Chapter 5 Wrong Recipient

• "Excuse me, who's in charge here at the Cokes?" As these words echoed in the private room, an older man with a distinguished air walked in. He asked with an aura of authority that demanded attention.
• Mary immediately recognised that this gentleman was not just any visitor and courteously answered, "I am the person responsible. How may I assist you today?"
• The older man produced a list and began reading aloud with gusto:
• "A pair of agate earrings, a perfect match for Ms. Oriel!
• "A jade pendant adorned with nine dragons, tailored for Ms. Oriel!
• "A pair of jadeite bracelets, a symbol of eternal beauty, for Ms. Oriel!
• "A gift of 1.5 million in cash to Ms. Oriel for unending wealth and success!"
• With the announcement of each gift, a servant would appear carrying a tray with the described offering. By the end of his list, the table was lavishly decorated with rare finds and stacks of crisp banknotes.
• The entire Cokes were collectively dumbfounded, staring wide-eyed at the gifts piled on the table, mouths watering in disbelief.
• Oriel was incredibly dizzy with excitement, wondering who could be so generous to lavish her with such expensive gifts. To her, it seemed like something out of a fairy tale.
• "Excuse me, sir, but may I ask about your identity and the reason for your generosity towards my granddaughter?"
• The old lady's voice quivered, unable to grasp the magnitude of the presents that were evidently worth millions.
• "I serve as the steward for the Quintons of Malviston. These presents are merely a demonstration of our master's esteem for Ms. Oriel," replied the elderly man, his demeanour marked by distant confidence.
• At the mention of the Quintons from Malviston, the Cokes erupted into astonishment. The Quintons! The Quintons, renowned as the pinnacle of aristocracy in Malviston with their global financial empire, made deals ranging from tens to hundreds of billions look effortless.
• Such a prestigious family sending gifts to the Cokes? It was beyond belief!
• Mary had a faint inkling of what might be happening and cautiously asked, "Is it possible that the young master of the Quintons has developed an affection for my granddaughter?"
• "I'm only responsible for delivering the gifts. Beyond that, I know nothing. Farewell," replied the old man sharply, departing immediately without further discussion.
• Oriel's expression showed deep thought as she tried to recall something important.
• Her face brightened, and she excitedly declared, "I've got it! It has to be him!"
• "Who? Who are you talking about? Calm down and explain, what's happening?"
• Mary pressed, filled with anxious curiosity.
• With a dreamy glow in her eyes, Oriel explained, "During our college years, there was this Quintons who showed interest in me. He always maintained a low profile but seemed to have considerable wealth! Whenever I inquired about his family or background, he skillfully avoided answering. I'm convinced these presents are from him!"
• Beside her, Sam's face turned green with jealousy. He muttered in a bitter tone, "That was so long ago! Are you sure you're not mistaken?"
• Oriel said, "The Quintons' gifts were explicitly sent for me. Do you really think such a thing is just a coincidence?"
• Sam gritted his teeth and asked stiffly, "So what will you do? Are we still getting married or not?"
• Oriel furrowed her brow, unsure how to respond. Marrying Sam had always been her dream. But now, with a more extensive dynasty offering itself to her, it seemed unnecessary to keep entangling herself with Sam.
• Why cling to dreams when reality offers so much more?
• Mary coughed softly before addressing Sam, "Ah, Sam, this isn't a decision to be made lightly. Perhaps you should head home for now. We'll reach out once we've come to a conclusion."
• Upon hearing this, Sam's mouth twitched uncontrollably.
• D*mn, even how she calls me has changed! It used to always be 'Mr. Sam,' and now it's just 'Sam.' What in the world is happening? Today's meal was supposed to be all about listening to the Cokes's flattery. But before it even began, it got hijacked by this mysterious Quintons showing off his wealth!
• Compared to the Quintons' lavish gifts, my financial power is crumbs. Why bother with Oriel anymore?
• "There's no need to talk about it. It's clear from my expression. I'm not without dignity to insist on this. Let's call off the wedding!" With that, Sam left, overwhelmed with frustration.
• Mary sighed lightly, feeling somewhat helpless. She turned to Oriel and said, "Try not to tense things with Sam. Right now, everything's just speculation."
• Oriel looked longingly at the gifts on the table, absent-mindedly asking, "Got it, Grandma. By the way, can I take these gifts home?"
• "No way!" Mary refused decisively. "Things aren't clear yet, and that mysterious Mr. Quinton hasn't even shown up. You can have these things when you two are really together."
• "Before that, I'll hold onto them for you." Oriel pouted reluctantly. "Oh, alright."
• She noticed Iris looking somewhat distracted, and Oriel's sense of superiority surged again. She smirked at Iris, showing a smug expression.
• "Isn't fate just marvellous?" Oriel remarked. "We share the same birthday. You marry a convict, and here I am, receiving gifts from the top family in Malviston."
• "I really feel sorry for you!" she chuckled mockingly, but Iris smiled self-deprecatingly and shook her head silently.
• Truth be told, she didn't even know her actual birthday, so she took the day her foster parents adopted her as her own. Coincidentally, it was also Oriel's birthday.
• But Oriel was right about one thing. Fate is indeed strange.
• Oriel's birthday was celebrated in splendour with extravagant gifts. Meanwhile, she had hurt her parents, lost the hard-won business deal, and married a convict.
• Even if she was strong on the inside, such disparities were hard to bear. Thinking about this, she glanced back at Marc.
• Hmm? Where did he go?
• After the older man left, Marc quietly followed him out. Being from the Quintons, he naturally knew the Quintons's steward. He didn't know what tricks this older man was playing.
• "Lucas, first you bring gifts, then cash. What's the deal?" Marc caught up with the steward and pulled him into an empty private room, asking bluntly.
• Lucas answered, "Young Master, your father had his reasons for sending you away previously. He's encountering some business troubles and hopes you can support him."
• Marc responded with a knowing smirk, "So, now that I have a fortune, he's suddenly cared for me?"
• Lucas hesitated, then continued, "Is that what's your take on your father? After all, he ... "
• "No need to explain further," Marc interjected, raising his hand to stop Lucas, his face settling into a grave expression.
• "I get it. In that period, my uncle held all the control and took measures to remove anyone who opposed him. For my protection, my dad was forced to send me elsewhere, even going as far as to change my name so my uncle couldn't track me down."
• Lucas's eyes suddenly filled with tears, overcome by emotion. "You were just ten years old then, but you could already grasp the depth of your father's sacrifice. You're truly a genius."
• Marc waved dismissively, teasingly saying, "Alright, alright, enough with the flattery.
• "After I got kicked out, I almost starved on the streets. I probably wouldn't be alive today if it weren't for someone's help."
• Lucas chuckled. "But you did survive, didn't you? And now you're the War God of Egerton. Whenever your father talks about you, he can't stop smiling."
• "Okay, enough chatter. How much do you need?" Marc asked cautiously.
• Lucas cautiously held up four fingers. "Four billion five hundred million."
• Marc didn't flinch.
• "4.5 billion? That's peanuts." He pulled a bank card from his pocket and handed it to Lucas.
• "Take it, use as much as you need, but return it when you're done."
• Most of Marc's wealth was locked in a safe deposit box in an Asthar bank. This card was his petty cash, with only 7.5 billion on it. But it was more than enough to handle his father's urgent needs.
• Lucas took the bank card and visibly moved to tears.
• Quickly stashing it away, he bowed deeply to Marc. "Thank you, Young Master. I'll inform my master right away."
• After saying this, he hurriedly left in a flurry.
• "Hey!"
• Marc raised his hand, wanting to tell Lucas the gifts were sent to the wrong person. But Lucas was already gone in a flash.
• D*mn, this Lucas really didn't do his intel work properly. He and Oriel were already history.
• Marc pondered to himself. The next time he saw Lucas, he would have to get those gifts back. Oriel didn't deserve such valuable gifts at all.