The saying goes, "As the upper beam is crooked, so is the lower beam."
Upon arriving home, Jason Hart finally understood why his dad wasn't too angry about getting caught with a prostitute earlier.
Strictly speaking, Jason's dad, George, and his mom, Arabella, were legally married, complete with a marriage certificate and all the formalities. However, they had been living separately for many years, with Arabella managing the family's medical group from a residence in the neighboring city of Harbor City.
As for the details, Jason had a somewhat vague impression. He remembered his mom being involved in four private hospitals locally and two more in the gambling city. Apart from that, she also dealt in medical equipment and pharmaceuticals, making her quite influential.
In the mansion, Jason lived with his father and two aunts. The second aunt, Priscilla, in her early forties, had a modest fortune in several old buildings. The third aunt, a former minor star named Beatrice, was around the same age.
Outside the family, there was a fourth aunt, a golden-haired canary named Catherine, in her thirties and of French nationality. Jason vaguely recalled that his dad brought her home, which led to a significant conflict and eventually drove his mom away.
Furious about the situation, the second and third aunts pressured Jason's dad to keep Catherine outside and not bring her into the family home.
Despite having so many aunts, Jason was the only child in the family. Rumors circulated that due to his dad's dubious deeds, having even one child was considered a blessing, and thus, Jason was treated with extra care to ensure the family's prosperity.
The second and third aunts, aware of George's deep affection for his son, treated Jason well, displaying some self-awareness in the process.
Jason had forgotten many things, but some memories naturally surfaced in his mind. The garage held several cars, including a brand-new Ferrari F50, a white Porsche 911GT2 received as a birthday gift last year, and a rare orange McLaren F1 LM, one of only five in the world.
Reflecting on his possessions, Jason, stimulated by his newfound wealth and status, daydreamed about his good fortune. His laughter echoed as he stared at the cityscape from the balcony.
Upon returning to his room, Jason, overwhelmed by conflicting emotions, sat in the small study and began writing down his aspirations. "Conquer beautiful women," he wrote, and "Change cars every year..."
As he completed these lines, Jason found himself stuck. He chuckled at the realization that after being poor for so long, even his dreams were cautious, lacking the extravagant and wasteful elements. He could only be an ordinary person, greedy for wealth and fond of pleasures.
Overly excited that night, Jason struggled to sleep until past three in the morning.
The next day, at around seven in the morning, he woke up bewildered in an unfamiliar room. Hearing the maid calling him for breakfast, Jason got up and prepared for the day, donning the standard uniform of a prestigious school – the "Rose Private School" emblem proudly displayed on his chest.
The school, with just over seven hundred students, had risen to become one of the favored private institutions for the children of wealthy families in both the gambling city and the neighboring Harbor City. A significant percentage of graduates gained admission to top-tier universities worldwide, thanks to the school's excellent faculty and partnerships with prestigious institutions.
Reluctant to return to school after so many years, Jason, adapting to the new circumstances, decided to observe and familiarize himself before making any significant changes, all the while holding his nose.
Descending to the dining room, Jason found his father, along with the second and third aunts, already seated. A charming girl with long hair and a headband, Emma – the daughter of the family's steward – sat beside them.
Following the traditions of the family, whether in the gambling city or Harbor City, various customs persisted.
The family's steward, Derek, claimed to be a descendant of imperial tutors and a legitimate Yale University graduate. Despite his seemingly good name, Derek was overweight and somewhat unsightly, with a mustache that added a touch of unpleasantness. It was hard to imagine he could have such a beautiful daughter.
Feeling the need to avoid these "family members," Jason reluctantly took his seat, unsure of what to say. He greeted them with a simple "Morning."
His father, remembering the previous night's incident, gave Jason a scrutinizing look. Having little formal education himself, George had hoped for his son to excel academically, but there were no instances of glory, only a string of unpleasant incidents.
The family's steward, making a living off the Su family, had a relatively good life. However, Emma, who was initially treated kindly by Jason, now ate her breakfast in silence, avoiding eye contact.
The reasons behind her change in behavior were complex. As childhood friends, Jason had taken Emma's first kiss with a goldfish when they were very young. As they grew older, he started teasing her more, pinching her face and holding her hands – actions she initially found endearing.
In Emma's eyes, however, Jason transformed from a young man who seemed to like her into a typical second-generation rich kid. In recent years, he had surrounded himself with a questionable crowd, spending his time in bars and nightclubs. Emma found his actions distasteful and, at times, even bullying.
In summary, Emma believed Jason's character had deteriorated to the point where it was strange for her to show him any kindness.
Having a peaceful meal was a rare occurrence, and it surprised George. In the past, father and son would quarrel over trivial matters every morning, turning the house into a chaotic mess.
Now, George couldn't help but wonder if something was wrong with his son. He gave him a few more glances before they finished breakfast.
As they wrapped up, the driver was already waiting outside with a white Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit to take Jason and Emma to school. Jason had replaced his old Toyota last year after feeling embarrassed in front of his classmates. The new car was certainly more comfortable to ride in.