When the sports car stopped, a stunning woman stepped out. She appeared to be in her twenties, with fair yellow-toned skin, tall and graceful. Her long hair flowed freely, her complexion was porcelain-smooth, and her delicate chin and narrow, foxy eyes gave her a playful allure that made people instinctively want to embrace and protect her.
She wore a mink coat over a black turtleneck sweater, paired with glossy leather pants and high-heeled boots. Standing there, she was the embodiment of purity and seduction—undeniably captivating.
Yet at this moment, she seemed conflicted and uncertain. She stood at the entrance of Jiang Hai's manor, staring at the doorbell for a long while, visibly hesitating. For ten whole minutes, she didn't move. Whether it was the cold or a surge of determination, eventually, her hand reached out.
Inside, chaos of another kind was unfolding.
"I got the last one!" Darlene was perched on Jiang Hai's back, Marian dangled in his arms, clinging tightly. Bernice had wrapped her arms around Jiang Hai's head, pressing his face into her chest without a shred of concern for modesty. Her legs rested across one of his arms, completely ignoring decency, while she triumphantly stuffed the last soup bun into her mouth with both hands.
"Noo… it's gone…" Darlene and Marian slumped onto the sofa in defeat, sighing at the loss. Bernice, on the other hand, grinned like a victorious general basking in glory.
"Relax, we've got plenty more," Xiaoya chimed in with a smile, carrying out more baskets of fresh buns.
The moment they saw the steaming food, Darlene and Marian perked up. Even though they had just eaten, the lure of Xiaoya's buns was impossible to resist. While their appearance wasn't the most refined, the ingredients were top-notch and the flavor was mouthwatering.
Everyone quickly gathered around the table for round two. Jiang Hai also stood up, stomach still unsatisfied. But just as he was about to join them, the doorbell rang.
The group exchanged puzzled glances. Who could it be at this hour?
Jiang Hai walked to the door and checked the monitor. The face on the screen was familiar—though he'd only met her a few times, the nature of their past encounters made the situation... delicate.
"Jiang? Oh, thank goodness—it's really you!" The beautiful woman on the screen lit up at the sight of him.
Jiang Hai glanced over his shoulder. Everyone behind him was watching, each with a different reaction. Azarina looked indifferent. Xiaoya was simply curious. Darlene and Marian exchanged another look—one that spoke of déjà vu.
As for Bernice, she just gave a look of pure disdain. Another woman? Really?
"Ahem... Cheryl, come in," Jiang Hai said, ignoring the stares and unlocking the door.
The woman was Cheryl Lee. She had originally been a peripheral figure caught up in the chaotic conflict between Jiang Hai and Pra Walton. A bystander, a victim—and now, she was here alone.
The gate opened, and Cheryl drove up to the manor's parking lot. When she stepped out, Jiang Hai was already waiting.
"Jiang, you have to help Miss Pra," Cheryl said, rushing into his arms with urgency.
Jiang Hai froze. Pra Walton? She's in trouble?
"Come inside. Take a breath. Tell me everything slowly," Jiang Hai said, guiding her into the house.
But as Cheryl stepped in, her eyes swept over the other women inside—dressed casually, their postures far too relaxed. She paused, her expression shifting as she gave Jiang Hai a knowing smile.
Clearing his throat, Jiang Hai made introductions quickly. "This is my friend Cheryl Lee. These two are my daughters, Darlene and Marian. That's Bernice, Xiaoya, and Azarina Vicarbolio."
Despite the introductions, the room remained awkwardly quiet.
"Let's eat first," Jiang Hai suggested, breaking the tension. "We can talk after."
Cheryl didn't argue. She took off her coat and joined them at the table. Though few words were exchanged, everyone ate heartily. Xiaoya's soup buns were simply too good to resist.
By the time they were finished, they had gone through sixteen baskets. Full and satisfied, they sipped Jiang Hai's tea, and then Jiang Hai led Cheryl upstairs to his study.
Though he wasn't much of a reader, Jiang Hai still had a study—part of the standard layout for someone in his position. At the very least, it provided a formal space for serious conversations.
Once the door closed, Jiang Hai looked at Cheryl. "What did you mean earlier—about helping Pra?"
Cheryl's expression grew serious again. "Jiang, Miss Pra really needs your help."
"Start from the beginning. What's going on?"
His relationship with Pra Walton wasn't simple. They weren't exactly lovers, but something had happened between them that blurred the line. And more importantly, they were business partners. Either way, Jiang Hai wasn't the kind of man to walk away from someone in need—especially not someone like her.
Cheryl took a deep breath and began to explain.
The Walton family had always been complicated. Sam Walton, founder of Walmart, had passed away, leaving his empire to his children.
Pra's father, Robertson Walton, was the eldest son and held the most shares. Though he was business-savvy, he was also notorious for his womanizing. He had five legitimate children—and three illegitimate ones. Pra was among the latter.
After her mother died, Pra was raised within the family, but her position was never secure. She only gained footing by proving herself as a talented businesswoman, eventually rising to lead Sam's Club.
The trouble began with her uncle, Jim Walton—Sam Walton's youngest son. He, too, was a business genius. Despite owning fewer shares, he ranked tenth on the global rich list, while Pra's father ranked seventeenth.
For years, Robertson controlled the company as chairman, while Jim was president. But two years ago, Robertson ousted Jim by exploiting a scandal involving CNN's controversial remarks about China. In Jim's place, he appointed Dong Minglun as president and gave Pra control over Sam's Club.
Everything seemed stable—until this winter.
Jim staged a comeback. He won the support of numerous shareholders and prepared to reclaim power. His first target? Sam's Club.
To make matters worse, it turned out Dong Minglun had been working for Jim all along.
Backed into a corner, Robertson tried to strike a deal with Dong. But the latter made a chilling proposal: he would side with Robertson only if he was allowed to marry Pra Walton.
The family was stunned into silence.
Pra was vehemently against it. But family politics didn't always care about personal feelings. Now, she was being crushed between corporate warfare, a manipulative suitor, and a father willing to sacrifice her for power.
Worse yet, when Pra left for a family meeting that morning, Robertson had her manor sealed—no one allowed out. Only Cheryl, who had just returned from overseas, managed to slip away and find Jiang Hai.
Jiang Hai's eyes narrowed as he listened.
"Something this serious, and you didn't call me?"
Cheryl gave him a helpless look. "We don't have your number…"
Jiang Hai paused. Right… he hadn't given it to them.
"You should've come sooner. When's the party?"
"November 6th. The day after tomorrow."
Jiang Hai exhaled. "I need to figure out how to sneak in…"
"It's not necessary," Cheryl said, pulling a magnetic invitation card from her bag. "You already have an invite."
"What?" Jiang Hai blinked. "Aren't they on guard against me?"
"This banquet isn't just for family. Anyone with major business ties to Walmart is invited. Last year, you helped Sam's Club earn hundreds of millions. You're listed at Table 3, front row. If this mess hadn't happened, you would've received the card weeks ago."
Jiang Hai rubbed his forehead, three black lines metaphorically forming above it.
So he really was a VIP?
Truth be told, Jiang Hai had been too low-key all this time. If he chose to be high-profile, he could've attended any elite event from Boston to New York. With his net worth, no one would dare turn him away.