"Didn't I make it clear already? Inside of our family, I handle the real estate business and you take care of shipping business. But my dear brother, aren't you going a bit too far with what you've done?" a man with a sinister look loudly chides in the hall.
"Name it if you may, what have I done?"
"Don't think I'm oblivious to it. That piece of land in the state that's been the talk of the town was snatched up by you," the man continues.
"In the world of business, there are no family ties, only the capable prevail. That's a saying our father always has on his lips, and you can't deny it, can you?" A slightly overweight middle-aged man chuckles, his tone growing heavier with meaning, "Besides, William, even if your elder brother didn't develop that plot of land in the state, it wouldn't be your turn. I heard that the Caboat family had plans to intervene, but my action thwarted them."
"Was that really the Caboat family's doing?" The younger sibling scoffs in disbelief, and with a sinister tone suggests, "Brother, shall I play the role of the Caboat family and sabotage the next shipment?"
Before he finishes speaking, there is a loud "Bang!" The eldest brother stands up furiously, slamming the table, "Do you even really regard me as your brother?"
"Do you even act like the part of being an elder family?"
"Ah, William Vanderbilt, have you lost all respect for seniority? Don't forget, within this family, I am the eldest, the main heir to come!"
"Well, like father says, it's not over until it's over. What if someone ends up unfit for their role?" the man called William replies without backing down, his words dripping with sarcasm.
People around them seem unfazed by the quarrel, not intervening but rather enjoying the spectacle. Sebastian watches the scene unfold, his expression unchanged. He has grown used to such scenes in his past life.
The portly man is the family patriarch's eldest son, named Charles Vanderbilt, controlling the core industry of the Oceanic Group, Oceanic Heavy Industries, and is a leading candidate for the next head of the family.
The younger is the third brother of their generation, William Vanderbilt, who controls another core industry of the Oceanic Group, Oceanic Construction.
Both uncles are ambitious, always coveting each other's business domains. Their meetings always end in heated disputes. In this family, there is no family affection, only the purest of profits and benefits, with only the blood running through their veins maintaining the last semblance of kinship.
But Sebastian knows that after the grandfather's passing, even this last bond will instantly crumble. Sebastian enters quietly and sits in a corner. Unnoticed, or perhaps inconsequential even when noticed.
Only one man sitting above, appearing somewhat timid, nods kindly at him. Sebastian returns the gesture. This man is Alexander Richardson, the Vanderbilt family's son-in-law in the second generation. Despite his timid appearance, he holds the position of deputy chief at the New York Westtown Prosecutors' Office.
Sitting beside him, a woman with a harsher countenance, is the Vanderbilt family's youngest daughter and Sebastian's aunt, Eleanor Vanderbilt. She holds the board of Oceanic Technology, which doesn't seem valuable now, but Sebastian knows it is one of the future's pillar industries.
As for the second uncle who has yet to arrive, Edward Vanderbilt controls another lifeline of the family, Oceanic Securities.
And the youngest son, Sebastian's father, George Vanderbilt, controls nothing, holding only one percent of the Oceanic Group's shares. Of course, it is precisely because of this that their family's situation is a bit better. After all, no one would release hostility without reason. Sebastian sits there, his thoughts churning.
Soon, the second uncle, Edward, arrives, a man with glasses and a scholarly air, taking his place opposite Edward. Faced with the eldest brother's undisguised hostility, he merely smiles in response, instead engaging in a cheerful conversation with Richardson.
A while later, George arrives, his eyes revealing a hint of surprise upon seeing Sebastian there. Due to the tense atmosphere in the banquet hall, it is uncomfortable for the younger members to stay, so they would usually find excuses to arrive late, or simply enter with the patriarch, Nicholas Vanderbilt. The young Sebastian Vanderbilt is particularly adept at this, often returning in the middle of meals. It is rare, as now, for him to wait so properly and early in the banquet hall.
"Father!" Sebastian's eyes move slightly, and he rises to bow deeply. The young Sebastian once naively thought, like others, that his father was a wastrel. With top ten academic achievement in New York's cultural courses, he chose to study painting... A complete deviation from the so-called right path.
However, as he grows older, Vanderbilt Sebastian comes to a realization: everything his father does is to protect his family. The tallest tree catches the most wind! In the Vanderbilt family, a potential heir has too many competitors. Even if George Vanderbilt is a young lion, amidst a pack of wolves, any sign of growth would be torn to shreds. Instead, it is better to be content as a mascot. Regardless of which brother eventually wins out, they will need him, the harmless mascot, to stabilize people's hearts, without any danger.
The fool who hides his wisdom! Respect fills Sebastian's eyes. He had once thought if it wasn't for studying abroad when his mother suddenly became pregnant, with his father's exceptional intelligence, he surely could have claimed a share of the wealth. The more he understands about his father, the more respect he has.
George's gaze, however, is somewhat unusual. The look in his young man's eyes today is off, lacking the usual disdain, replaced with respect, and it makes his spine tingle.
"Could it be that a confession was rejected again, and now you've thought of asking your father, who won over a goddess, for advice?" George sits down, a slight smile playing on his lips after reaching this conclusion.
Indeed. Sebastian's mother was once considered one of the top three campus beauties across all universities in the uptown, yet she was won over by him. This is something George could be proud of for a lifetime.
"It seems the trip to the state wasn't very smooth?" Sebastian looks up in surprise to see his father's face brighten with a kind smile, "Son, you're still too green when it comes to courting girls. Let me tell you about women..." But before he can finish, he is interrupted.
"Dad, how did you know I took a trip to the state?" Sebastian asks seriously. He was sure he had made the trip on his own.
George's smile freezes on his face. Could he say he had secretly followed his beloved son in his car? Of course not! Although it was indeed a chance encounter on the way to a comic exhibition... If he spoke out, where would his dignity be? This matter, no matter how you looked at it, seemed somewhat sordid!
"Ah...The art teacher at Boston Art High is my old classmate," George says earnestly. "He mentioned that you visited their school today."
"Is that so?" Sebastian nods and adds, "Well, it wasn't really about chasing a girl. It was just that I had promised to support her and was fulfilling that promise."
"Alright, then be careful in the future. If you need money, tell your father, and don't foolishly run around on the streets..." George is speaking when he suddenly stops mid-sentence and straightens up, adopting an 'I haven't said anything' demeanor.
Beside him, Sebastian is somewhat helpless. His father's few words are... full of loopholes. Does the teacher at Boston Art High know what I look like? Or... Was it also the teacher from Boston Art High who told you I ran all the way there? Could this be any more fake...
Soon, a group of ladies enters the banquet hall. Sebastian's mother arrives with the group, elegant and dignified. Time has left no mark on her face; instead, she has gained a sense of mature charm. Upon arrival, she takes her place next to George, politely greeting everyone.
"How is it, son? Did you succeed?"
"???" Sebastian looks over in bewilderment.
"Weren't you chasing a girl in the state?" Caroline Vanderbilt blinks and asks with a smile.
"..." Sebastian's mouth twitches slightly as he turns to look at his father, feeling as if a stampede is raging in his heart. Turns out, this childhood secret of his, which he foolishly thought was a secret, was known by the whole family, wasn't it?
"Cough cough..." George Vanderbilt quickly grabs 2 glasses of wine and pulls his wife close for a whispered conversation.
Sebastian's mouth twitches uncontrollably. The two of them discuss his little secret right in front of him... Indescribably... speechless. Especially his mother's occasional glance at him, those strange, pity eyes mixed with a hint of sympathy...
Suddenly, Sebastian has a startling thought. In his previous life, after being a loyal follower for so many years, couldn't it be... Definitely not! This is just a coincidence, absolutely a coincidence!!! Even if they knew, it is too late. After all, he has been reincarnated; who would know?
But even so, Sebastian still feels his cheeks burning... with shame! Indeed, no more romance. One more strange incident added to the list.
Of course, these are just side stories. Before long, the younger generation returns.
Charles Jr. Vanderbilt from the eldest uncle's family.
Raymond Vanderbilt and Theodore Vanderbilt from the second uncle's family.
John Nelson Vanderbilt from the third uncle's family.
Abigail Vanderbilt, the cousin from the youngest aunt's family.
Abigail is the only person present younger than Sebastian, by just about two months. The two attend the same school, Chester High, and are in the same grade. Thinking of it and seeing his cousin sitting quietly in her pink princess dress and crystal hairpin, Sebastian can't help but chuckle. If those at school who tremble at the mention of the little tyrant saw this obedient appearance, it would shatter their worldviews... Should he sneak a photo? A mischievous thought crosses his mind.
But Abigail Vanderbilt, seeing the nefarious smile on Sebastian's face, secretly clenches her little fist in a threatening manner, yet when her parents turn back, she quickly forces a ladylike smile. As for this, Sebastian doesn't care. The two have a gap in their school grades. Although Abigail's grades aren't too bad, ranking in the middle, compared to Vanderbilt Sebastian, who is consistently in the top three of his class, there is a significant difference.
The most terrifying childhood shadow is the all-aced child of in the same family. Even more terrifying when that child went to the same school with you for many years. Thus, Abigail has always been somewhat resistant to him. Sebastian is used to it.
Finally... The family patriarch, Nicholas Vanderbilt, enters. His face is aged, but his eyes shine with vitality and sharpness. The wife who accompanies him had been a business elite in her youth, but time has left her with only kindness.
As they take their seats, the old man's birthday celebration officially begins.