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.

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

of everyone? What makes you think that they would eat their words and beg us

means to seek out the best medical treatment. He doesn't need your pill at

convinced they'll

when he had predicted

by his words.

“Queenie is hungry, Papa. When can we have our lunch? I saw them having so much food on their tables

banquet. The exhaustive list was made up of glamorous and expensive dishes that had included Wagyu beef, foie gras, caviar, abalone, lobsters, and many more. Any single dish could

dishes are far too expensive, Queenie. We can't afford them.” Penny explained to her daughter, “Mama

can't afford them? Come on, let's treat ourselves to a good meal

money, Nathan...”

was never obsessed with money and wealth, Nathan was pretty sure that he had

most

was situated at the highest level of the highest building in Channing -

and the most accomplished chefs who would whip up dishes that could swoon

Palace was exclusive, being available to only those who could boast excessive

and position in society would

taking the exclusive elevator to

by the poshness of the place when they learned

lavish, Penny,” Benson intercepted nervously. “I guess it would cost a bomb to

Penny stated taciturnly, “It is one of the most expensive restaurants in Channing, but it doesn't just cater to the rich, you've really got to be somebody in order

Leah the chills 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 simply have a meal here.

to allay their worries with a tranquil smile, “Come on, guys. Don't be silly, how much could a simple meal cost?

company were on their way

the restaurant. A man who seemed to be their supervisor gave them an unfriendly look and announced,

were bemused by what he had said. Despite not being dressed in Gucci, Armani, or some designer labels, they had certainly appeared presentable

tank top, loose crumpled shorts, and flip-flops walked past them and strode into the restaurant casually as if he was walking into a supermarket. Nathan pointed at him and asked the security, “What makes you say that we are inappropriately dressed? What about him

properties. So what if he is dressed in tank tops and flip-flops?” The supervisor sneered, “What makes you think that you're on the

easily cost you

hardly afford a decent meal in this place. “Forget it, Nathan. Let's find another place for

the first time I'm taking you guys out for dinner. I insist on treating you guys to a good

you, I want to see your

supervisor and his men cackled

a dozen bosses here, which one are you