jerry Sean glanced at it and couldn’t resist stroking his beard while laughing, "It’s merely a snow lotus. If Mabel wishes to gift it to you, simply accept it."
"Truly?" I asked cautiously.
Jerry Sean gestured dismissively, "This is insignificant. I wouldn’t offer you the genuine treasures."
I couldn’t help feeling amazed.
This thousand-year-old snow lotus was an impossible-to-obtain treasure in the marketplace.
Yet Jerry Sean regarded it so casually and gave it away without thought.
No surprise that people claim the finest medicinal ingredients are all stockpiled by powerful families.
The resource disparity truly couldn’t be overcome through hard work and determination alone.
Around three in the afternoon, Mabel hurried back home early.
"There’s an event tonight, Mason. Would you like to come with me?" Mabel announced the moment she returned.
"An event? What sort of event?" I inquired.
Mabel replied, "Just a regular event, somewhere for dining, drinking, and entertainment."
Though Mabel spoke casually, I couldn’t help saying, "Would it really be suitable for me to attend something like that?"
"There’s nothing unsuitable about it," Mabel’s eyes twinkled.
Jerry Sean also supported this, "Absolutely, it’s beneficial to experience more of the world."
I wasn’t opposed to going but worried about creating unnecessary complications for the Sean family.
However, since Mabel and Jerry Sean weren’t concerned, I naturally stopped declining.
As evening approached, a Maybach 62S pulled into the courtyard.
A secretary stepped from the vehicle and bowed respectfully, announcing, "Miss Sean, it’s time to depart."
Mabel Sean and I came downstairs.
Upon seeing the secretary’s face, I couldn’t help feeling confused.
The secretary’s expression also showed shock!
Because the secretary was the very same person who had accompanied Mabel to River City!
Back then, I clearly remembered this secretary had consistently shown disdain toward me and had even verbally confronted me multiple times.
Neither of us expected to encounter each other here again.
