Winner Takes All

At the courtyard of Bamboo grove. Joyous laughter broke the usual silence.

Amber sat on the chair while she looked uneasily at her father happily sharing stories with his friends.

There was a senior government Minister, a renowned artist, and a medical expert. These people were not only famous in the country, they also were well known internationally. They were her father's good friends.

What would the situation be when Jack came?

"Lansing, we haven't met for so many years. You are already famous internationally as the director of LJ Hospital!"

The middle-aged man smiled radiantly looking at another man with a head of white hair and said in surprise, "The international medical journals feature you regularly."

"Ha ha ha... stop flattering me. All I get in return for my efforts is this head of white hair."

Director Lansing smiled and said, "Talking about becoming world-renowned, it is artist Warnock who is truly famous internationally."

Another gentle-looking man with spectacles smiled and replied, "I'm just a poor artist. How am I famous? This rascal Steve is the one who is dealing with the oil barons and socializing with the big wigs at Silicon Valley."

"Stop all the flattering. I'm sure Steve has some reasons for asking us to come today."

Minister Mable said solemnly, "He wants us to help him assess his future son-in-law."

Director Lansing and artist Warnock's eyes lit up when they heard this and were very curious who Steve's future son-in-law was. Steve smiled but didn't elaborate. He simply told them to wait for the introduction.

Director Lansing couldn't suppress his anxiety and said, "It's so unexpected that Steve made his fortunes here and now his son-in-law is also from this city. I wonder which talented young man could capture the heart of his daughter."

"You will know when he comes in a while." Steve smiled and looked towards Amber, "I'll have my friends to check out if this young man is an upstanding gentleman!" Amber wrung her hands nervously.

The few uncles here were all great men and leaders of their respective fields.

And they also very cherish your reputation.

She expected that Jack, who was a divorcee, would be penalized by these uncles for his past.

"Don't worry. Your dad knows what he is doing." Rosie could sense what Amber was thinking and placed her hand on the back of Amber's hand and comforted her.

Amber nodded, "Thanks, mom."

Outside the Four Impressions club.

The Rolls Royce drove over and after the welcome at the entrance, it drove in the club unrestricted. After the car stopped, Jack got out of the car with the gift and asked Mr. Ward and Brent to remain in the car. He was invited by Minister Mable who had a very special status, hence it was better that he went alone.

He was escorted by the security to the Bamboo grove. He could hear the joyous laughter from the courtyard. It wasn't just Minister Mable who he was meeting?

Jack frowned but was unfazed and entered the courtyard with his gift.

"Sir, Mr. Jack Hughes has arrived." When they entered the courtyard, the security guard walked briskly over to the hall to announce Jack's arrival.

The hall fell silent, "Quick! Bring him in!" someone shouted excitedly.

Amber? Jack was suddenly startled. He definitely heard Amber's voice.

But wasn't he invited by Minister Mable? He was stunned for a moment.

As he approached, a beautiful and radiant smile welcomed him. It was Amber!

"Silly rascal! Heh heh... you didn't expect it, did you?" Amber's words snapped Jack back to his senses. Jack was lost for a moment. If Amber was there, then her parents...

Jack looked down at his gift and immediately felt awkward.

He thought that it was Minister Mable who invited him which was why he only prepared one gift for Minister Mable. How was he to expect that it turned into a session to meet her parents? He didn't even have a gift for Amber's parents during their first introduction!

"Why are you standing there like a fool?" When she saw Jack standing still looking stunned, Amber twitched her eyebrows and skipped over to grab Jack's arm.

"You, why didn't you inform me that you're back?" Jack said awkwardly.

"My parents didn't want me to inform you. Now you know that I'm back." Amber smiled cheekily.

"But... but I thought that it was Minister Mable who invited and I only prepared one gift. It's so ... so impolite of me for not bringing anything for your parents!" Jack was so nervous that he started to stammer. "It's alright. My parents just want to meet you along with some of my father's friends. They won't mind at all." Amber smiled and led Jack towards the hall.

Jack had no choice but to brace himself to meet her parents.

At the same time.

Steve and his friends exchanged looks. "Relax, rascal Steve, we'll grill this chap later." Minister Mable's status was high, important, and influential in this city. Artist Warnock and Director Lansing also nodded in agreement.

"Rest assured, Steve, we've been friends for so many years. Since you've invited us, we'll definitely assess his character for you."

"I do want to see which young man in this city is able to win your daughter's heart."

Steve smiled and thanked his three friends. Just at this moment, Amber brought the awkward Jack into the hall.

When they saw Jack, Minister Mable and Director Lansing were both surprised, their pupils constricted and their eyes twitched. There was a collective 'Boom'! in their minds. This... this was Steve's future son- in-law?

Oh lord!

Both of their statuses were high in society but it set off a wave of doubt. Jack's status was equally high so who was assessing who tonight?

Minister Mable knew about Jack's identity.

Director Lansing was the director of LJ Hospital and although he didn't appear during Jack's mother's treatment, he had heard from Dr. Hale about Jack's matters. So he knew some details of Jack's issues. "Steve... this is the gentleman that you want us to assess for you?" Director Lansing asked. On one side, Minister Mable looked surprised at Director Lansing. He suddenly realized that Director Lansing also knew Jack's identity!

In fact, Jack was also in a daze when he entered the hall. He didn't expect there to be so many important people present for the session. Not only was Minister Mable present, there was also Director Lansing of LJ Hospital. He had seen Director Lansing's picture in the hospital where his mother was treated.

The only person he didn't know was the one who looked very pleasant and gentle. But since he was sitting with Minister Mable and Director Lansing, he must also be a man of high status! When he heard Director Lansing's remark, Jack was startled and looked towards Minister Mable and Director Lansing.

Tonight he was meeting Amber's parents and he was already feeling very awkward for not bringing them gifts. He didn't wish that the session became even more awkward because of his identity. Minister Mable was first to react and asked Steve, "Steve, why don't you introduce him to us?"

Director Lansing also came to his senses and suppressed his emotions and said calmly, "Yes, introduce him."

The scene evolved rapidly but Steve didn't sense that anything was amiss. With Minister Mable's prompting, Steve smiled and began his introduction, "Come come, I'll introduce to everyone. This is Jack Hughes, my daughter's boyfriend."

"Good evening, Sirs."

Jack smiled and nodded politely and then presented the gift to Steve and Rosie. He said awkwardly, "Mr. Knight and Mrs. Knight, I didn't know that I'll be meeting you tonight so I didn't prepare ahead for this session. This antique calligraphy scroll is a simple expression of my gratitude. I'll make up for tonight next time."

The gift was supposed to be for Minister Mable and he could only redirect it to Amber's parents.

"Ha ha ha... you're so silly, how can you make up for something like this?"

Amber teased, "Aren't you always so calm and confident regardless of the occasion? Why are you so flustered when you see my parents?" Everyone laughed when they heard this.

"We are to be blamed for this. We didn't give you any time to prepare for tonight. Don't be nervous, we are just having dinner together." Steve smiled happily and introduced his three friends to Jack.

Since Jack didn't want them to reveal his identity, they also pretended that it was the first time they met. It was Artist Warnock who was intrigued by Jack's antique calligraphy scroll.

He rubbed his hands and said to Jack, "Jack, I'm an avid fan of antique artwork. Can I have a look at that antique calligraphy scroll?"

"Certainly!" Jack smiled and replied.

Artist Warnock looked with anticipation at Steve and Steve didn't mind and handed the scroll over to Warnock.

Artist Warnock unveiled the scroll. As soon as he saw the calligraphy, Artist Warnock was stunned for a moment and then his expression turned cold and said to Jack, "Jack, it's not right to deceive others!" The warm and friendly atmosphere turned cold immediately.

Steve was startled, "Warnock, what's the matter?"

Artist Warnock handed the 'Voyage of Qiantang' to Steve and said coldly, "This chap gave you a fake antique scroll. What can his intentions be?"☐☐☐☐☐☐☐