After graduating from high school that year, he went out into society to make his own way. Unexpectedly, the leader of the group of delinquents he used to hang out with actually made a name for himself and became a legitimate big boss. Uncle, as one of his former underlings in those fights, was naturally taken care of. These former big-time hooligans had a keen sense for new business opportunities, and at that time, they had already opened a gift and toy shop that was quite novel for Xiahai City. Uncle Samuel Palmer was originally the manager of this toy shop, and as the business developed well, his “boss” gave him shares, and he went on to become a shareholder in a nightclub. In his thirties, at the age when a man is supposed to establish himself, his career was truly flourishing.

In my memory, although Uncle’s group came from a delinquent background, they later became legitimate businessmen, though they still retained some of their ruffian style. Back then, Uncle was riding high, especially when he became a shareholder of “Century Club.” At home, he had considerable authority, even looking down on Elder Uncle David Palmer, who was the director of the planning office, often saying, “You’re a civil servant, and you don’t make as much in a year as I do in three months.” He would also frequently boast about drinking and socializing with the city’s top leaders.

This made Elder Uncle, who already had a strange temper and eccentric personality in the civil service system, even more frustrated.

If he treated Elder Uncle like this, Uncle looked down even more on those who relied on a dead-end salary, like Eric Bennett’s father. Of course, Uncle was much more socially adept and shrewd than Elder Uncle. Elder Uncle would often directly criticize their father to his face, which led to Eric Bennett standing up to him several times, resulting in family dinners ending in discord.

Although Uncle also disdained his father Richard Bennett, he would only mention it when talking privately with his mother. In front of his father, he always kept a smile.

His father also knew that he was the one who got the worst of it in these family circles, so he always kept silent, shouldering all kinds of pressure alone. Sometimes, after being slighted when out with his mother, he would just smile bitterly and often remind himself, “Dad’s not capable, so people look down on me. You’re my only hope. At least I can proudly say, my son is amazing.”

Unfortunately, as a child, I never made Dad feel proud.

I stumbled everywhere and needed my parents’ full support from childhood to now... Thinking about it now, Eric Bennett felt a tight pang of guilt in his heart.

“You, Richard Bennett, and Grace Palmer are no good. You should put all your resources into your son. With the way you two are, your work units are on the verge of collapse—what can you rely on? Only if your son Eric Bennett succeeds can you change your fate!” Elder Uncle’s voice, carrying a bit of officialdom, pierced the ears directly.

Elder Uncle David Palmer was just a straightforward person. He was quite capable as the director of the planning office, though one of his eyes was clouded and not very useful. Back then, he managed to become a civil engineer with just one good eye. Of course, as the director of the planning office, there was no further promotion for him. He didn’t know how to curry favor with superiors, and as he got older and his influence waned, plus with the problem of cerebral hemorrhage, he was transferred to the later administrative center, his power gradually stripped away, and eventually he was just waiting for retirement.

And Elder Uncle was also the person Eric Bennett was most grateful to during his growth. Although he had many conflicts with him because of his father, after all, Elder Uncle sincerely hoped that the younger generation could achieve greater success. Now, seeing Elder Uncle eleven years ago, with a clear mind, Eric Bennett felt a bit grateful. Although he often argued with him as a child, to be honest, he never really resented him. As he grew up, that sense of gratitude only deepened. Many years later, Eric Bennett understood that what Elder Uncle needed was not his gratitude, but his achievements, even if he was arrogant and defiant toward him.

Now, Elder Uncle was, as usual, bluntly lecturing. Only this time, when he targeted Eric Bennett’s father, he also included his mother Grace Palmer, bundling them together so it didn’t seem personal. While speaking, Elder Uncle David Palmer glanced at him with his one good eye, as if still worried that mentioning his father Richard Bennett, a taboo topic, would provoke him to argue.

Eric Bennett found it funny and a little touched. At this moment, Elder Uncle was still the director of the planning office, and there was no shortage of people flattering him and trying to curry favor. Yet now, he was actually considering Eric Bennett’s temperament and watching his reaction—how rare was that?

“Yes, yes, right...” His parents hurriedly nodded in agreement. His mother turned her head slightly and said with a hint of affection, “This time, it all depends on him. Anyway, all our hopes are pinned on you, son!”

Beside him, his sister Anna Palmer immediately rolled her eyes at him and said, “He’s not that great at his studies! You all act like you have such high hopes. Look at his mock exam score—just over 470 points, not even 500. Don’t talk about how hard it is to get into No. 3 High School. Back in our middle school, even the worst student in the class scored over 500. Your grades are just average in your class! You can see how bad No. 3 High School is!”

A sense of superiority—this innate sense of superiority was a unique mark of Xiahai City.

His older sister was currently in her second year of high school, and with her consistently excellent grades, she naturally attended No. 1 High School, so it was no surprise she had this sense of superiority.