The corners of Edward Reynolds's mouth curled into a smug smile as he slowly began, “Cangqiong, for your father’s sake, if you cooperate, we brothers might be able to plead for you. If…”

He hadn’t finished his sentence when suddenly a loud voice came from outside: “Patriarch Beigong, Samuel Bennett, is here to visit!”

Samuel Bennett?

Upon hearing this name, everyone’s expression changed slightly.

Edward Reynolds and his group looked stunned, clearly caught off guard. Yet William Reynolds just smiled faintly, as if everything was within his expectations.

As for Charles Reynolds, he was anxious and uneasy. Hearing that Samuel Bennett had come in person made him even more nervous—he both hoped for a miracle and feared the Beigong family was here to cause trouble.

With a hearty laugh, Samuel Bennett had already arrived outside the courtyard: “Second Young Master Ren, this old man is here. Hm? Such a lively gathering?”

Hearing Samuel Bennett’s cheerful voice, William Reynolds immediately knew that Grace Bennett’s problem had been resolved.

He stepped forward a couple of paces. “Patriarch Beigong, I apologize for not welcoming you sooner.”

“Hehe, no need to be so polite.” Samuel Bennett glanced at Edward Reynolds and the others. They were all shrewd people; one look at the situation and they could guess most of what was going on, so he didn’t mention the matter of the Moonlight Medal.

Edward Reynolds was still rather wary of this patriarch. After being glanced at by Samuel Bennett, he instinctively smiled and greeted, “Patriarch Beigong, what brings you here today?”

Samuel Bennett enthusiastically came forward, completely ignoring Edward Reynolds’s greeting. He grabbed William Reynolds’s hands with both of his, shaking them repeatedly: “Cangqiong, my worthy nephew, I came this time specifically to thank you. I’ve prepared a small token of appreciation—please don’t mind if it’s a bit modest.”

William Reynolds felt a hard object pressed into his palm under his wide sleeve. With a gentle squeeze, he knew it was the Moonlight Medal, and he smiled knowingly. “Uncle Beigong, you’re being too formal.”

The two of them—one calling “worthy nephew,” the other “uncle”—acted as if they were close relatives reunited after many years, their intimacy leaving everyone else bewildered. Edward Reynolds and David Reynolds were left out in the cold.

Emily Reynolds, a bit slow on the uptake, didn’t quite grasp the situation, but Edward Reynolds and David Reynolds were old hands. How could they not know Samuel Bennett’s status in Yunluo City?

This much was clear from Samuel Bennett’s casual attitude toward them.

But now, the patriarch of the Beigong family was being so warm to a junior from their family, as if he owed him a huge favor.

Could it be that the rumors about Charles Reynolds stealing from the Beigong family were indeed unfounded?

Evelyn Reynolds, recognized as the strongest of the younger generation in the Ren family, felt quite uncomfortable at this moment. Since Samuel Bennett entered, he had completely ignored their group, showing warmth only to William Reynolds, shaking his hands over and over—one couldn’t imagine a more affectionate scene.

Instinctively, Evelyn Reynolds felt a sense of imbalance and rivalry.

He cleared his throat lightly. “Patriarch Beigong.”

Samuel Bennett seemed to only then notice someone else nearby, turning around in surprise. “What is it?”

Evelyn Reynolds said, “William Reynolds and his brother have violated family rules. Our clan is currently handling some internal affairs. If it’s convenient for you, Patriarch Beigong…”

Samuel Bennett was a clever man and had already seen what was going on. But since it was pointed out as a family matter, it wouldn’t be appropriate for him to interfere openly.

He smiled and said, “Brother Dongshan, your family’s internal affairs are not for me to meddle in. However, I’m giving some gifts to Second Young Master Ren—I trust none of you will object?”

With that, he clapped his hands. “Bring them in.”

Outside the door, there was a lively commotion as twenty-four young attendants in blue, paired up, each carrying a large chest.

As each pair entered, they loudly announced the gifts inside: “Three thousand taels of gold…”

“A pair of jadeite Ruyi scepters…”

“Twelve Silver Cloud luminous pearls…”

“Four East Sea jade coral trees…”

One gift after another was carried in, overwhelming the nerves of Edward Reynolds and the others.

William Reynolds was somewhat surprised. Samuel Bennett truly knew how to play the game—not only did he show enough goodwill, but he also cooperated to put on such a thorough performance, which William Reynolds hadn’t expected.

Glancing at the dumbfounded Edward Reynolds and the others, Samuel Bennett knew he had made a strong impression. Smiling, he said to William Reynolds, “Worthy nephew, I must say, I’d like to trouble you for a cup of wine today. You wouldn’t mind, would you?”

William Reynolds, ever astute, understood that Samuel Bennett was backing him up. With a faint smile, he turned and instructed Little Alice, “Little Alice, tell the kitchen to prepare extra dishes tonight—we have guests.”

He then said to Samuel Bennett, “There will be food and wine, though our home is humble. Uncle Beigong, I hope you won’t mind.”

“Not at all, not at all.” Samuel Bennett smiled warmly, as if suddenly remembering Edward Reynolds and the others. He plopped down on a chair and said with a laugh, “Brother Dongshan, you all carry on and finish up early. I still want to have a few drinks with my worthy nephew Cangqiong.”

Edward Reynolds knew full well that Samuel Bennett was clearly showing his support for William Reynolds. Looking at the current situation, the rumors were most likely false.

They had come here under the pretense of enforcing family rules, based on what seemed like reliable information that William Reynolds had sold the Moonlight Medal to ransom Charles Reynolds.

But seeing the warm relationship between Samuel Bennett and William Reynolds now, it seemed the rumors were probably untrue.