The car drove for more than half an hour before it finally stopped.
Being a property magnate, the Ziegler family owned a villa that was located in a winery with the best scenery in the suburbs. It looked like a castle when looking from afar. It was not even seven in the evening, but the decorative lights were already switched on. The fountain danced among the beams of lights like the elves of night, adding a mysterious and solemn air to the castle.
The Fullers were the richest family in J City, and their villa was considered decent even when compared to those in K City. However, I only saw the gap between J City and K City after seeing how impressive the Ziegler family’s villa was in person.
Meanwhile, John was accustomed to it as he walked inside with me arm in arm, whereas Ashton walked behind us.
When we entered the building, we saw Cameron and Zachary, who had long arrived, chatting.
Seeing us, Cameron rose to her feet and came over to greet us. “You’re here.”
Thinking that she could look after me, John let go of me and walked together with Ashton.
Afterward, the others also stood up and exchanged greetings. After a brief introduction, I finally got to know Ezra, whom Zachary and Louis dreaded.
Sitting across from me, he wore a plain outfit and held a folding fan in his hand. His hair was gray, and he looked amiable and all smiles, which was completely different from what I had imagined him to be. Yet, his disposition as a government official was discernible.
After chatting for a short while, we went to sit at the dining table. I did not know what was wrong with John as he insisted to sit next to me, so Ashton could only sat between Zayne and Zachary.
Where one sat at the table often determined one’s status. The Ziegler family was obviously the host, but Ezra sat at the head of the table, which showed that the Ziegler family respected Ezra very much.
After wine was poured into glasses, Ezra clinked a spoon against the side of his wine glass, attracting everyone’s attention.
“Let’s toast for Mr. Fuller and Mr. Ziegler who have buried the hatchet.”
It turned out that Ezra was playing the peacemaker, which surprised everyone.
As the Ziegler family sided with Ezra, Zayne and his wife immediately raised their glasses and looked at Ashton while saying humbly, “Mr. Fuller, both of us were at fault yesterday. I propose that we drink this to put it behind us and become friends from now on. We shall compete fairly in business. How about it?”
Before Ashton could speak, Ezra began to heap praises. “Fuller Corporation and Ziegler Corporation are both high-performing enterprises in K City. As a government official, I really don’t know how I should express my gratitude to both of you for setting aside your personal grudges and working together to contribute to the economic development of K City.”
Looking touched, Ezra picked up his wine glass and walked up to Zayne, adding respectfully, “Mr. Ziegler, here’s to you. Thank you for your big heart!”
As he was standing, Zayne did not dare to remain seated, so he immediately rose to his feet and clinked glasses with Ezra at a lower angle than the latter. “Mr. Grant, you have flattered me. We’re just giving back to the people. It’s our responsibility.”
The two men complimented each other so much that it was as though only they were present at the dinner and got to call the tune.
Just as they finished their wine to seal the deal, John said mockingly, “The one being injured is a member of the Stovall family, but you, Mr. Ziegler and Mr. Grant, seek to make peace with the Fullers instead. Do you think there’s no one left in the Stovall family?”
Zayne and Ezra could initially take Ashton’s silence as tacit agreement, and the issue would be put behind them. However, John’s words instantly put them in an awkward position. Lowering his half-raised glass, Ashton sat back on his chair with a half-smile and rigidly placed his glass back on the table.
After being embarrassed, Ezra had on a grim expression, but Zayne spoke first probably because he was more hostile toward John following the Facebook incident. While remained standing, he said condescendingly, “Now that you mention it, Mr. Stovall, both Ziegler family and Stovall family are of respectable status, and yet you put our private grudges on the Internet and let everyone laugh at us. Although you were only brought back from the countryside when you were a teenager, you should know some manners and rules after so many years!”
