Chapter 39
The First Heir
Philip got into the Audi and continued discussing Milaâs condition with Henry. Henry had already
researched Milaâs condition for half a month now, and the success rate he could come up with was
80%! That meant a very high chance of complete recovery!
They went to the hospital to take a look at Wynn. She was now safe but still unconscious due to the
shock.
Just after Philip left the hospital entrance with Henry, Keagan, and Theo in tow, he received a call from
his father-in-law.
Charles was furious as he bellowed, âPhilip! Where did you run off to? Whereâs the painting I told you to
deliver?â
Slap! Philip smacked his forehead then remembered that he had left the house this morning to deliver a
painting to Civil Gallery. How could he have forgotten it? Without another thought, Philip quickly said,
âSend me to Southville Street.â
Theo immediately went up to open the door of his Benz, inviting Philip in. Henry and Keagan, too,
wanted to invite Philip into their own cars, but they were not as quick as Theo.
âLetâs follow them,â said Henry.
Soon, five Audis followed closely behind the Benz as they made their way to the old housing area at
Southville Street.
The car did not stop in front of the house because Martha was at home. Philip had the car stopped
somewhere else then he jogged over to the old house and knocked. âMom, Iâm here for the painting.â
Martha opened the door with a sulky expression and scolded, âWhere the hell did you run off to? Were
you trying to get me to deliver the painting myself instead? I donât even know what youâre doing with
your life. You only know how to slack around.â
As Philip listened to Marthaâs abusive words, he only smiled sheepishly and continued to apologize. He
picked up the gift box that was readily placed on the coffee table then rushed out the door. Behind him,
his mother-in-law continued to admonish, âWhy did my daughter even marry such a wretched piece of
trash! She must have been cursed by terrible luck!â
Marthaâs voice could be heard around the end of the street. The mouths of Theo, Henry, and Keagan,
who had been standing beside their cars, twitched. This mother-in-law was too much. But, why was Mr.
Clarke tolerating her when he was so powerful in reality?
âTo Civil Gallery. You guys can stop following me. If thereâs anything, weâll talk tomorrow.â Philip looked
at Henry and the rest who still looked like they wanted to follow him.
After Philip got in, the car drove toward Civil Gallery.
Back at the gallery, all the decorations were ready and the place was filled with honored guests.
Everything was going well except for the main hall where a crowd of people waited with dark
expressions. Among them was Charles Johnston who was especially annoyed. He put his hands
behind him as he said, âThis Philip really canât do anything right. He canât even deliver a painting
properly after being told to!â
The exhibition had already started, but the most significant piece, Companionship at the Spring
Mountains by Tang Bohu, had not arrived yet. This flustered Charles!
It was such a rare opportunity for him to finally shine in front of his old friends and a few of the famous
collectors within the country, but this scene was now made awkward by his son-in-law. How could he
not be furious?
Aiden was standing beside Charles, unable to conceal the smirk on his face as he said, âUncle
Johnston, I think Philip is blatantly disrespecting you. This is such an important exhibition, but he is
late. Isnât he just trying to embarrass you?â This brat was really terrible! He was trying to make the
situation worse even at a time like this.
âHmph!â Charles snorted. âI donât have a son-in-law like him!â
The people inside the gallery were mostly art collectors as well, and they were getting impatient as they
spoke up.
âCharles, weâre all here because of your invitation, but what do you have to show us? Whereâs the
painting?â
âYouâre insincere with us. Or maybe you donât really have the Companionship at the Spring Mountains
and are just trying to bluff us.â
âThe other stuff here isnât much, and weâre just waiting for this painting. Tell us how much longer we
must wait.â
As everyone got restless, Charles could only smile and apologize. âItâll be here soon, my son-in-law is
on the way.â This sh*tty Philip! Once this exhibition ends, I will have Wynn divorce him!
âHehe, Charles, wouldnât asking that crap of a son-in-law of yours to deliver that painting be a disgrace
to the art piece?â Among the crowd, a balding middle-aged man started mocking.
He was Charlesâs rival, Benjamin Money. They were in the same department in their working days and
had always been at each otherâs throats.
The rumors about Charlesâs son-in-law being a wretched piece of trash was already spread throughout
their circle, and people would at most gossip under their breaths. But for Benjamin to put it out on the
table and mock him in front of everyone was going a little too far.
Just then, Philip arrived at the outer area of Civil Gallery in Theoâs car. Once he confirmed that no one
around recognized him, he got out and rushed into the gallery.
Theo, too, had waited for a bit before entering the gallery on the pretense of visiting the place as he
followed Philip.
With the gift box under his arm, Philip jogged over to exhibition hall number one at Area C.
As soon as he showed up at the gallery entrance, Aiden who had sharp eyes called out, âPhilipâs here!â
After shouting out, he rushed over and snatched the painting from Philipâs hands and admonished,
âPhilip, what took you so long just to deliver a painting? You didnât go and mess around with some
woman, did you?â
Aiden had seen Philip get into Annaâs car with his own eyes, so he intentionally said this loudly.