The Rise of David
Copyright© 2025 by RichXpower
Chapter 52: The Old Residence
“Mom, the area where the old residence is located will be developed soon. It’ll be worth a lot of money in the future!”
In truth, David was not interested in that meager sum of money. He simply did not want Benedict and his family to benefit from it.
“What? It’s going to be developed? Are you sure?”
Excitement instantly surged within Hannah as soon as she heard that piece of news. If that’s true, we’ll be able to earn quite a sum after selling the house!
“Of course I am! It’s already in the planning stage right now! I’ve seen the report at Mr. Lowe’s house!” David answered truthfully.
“What are you talking about, David? Are you hinting that I’m trying to snatch the land from you? You said you saw the report at Mr. Lowe’s house? What a big liar! Why don’t you say you’ve had a meal at his house then?” A look of anger took over Benedict’s face as he bellowed at his nephew.
“I did have a meal at Mr. Lowe’s house before!” David nodded in affirmation.
Everyone burst out laughing the moment they heard his words.
Simon, who had been quiet the whole time, curled his lips at that point. “I’ve seen a lot of boastful people, but someone like you who’s on an entirely new level is a first. Do you know who I am? You sure are daring enough to say that in front of me, huh? I’ll be frank with you. Mr. Lowe will be here for a meal later, and my dad will be accompanying him. Didn’t you say you’ve eaten at Mr. Lowe’s place before? I’ll take you along to give him a toast later and see if he knows who you are!”
“Sure!” David was not at all flustered.
“David!” Hannah quickly tugged at his sleeve. Joking about something that has got to do with the city’s mayor? Is he trying to dig his own grave?
Gary’s face turned grim too. “Sit down now, David!”
He found the possibility of David having a meal at Glen’s house totally absurd since he was, after all, an ordinary citizen.
At his father’s command, David could only sit down.
By then, everyone was smiling at him sardonically.
“Hannah, David is speaking absolute nonsense. How can I not know if there’s a development plan for that area? I bet he just doesn’t want to get a formal job and lead a proper life, which is why he said that. Do you think an ex-convict like him has the right to visit Mr. Lowe’s house?”
Benedict coldly glanced at David before he continued, “Do you know how much risk it takes for me to find David a job as a government official, given his past? But fret not; I’ll still find him a job, and I won’t take that old residence for free. In exchange, I’ll give you a hundred thousand. That’ll be more than sufficient to last you guys through a few years. Perhaps you can take that money and rent a house, so there’s no need to reside in someone else’s house anymore!”
When Hannah heard that Benedict was offering them a hundred thousand, her eyes instantly lit up.
Considering that the old residence was abandoned and inhabitable, she figured it was a good deal if she could earn a fortune from it.
“Benedict, if you say so, then there’s nothing more for me to say. Since the old residence is left unused and neglected, take it if you want!” Hannah could not contain her excitement as she said those words.
Benedict was secretly delighted when she agreed to it so readily.
Truth be told, he had only agreed to turn up for that meal because of the old residence. He had received insider news regarding the development of that region. By getting his hands on it, he would be able to make a profit out of it.
“Mom...” David knitted his brows as he called out to Hannah.
“That’s enough. I’ve decided, and you shouldn’t interfere anymore. We’ll give the old residence to your uncle!” Hannah waved her hand dismissively at him, signaling him to stop talking.
Gary, who was smoking at the side, did not seem to oppose the decision since he did not make any comments.
“I disagree with that! We can’t give them the old residence!” David yelled, maintaining a firm stance.
He had never raised his voice at his mother, but he refused to let Benedict have his way that time around.
“David, just who are you to disagree? That is the Chance family’s old residence. What has it got to do with you? You’re nothing but an adopted child!” Benedict slammed the table forcefully as he snarled at David.
David was left frozen in his spot for a few seconds before his expression darkened, and his aura changed drastically to resemble that of a demon.
Throwing daggers at Benedict, he grimly uttered, “What did you say? I dare you to repeat yourself!”
Benedict was initially slightly freaked out by his gaze but was quick to come around.
Fuming, he yelled, “Darn it! You’re a damn bastard. You don’t belong to the Chance family—”
Crash!
“Shut up, Benedict!” Gary smashed a glass on the floor, flushing angrily. His body shook a little as he glowered at Benedict.
“Say another sentence, and I’ll...”
Seeing his brother’s sudden outburst of emotions, Benedict immediately shut his mouth and sat back down on the seat.
It turned out that Gary still had his dignity as an older brother. Although Benedict had always looked down on Gary and his family, he would still be intimidated when the latter lost his temper.
At that point, David’s murderous aura filled the entire room, leaving everyone afraid to make any noise.
Had Benedict not been his uncle, he would have long sent him to meet his maker.
“David, Benedict must be too angry that he couldn’t think straight and said that nonsense. Come, sit down now.” Hannah quickly pulled David back to his seat.
On the other hand, Gary heaved a sigh, lit up another cigarette, and started puffing away one after another.
Several moments later, the dishes they ordered earlier arrived and filled the whole table. There were also two bottles of limited-edition Sauvignon Blanc wine.
The two families were astonished as they exchanged glances. No one has ordered white wine; why would they serve that?
Javier stopped the waiter and asked, “Excuse me. Did you serve this wine wrongly?”
“Nope. It’s Mr. Lewis’ special request. He asked to serve to this room,” the waiter answered politely.
Puzzlement swamped the crowd when they heard it was a gift from Tommy. Although Benedict’s had a pretty decent position as an office administrator at his workplace, it was nothing impressive to Tommy.
Thus, there was no way the latter would gift him such an expensive and precious wine.
“Simon has indeed done us great honor. Even someone like Mr. Lewis would gift us such an amazing wine!” Stella piped up all of a sudden.
Her words instantly left the crowd casting their gazes toward Simon. Among everyone present, Simon was the only one who could have connections to Tommy since his father was, after all, a chief of a ministry.
“Simon, I can’t believe you’re acquainted with Mr. Lewis. These two bottles of wine aren’t cheap! It is a great honor for you to receive such a gift from him!” Like everyone else, Benedict was surprised too.
Simon let out an awkward laugh. “Dad, Mom, I’ve only had a few meals with him before. I never thought that he’ll be so courteous as to give me two bottles of wine upon knowing that I’m here.”
“Simon, you’re actually acquaintances with someone like Mr. Lewis? You’re freaking awesome! I can act as I please in Horington from now on. I’m sure no one would dare to disrespect me!”
Javier was overwhelmed with jubilation at the mere thought of how he would not be bullied by anyone else since his brother-in-law was friends with Tommy.
A tinge of envy flashed across Gary’s and Hannah’s faces at the sight of that family chatting and laughing away.
The only one that remained expressionless in the room was David. He knew clearly that the two bottles of wine were not a gift for Simon, yet he did not expose him. All that was flooding his mind were those remarks made by Benedict earlier.
He could barely believe what he had just heard. Am I really an adopted child?
Instantaneously, the incident where Draco held his hand and checked his pulse while they were in prison crossed his mind.
He recalled how Draco had told him that he was certainly not a child from an ordinary family due to the bloodline he carried.
However, David had never heeded Draco’s words since his parents were only ordinary folks.
At that point, his mind was in turmoil. Seeds of suspicions concerning his background began to grow within him because he knew Benedict would never say something like that without any reason whatsoever.
“Dad, Mom, let me pour you a glass each. This is an expensive wine. If not for Simon, we wouldn’t have the chance to try this limited-edition Sauvignon Blanc wine!”
While saying that, Gianna uncorked the bottle and started serving Stella and Benedict with it.
“Gianna, pour me a glass so that I can try too! I’ve never tasted that before!” Javier grinned as he picked up his wineglass.
“Move aside! You’re still a kid; how can you drink wine?” Gianna glared at Javier before she continued pouring a full glass for Simon and herself.
“Simon, help me out here.” Javier cast a pleading look at his brother-in-law.
Simon chuckled. “Pour a glass for Javier. It’s a rare wine, and that’s all we have. There’s no way it’ll be produced again in the future.”
“Thank you, Simon!” Upon hearing that, Javier happily grabbed the bottle of wine and started pouring it for himself.
Benedict’s family eventually filled their glasses with the precious Sauvignon Blanc wine, but no one poured it for David and his family.
It was fine for Hannah and David since the former had always abstained from alcohol while the latter was visibly distracted by his thoughts.
However, that was definitely not the case for Gary. He was licking his lips and craving badly for it. It was a pity that the wine was Simon’s gift, and thus he deemed it inappropriate to ask for it if the recipient did not offer to pour it for him.
A mocking smile appeared on the faces of Benedict and his family when they saw Gary’s expression.
“Javier, you should pour some wine for your uncle. Even though this is a gift from Mr. Lewis to Simon, Uncle Gary is the one treating us to this meal. We should let him have a taste of it too!” Stella said as she raised her brows at Javier, her words seemingly insinuating something.
“All right!” Javier took the wine bottle and looked at Gary. “Uncle Gary, let me pour you some wine. If you don’t get to drink it this time, I’m afraid there won’t be another chance in your lifetime!”
Initially, Gary did not want to drink the wine that was served in contempt. Nonetheless, the aroma of the wine was too tantalizing that he could not suppress his urge. In the end, he grabbed his glass and reached it out toward Javier.
The corners of Javier’s lips quirked into a smirk as he poured a few drops of wine into Gary’s glass.