Chapter 777: Toast

Despite the real nature of the Pierson family meeting, everyone managed to maintain a light mood. Taking their respective seats, the lively chatter harmonized with the live music while smiles remained on their faces.

"Uncle William, I heard about your deal with the LML Jewels," one of the men at the table mused. "Congratulations. I’m sure this venture will be a success for both the company and the family."

"Uncle William, congratulations on this!"

"The expected income percentage this year will be double than what it was last year..."

One after another, those near William’s seat couldn’t help but praise him, adding their compliments. William chuckled, listening to all the congratulatory remarks thrown in his way. Since only William was at the table — Zoren and Dean weren’t even there — many at the table were trying to curry favor with him.

"Heh," William smirked, clearing his throat loudly. "LML Jewels is all well and good, but it’s a piece of cake to do business with them. Though I can’t take all the credit."

He slowly turned to his left, reaching out to hold Karina’s hand. "I have to recognize my daughter’s effort in all of this."

Karina smiled at her father. "No, Dad. It’s all thanks to you that I was able to do this," she said, facing everyone gracefully. "But at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter who did what. We all have the company and the family’s best interests at heart. So, one person’s achievement is everyone’s achievement."

"Toast to that!" William chuckled heartily, raising his wine. "This might not be as big as expected, but I’m certain it’s the start of something."

Slowly, everyone reached for their glasses and raised them. However, just as another person held up his wineglass, he smirked.

"This deal surely deserves a toast," said another man at the table, earning everyone’s gaze with his mild yet playful tone. "However, didn’t LML Jewels once have a deal with the First Branch? From what I heard, LML Jewels were known for their... let’s say, shady dealings. That’s why the First Branch dropped them in the first place."

William’s eyes slowly fell on the middle-aged man, who had always been a loyal supporter of Dean. "Your point, Lloyd?"

"Nothing," Lloyd shrugged indifferently. "All I’m saying is that whether LML Jewels manages to make it with the company’s business or not, our stocks and data will still be higher than in previous years, as the First Branch was in charge of management."

"Lloyd, aren’t you being a bit too pretentious now?" another middle-aged man chimed in. "We’re about to toast to the achievement the Second Branch has made for the family and the company."

Lloyd smirked. "Then, if we’re toasting for all the achievements we’ve made, we’d be toasting all night."

"The last time I heard, only the main branch could lead the toast," another woman added. She was younger than the others talking, but her seat next to Lloyd indicated she held a significant role in the family. "No offense, Uncle William, but I think it’s best to wait for the patriarch and matriarch to arrive."

Karina smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. She gazed at the people across from her, keeping a dignified front despite the obvious mockery these two were showing.

"Hah!" William snorted, putting his glass down to the side. He leaned forward, his eyes darting between the two. "Just look at the two of you. I heard you’re the one who’s been managing one of the main branch subsidiaries."

"Yes, we are," Lloyd nodded. "However, the management has nothing to do with any of this. The Young Master Dean hasn’t joined us yet, and Zoren hasn’t arrived either. I’m simply thinking of your well-being, William."

The woman beside him pursed her lips to hold back her laughter. "Uncle William, we understand that the Second Branch has all the rights to start the dinner since the main and First Branch aren’t here yet. But as Karina mentioned, everyone here only has the company and family’s best interests at heart."

"Isn’t it in our best interest not to incur the head of the family’s wrath?" she added, her tone turning more suggestive. Her eyes slid to the young woman beside William, smirking. "Right, Karina?"

Karina’s smile stretched, her eyes sharpening as she held her cousin’s gaze. William and Lloyd, on the other hand, sized each other up.

Meanwhile, everyone remained quiet while others took a quick sip of their wines or champagne. If they had done the toast, they would’ve finished by now and were enjoying their drinks. However, with Lloyd and the other woman from the Third Branch interfering, the atmosphere quickly shifted.

It was just a simple toast, yet people were already refusing to let anyone take the lead. It looked insignificant, but it also showed a lot of power. How could others let the Second Branch take the lead just because Dean and Zoren weren’t here?

"Lloyd, I’ve heard a lot has been happening even before the family meeting," William said casually, leaning back and keeping his eyes on Lloyd. "You should be careful. At your age, it’s hard to tell. You never know what’s going to come... or if we’ll have another day to prattle on about nonsense."

"I agree," Lloyd nodded, his smile fading at the clear insinuation and threat being thrown his way. Not that it surprised him; William had always resorted to threats when things didn’t go his way. "It’s the same for you, William. You and I... we’re not young anymore."

His eyes slid to Karina, and he smiled. "Karina has been showing a lot of potential, and although it wasn’t as excellent as one would expect, it wasn’t bad either."

’Not as excellent?’ Karina’s smile twisted, her hands gripping the table. ’Hah. Surely, the Third Branch is going all out tonight.’

After all, the Second and Third Branches of the family had always supported the First Branch — specifically, Dean. But recently, William had grown tired of Dean’s slow pace in taking more control over the family. Hence, the Second Branch changed course and became a key player in this power struggle.

Belle lowered her head, unsure whether she should be grateful that the Third Branch was going head-to-head with the Second Branch and that William and Karina seemed to forget about her. Even so, she couldn’t feel too complacent, knowing they would get to her eventually.

"William, not because..." Lloyd trailed off when he saw a servant rush to someone at the table. Glancing at the servant whispering to another family member, he realized Zoren had arrived.

His guess was correct because after a second, the family member the servant had approached faced everyone with a smile.

"The head of the family has arrived."