From Sebastian's perspective, the grand party is a monotonous affair, overly formal and devoid of genuine emotion. Though faces are adorned with smiles and blessings exchange hands, everything seems shallow and soulless to him.
Particularly, the birthday man of the hour - the old patriarch sitting at the head of the table. Despite the occasion, his expression remains impassive, only showing signs of life when his granddaughter offers heartfelt wishes.
The brief moment of harmony vanishes quickly. The old man continues eating, then nonchalantly asks, "Charles, is the business for Oceanic Heavy Industries getting a bit too cozy lately?"
Charles glances cautiously. "Why the sudden interest, father?"
"Oceanic Construction is too small. How about I hand over Oceanic Bio, Technology, and Securities to you too?" The old man wipes his mouth with a napkin, a hint of a chuckle escaping, "And the Caboat family? Give me a few years, and I'll secure their business for you. How does that sound?" His smile, though faint, carries a weight, an oppression.
Charles's eyes waver slightly as he lowers his gaze, knowing full well that his father disapproved of his meddling in Oceanic Construction.
Bang! The old man's fist meets the table, and a cold silence envelops the room. "I'm not dead yet, and you're already jostling for power? What's the use of bickering at home? Show me you can take a chunk out of the Caboat family, and I'll hand over Oceanic Group to you myself. But can you do it?"
"Can you manage that?" "Waste!" "All of you, useless!"
"Father, calm yourself. Charles and I were merely jesting…" William Vanderbilt attempts to placate the patriarch, feeling the old man's anger about to turn his way.
His words do little to soothe the old man. "You think I'm amused?" The patriarch's gaze sharpens as it lands on William, "You can barely manage your little domain. How can I trust you with Oceanic Construction?" Seething, he demands, "Tell me, are you planning to have me replace Oceanic Construction's owner?"
The family gasps in shock.
"I'm sorry, Dad! I swear to protect Oceanic Construction with my life," William hastily responds, standing to admit his fault.
"Remember, I'm not gone yet. If you're not interested in what's here, plenty of others are waiting in line." The birthday candles flicker ominously as the old man's gaze sweeps over them, the look of a seasoned lion surveying his territory.
"Enough. It's a birthday celebration; let's not dampen the mood," intervenes the grandmother, trying to defuse the tension.
Just then, the old man locks eyes with Sebastian—the only one who does not avert his gaze. "Sebastian's birthday is coming up soon, isn't it?" the patriarch muses, perhaps realizing he's gone too far, using the occasion to shift focus.
"Yes, it's on May 5th, less than a month away," Caroline, who hasn't spoken much, answers.
The old man pauses, a rare softness entering his demeanor. "Time flies, doesn't it? Even Sebastian is nearing adulthood."
"What do you think about your coming-of-age ceremony?" He turns to Sebastian, his tone surprisingly serious. "Tell me, whatever you want for your birthday, I'll try to make it happen." The room falls silent. Within the Vanderbilt family, the coming-of-age ceremony is a significant event. For many, it's the gateway to managing a subsidiary company and entering the family's cutthroat business world.
Sebastian missed this chance in his previous life due to school obligations, but not this time...
"I've decided," Sebastian says with a smile, "I want 3 million dollars, my own money in the bank."
Relief floods the room as several cousins breathe easier and even manage kinder looks. His uncles, however, wear disdainful smiles. The family's scholarly prodigy seemed uninterested in the family's wealth.
Sebastian, once seen as a potential problem due to his grades, now looked like his artist father—choosing a different path, reducing competition for inheritance and ensuring the rest received a larger share.
However, Nicholas's face darkens, his sharp gaze darting to George, as if faulting him for influencing his son.
But George meets his father's gaze without fear. His clear eyes reflect a lack of greed.
"Very good, very good, very good!" Repeating 'good' thrice, the old man's tone seems mocking, his smile now cruel. "Tell me, why do you think you deserve that 3 million dollars? As I always say, in the business world—"
"In the business world, the principle of equivalent exchange reigns," Sebastian cuts in. "I know, it's Grandpa's favorite saying." He meets Nicholas's piercing gaze with calm composure, then smiles brightly, "So Grandpa, how about a deal?"
"A true Vanderbilt, ready to strike a deal with his own grandfather?" Nicholas's face softens, a grandfatherly smile appearing. If Sebastian cannot face him, how could he face external threats? This courage convinces the old captain; Sebastian's earlier request was a calculated move to attract attention.
"I will get 3 million dollars, and by this time next year, the Vanderbilt family will have a grandson studying law at New York University," Sebastian declares. Nicholas's smile fades, disappointment flickering in his eyes.
"What if you don't get in?" chimes John Nelson Vanderbilt, who had his coming-of-age ceremony the previous year. "Wouldn't Grandpa lose 3 million dollars?"
"If I don't get in, I'll return every cent, with interest according to bank rates," Sebastian assures.
He's determined to seize this opportunity, speaking directly with the Vanderbilt family's head—a rare occurrence.
"Deal?" Nicholas's eyes scrutinize Sebastian.
"Deal," Sebastian confirms with unwavering confidence.
There is no other way. He is determined to get that 3 million. And like today, the opportunity to speak directly with the head of the Vanderbilt family only comes once in months; he needs to seize it well.