Chapter 156: Chapter 156: Wreaking Havoc at the Birthday Banquet (Part 5)

Jackson Kensington was cut off mid-sentence, his gaze drawn to the newcomer. He was instantly dumbfounded, his eyes wide with shock and disbelief.

The tall figure drew closer, his steps steady and powerful, effortlessly capturing the attention of the entire room.

“President Shaw…”

The guests swarmed over, eager to chat him up, but they were quickly intercepted by his bodyguards.

“I had no idea you were so interested in the Shaw Family’s affairs, Father-in-law. However, my wife and I have an excellent relationship, so you don’t need to concern yourself with it.”

His tone was light, even tinged with amusement, but Jackson Kensington trembled like a leaf. He had no idea how much Ethan Shaw had overheard.

“I was just taking care of a few things, but it looks like I’m still late. My apologies.” Ethan Shaw walked to Naomi Kenway’s side, his gaze softening as he looked down at her.

He had taken it all in—not just Jackson Kensington’s curses, but also the sight of Naomi Kenway threatening him with the wine bottle.

He was amazed. ’I’ve never seen this side of Naomi Kenway,’ he thought. ’She’s radiating such ferocity, yet she seems so deadly rational, so decisive.’

He had to admit, he couldn’t take his eyes off her.

He took Naomi Kenway’s hand, testing its temperature. It was cool to the touch, likely chilled by the champagne bottle.

“Why are your hands so cold? Were you pouring the wine yourself? It’s fine to leave that sort of thing to others, you know.”

Feeling the warmth of his large hand enveloping hers, Naomi Kenway’s agitation subsided slightly. “In that case, would you be willing to do the honors for me?”

“It would be my pleasure.”

For some reason, she felt Ethan Shaw’s gaze was a little too intense, and her body instinctively wanted to pull away. But remembering the scene they were playing, she quietly tightened her grip on his hand.

’I have no feelings for Ethan Shaw.’

’But if the Kensingtons are all hoping we’ll divorce soon, then I’ll make damn sure they don’t get their wish.’

After a brief moment of surprise, Ethan Shaw’s brow smoothed out, and he looked to be in a pleasant mood.

Jackson Kensington asked tentatively, “You… Ian, what brings you here?”

“If I hadn’t made some inquiries, I wouldn’t have known you were hosting a birthday party here, Father-in-law. After all, today is a special day. It’s my mother-in-law’s… death anniversary.”

A look of deep embarrassment crossed Jackson Kensington’s face. “Th-this is a misunderstanding, Ian. Let me explain…”

“It’s strange, isn’t it? You address me so affectionately, but when it comes to Nina, you call her by name with such a fierce expression.” Ethan Shaw’s eyes still held a hint of a smile, but his condescending, scrutinizing gaze made Jackson Kensington’s scalp prickle.

“He’s just sucking up to you for your money,” Naomi Kenway chimed in, adding fuel to the fire.

“I… I…” Jackson Kensington stammered, unable to form a complete sentence. At the end of the day, there was a world of difference between him and these truly powerful families, and when confronted with it, his deep-seated inferiority complex began to rear its ugly head.

Jeanette Kensington stepped closer. “Brother-in-law, please listen. Dad was just confused with anger. Look at his shoulder—the blood hasn’t even dried yet. Nicole did this. Forgive me for being blunt, but I think she has violent tendencies. You two… If you were to divorce her…”

Before she could finish, Lorraine Warren pinched her sharply. No matter how unbearable Naomi Kenway was, she still had her uses. A divorce was out of the question.

Jeanette Kensington also realized her anger had made her misspeak. “I…”

“I remember you.” Ethan Shaw’s somber gaze swept over her.

“You remember me?” A smug look crept onto Jeanette Kensington’s face. “I am a little famous, and I’ve just returned to the country to further my career. I didn’t realize you had such a good memory. Are you a fan of my music?”

Ethan Shaw chuckled softly. “You were the one giving Nina a hard time at the airport, weren’t you?”

Jeanette Kensington’s expression faltered as she noted his choice of words. “You’ve misunderstood. We just had a minor disagreement.”

Prompted by Jeanette, Jackson Kensington clutched his shoulder and lamented, “I don’t want to speak ill of Nicole, but look at my shoulder! She smashed it with a bottle! Can you really blame me?”

Ethan Shaw gave the wound a careless glance, his tone remaining gentle. “It is bleeding a little. Nina can be a bit willful. I hope you can find it in you to be more understanding.”

Jackson Kensington was speechless. He never imagined Ethan Shaw and Naomi Kenway’s relationship was this strong. He stared at his blood-soaked sleeve, his eyelid twitching violently. “This isn’t being willful. This is complete lawlessness!”

“Compared to your own actions, what Nina did seems quite mild, wouldn’t you agree?”

Jackson Kensington’s face turned ashen with rage, but mindful of the circumstances, he forced a smile. “What you’ve said… is… reasonable.”

Seeing Jackson Kensington’s thoroughly humiliated expression, Naomi Kenway’s foul mood began to lift.

This was the Shaw Family’s turf; staying any longer would be unwise. Besides, Jackson Kensington’s shoulder needed tending to. Jeanette Kensington leaned in and whispered something to her father.

Jackson Kensington forced a smile. “It’s getting late. We’ll be heading out.”

“Oh? I thought the sign outside said this was a two-day celebration,” Ethan Shaw asked. “Leaving so soon?”

The pain in his left arm grew more distinct, and Jackson Kensington could barely hold his smile.

Lorraine Warren said, full of apology, “It was our oversight. We completely forgot about Rosemary… There’s no point in continuing with this party now.”

Naomi Kenway stared at her. “So you admit you were wrong?”

Under the gazes of the surrounding crowd, Lorraine Warren had no choice but to nod. “We were inconsiderate.”

“Since you know you were wrong, it wouldn’t be too much to ask for you to kneel and repent to my mother, would it? You can spare yourselves the trip to the cemetery; I’m afraid the sight of your family would only disturb her rest.”

Lorraine Warren’s perfectly manicured nails dug into her palms.

Humiliated and enraged, Jackson Kensington bellowed, “Naomi Kenway!”

“Didn’t you just admit you were wrong? Or do you not have even that much remorse?”

Lorraine Warren’s face went pale, but she managed to force a smile. “I’ll repent, I’ll repent…”

And with that, she knelt.

Jeanette Kensington helped a pale-faced Lorraine Warren to her feet. The family tried to leave, but the security guards blocked their path.

Jeanette Kensington gritted her teeth. “What is the meaning of this? We already did what you asked!”

Naomi Kenway slowly shook her head. “Only Lorraine Warren has apologized. What about you and Jackson Kensington?”

“You…” Jackson Kensington gasped heavily, clutching his chest.

“Dad!” Jeanette Kensington cried out.

More security guards were gathering around them. They had no choice. Naomi Kenway had never intended to give them one.

In the end, both Jeanette Kensington and Jackson Kensington knelt and offered their repentance.

As Jackson Kensington stood up, he accidentally jarred his shoulder, causing him to hiss in pain. He glanced down and saw that many guests were still present. He felt he had lost all face. For the foreseeable future, he would undoubtedly be the laughingstock of all the great families in Veridia.

The realization made Jackson Kensington so furious he almost passed out.

’Aside from some hardship in his youth, when had his life ever been anything but smooth sailing? He was the first person from his village to go to university, and ever since, he had only been met with looks of respect. Who could have imagined that now, with one foot in the grave, he would be forced to his knees by his own daughter…’

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