Salute To The General

Chapter 8 The Cloud Palace

Sean gave Benson and his family a dismissive glance and announced, “We have no tables for you in the main hall. There's a small table in the corridor that would be enough for your whole family. Tuck in now; dinner is about to be served.”

All eyes in the room turned towards Benson and his family as if they were some strange-looking aliens who had just descended on earth.

While everybody sat in the main hall, which was the Peony Hall, Benson and his family had to squeeze themselves to fit into the miserable, tiny table in the corridor.

Nothing could be more humiliating than to be treated like some downbeat outcasts. How they had wanted to walk away from the banquet, snubbing all the insults. Nonetheless, Benson and his family put up with the embarrassment with gritted teeth and clenched fists. They did not want to be seen as impertinent and rude, simply walking away from his dad's birthday banquet.

They walked over to the lone table in the corridor and sat down, under the mocking eyes of their guests and relatives.

The banquet had officially begun!

The guests at the banquet were treated to a sumptuous feast with successive delectable, mouth- watering gourmet dishes. All except for the solitary table in the corridor.

They waited till the guests had finished their last round of desserts, yet there was still no food served on their table.

When the dinner was almost finished, Samuel came over and ordered the servers to serve the leftovers to Benson and his family.

As if it was the final straw, Benson and his family could not contain their rage and resentment anymore. What do they take us for? Beggars or dogs that are only entitled to leftovers?

As if he had reached the tipping point, Benson gave an uncharacteristic scowl and stood up abruptly from the table. “Let's go,” he urged stoutly. “We're done with the banquet.”

Sean was merrily clinking glasses with some of his most distinguished guests at his banquet when Samuel approached him and whispered in his ear, “Dad, Benson, and his family have skipped the dinner and left the banquet. They'd seemed rather displeased.”

“Huh! Serves them right for giving me a rotten pill for my birthday. What are they thinking? Are they really here to celebrate or to curse me? Why should I feed them with all the wonderful food? I'd rather feed the dogs.”

The moment they exited the hotel, Leah, who was bitter, lashed out at Nathan

“Look at you and your dumb idea. We'd assigned you the task of finding a suitable birthday present for Sean. What the hell were you thinking, presenting him with an embarrassing pill as a gift? Thanks for making us look like a fool in front of everybody, making them feed us with leftovers as if we were some kind of beggars. What an ingenious idea of yours!”

Penny tried to placate her mother, “I'm sure that Nathan hadn't intended so, Mum.”

“Let's stop arguing.” Benson suggested gloomily, “We've utterly embarrassed ourselves in front of our friends and relatives today. I'm sure that dad would only find us more repulsive than ever. Our situation would only take a turn for the worse.”

"Just calm down, everybody. Soon they'll be knocking at our door, begging us for the pill,” Nathan asserted.

rueful smile, “Come on, Nathan. We've had enough of your nonsense. How could

of everyone? What makes you think that they

means to seek out the best medical treatment.

qualms about his prediction, “Just relax, I'm convinced they'll eat humble pie and return to us for

demeanor was no different from when he had predicted Mr. Harvey's appearance for

family were befuddled by his words.

Papa. When can we have our lunch? I saw them having so much food on their tables earlier! It

appetizing food that was served at Sean's seventieth birthday banquet. The exhaustive list was made up of glamorous and expensive dishes that had included

them.” Penny explained to her daughter, “Mama will cook you something

that we can't afford them? Come on,

the money, Nathan...” Penny trailed off in a diffident

obsessed with money and wealth, Nathan

Palace - the most expensive

the highest level of the highest building in

the most breathtaking panoramic view of Channing, boasting the most premium ingredients and the most accomplished chefs who would

was exclusive, being available to only those who could boast excessive wealth, power, and

the prestige and position in

taking the exclusive

daunted by the poshness of the place when they learned that Nathan was taking

lavish, Penny,” Benson intercepted nervously.

place is extremely costly; a simple dish could cost up to tens of thousands.” Penny stated taciturnly, “It is one of the most expensive

as she gasped, “My god, this is as good as daylight robbery. Where would we find the money to dine here? It would cost us our lifetime's wages to

on, guys. Don't be silly, how much could a simple meal cost? Just let me take care

were on their

to be the security of the restaurant. A man who seemed to be their supervisor gave them an unfriendly look and announced, “I'm sorry, according to our

had said. Despite not being dressed in Gucci, Armani, or some designer labels, they had certainly appeared presentable

shorts, and flip-flops walked past them and strode into the restaurant casually as if he was walking into a supermarket. Nathan

of properties. So what if he is dressed in tank tops and flip-flops?” The supervisor sneered,

simple meal could easily cost you over a hundred grand. This is not a place for paupers like you

meant that she could hardly afford a decent meal in this place.

us to leave.” Nathan insisted, “This is the first time I'm taking you guys out

you, I want to see your boss. Get

his men

which one are you referring to?” the