Chapter 197: Chapter 197

Chapter 197 Am I Worthy The atmosphere fell silent.

Derrick burst into wild laughter. “Finnegan, have you lost your mind? Do you think you’re the head of the Department of Education or something?”

Michelle shook her head in ridicule. “Do you think knowing Mr. Haimowitz makes you special? How laughable!”

The guests who came to celebrate the birthday were all chuckling and shaking their heads in amusement.

They all felt that Finnegan was too arrogant.

Robert might seem like just a director at the Department of Education, but he was in charge of personnel transfers for all the schools in the city.

Not many people could afford to offend him carelessly!

Robert chuckled dismissively. “Finny, the fact that you know Mr. Haimowitz shows you’re quite capable.

However, remember, I’m an elder who watched you grow up. Is this how you should speak to your elders?”

He waved his hand and said, “Stop embarrassing yourself. Do as I just told you, then hurry up and leave this place. If the Caulder family sees you causing a scene at the door, even I won’t be able to protect you!”

Derrick chuckled. “Finnegan, this is the home of Soren, the former principal of Durbaine University. His son is the commissioner of the Department of Education. You’d better apologize quickly and get out of here. Don’t cause trouble for yourself.”

Desmond’s expression tensed up.

Feeling a bit uneasy, he grabbed Finnegan’s arm, “Finny, is this Old Mr. Caulder’s house?”

“Yes, I brought you here today to attend Old Mr. Caulder’s eightieth birthday celebration,” answered Finnegan.

Desmond hadn’t even reacted yet when Derrick burst out laughing, “Finnegan, are you here to be a comedian?”

Derrick raised his voice on purpose. “Even Zephyr may not be qualified enough to celebrate Old Mr.

Caulder’s birthday, so what makes you think you are? To think you even brought your father here! Do you think you’re qualified because you have an exceptionally thick skin? Or is it because you’re extraordinarily poor?”

Michelle sneered, “Your family can’t even compare to an ordinary teacher like me, and yet you want to celebrate Old Mr. Caulder’s birthday? I think you are just here to network and curry favor, aren’t you?”

“All right, all right.” Robert waved his hand with a smile, “Rick, you guys shouldn’t talk like that. After all, Finnegan was once your classmate. His father was your teacher back in the day. Let’s spare them some dignity.”

As for Finnegan coming to wish Soren a happy birthday, he simply didn’t believe it.

à­® After all, he had to fight for quite a while to obtain that opportunity.

As such, he didn’t believe Finnegan’s family, who was almost driven to bankruptcy by Killian, and the right to attend the birthday banquet.

He even felt that continuing talking with them would only diminish his own status.

Thus, he said, “Finny, kneel down and apologize to Rick. Considering that I’ve watched you grow up and the years I spent working with your father, I’ll pretend as if nothing has happened.”

Finnegan sneered, “Robert, are you really not planning to seize the opportunity to retire gracefully?”

A dark look flashed past Robert’s eyes.

However, in front of so many people, he had to maintain his image. “Finnegan, as a young man, you should stay grounded and be careful with your words. Otherwise, you might inadvertently cause trouble for yourself and your family!”

The threat was gradually becoming apparent.

Derrick mocked, “Do you think you can control my dad’s chance of retiring gracefully? You’re delusional!”

Amocking expression settled on Michelle and those around her. They all thought Finnegan was a fool to threaten Robert, a man of great influence.

“Maybe Mr. Larkin doesn’t, but what about us?” At that moment, a deep, angry question echoed from the crowd.

Without a second thought, Derrick snapped, “Who the hell is spouting nonsense? There are hardly a few people in Jadeborough who are even qualified to-”

Before he could finish his sentence, Robert, who had clearly seen the speaker, changed his expression. Without hesitation, he slapped his son and snapped, “Shut up!”

Walking over quickly with a smile on his face, he said, “Mr. Miles, Old Mr. Haimowitz, you’re both here too?”

Faced with the two leading figures from Jadeborough’s top families, Robert could only respond with a forced smile.

However, Gilbert and Winston blatantly ignored him with cold expressions.

In the midst of Robert’s and the others’ shock, they walked up to Finnegan.

Gilbert and Winston greeted, “Good day, Mr. Larkin!”

The scene immediately erupted into chaos, and the crowd was in disbelief. What’s going on here? How could Mr. Miles and Old Mr. Haimowitz be so polite to someone who speaks so arrogantly?

Robert paled in an instant, his calves trembling.

Derrick and Michelle were stunned. They had yet to realize that a significant issue was about to arise.

Finnegan gave a slight nod in response, then turned his gaze to Derrick. “Do I qualify now?”

Startled, Derrick shook his head in disbelief. “Impossible. How could you possibly know Mr. Miles and his associates?”

Michelle blurted out thoughtlessly. “Even if you know Mr. Miles, it’s useless. They have no authority over Mr. Weller!”

Robert’s expression drastically changed. He was starting to be aware of the impending danger.

“If they’re not qualified, what about me?” Before Robert could even utter a word of rebuke, William had already approached with a gloomy expression on his face.

He had arrived at the door two minutes ago but chose not to step forward. He wanted to see just how far Robert would go with his underhanded tactics.

The outcome didn’t disappoint him at all.

Robert stumbled forward hastily. “Mr. Caulder, my son and his girlfriend are still young and naive.

They’re just talking nonsense!”

He didn’t dare to offend Gilbert or Winston, much less William, who could determine his future in a single sentence.

Even Derrick and Michelle, as naive as they were, could see the problem at that moment. They hurriedly explained. “Yes, we are just speaking nonsense!”

That sudden turn of events left the onlookers struggling to keep up. This brat, Finnegan, is even familiar with William?

With a cold huff. William looked at Finnegan amidst the despairing gazes of Robert and his group. “Mr.

Larkin, what would you like to do?”

Oh my goodness! Who is he, really? Why does it seem like Mr. Caulder always wants to listen to him?

wondered the crowd.

In the midst of everyone’s stunned surprise, Finnegan pulled the unresponsive Desmond. Then, he turned around indifferently, and said, “Handle it like official business!”

William then said, “Robert, starting today, you are suspended. Additionally, the city council’s investigation team will intervene this afternoon to investigate your actions over the years. Please cooperate!”

“Finny, I’ve watched you grow up. I even held you in my arms when you were little! Desmond, we’ve worked together for over a decade. We even shared the same dorm room. Come on, say something!”

pleaded Robert.

“Finnegan, I was wrong. Please ask Mr. Caulder not to punish my father. I beg you!” begged Derrick.

Robert and his son finally came to their senses, their faces pale. Without any regard for their dignity, they knelt down and pleaded.

However, Finnegan ignored them and led Desmond into the mansion. William didn’t even spare a glance. He just followed them in.

The onlookers, afraid of being implicated by the father and son duo, began to disperse in small groups, heading inward. “It seems that one should not be too arrogant in life because you never know who may be III a low-profile big shot.”

Michelle blinked.

She looked at Robert and his son kneeling and wailing in pain, then looking ahead.

Then, as if she didn’t know Robert and his son, she shrank her neck and quietly retreated.

Subsequently, she hailed a cab and swiftly left.

She wanted to avoid being expelled by William under Finnegan’s instruction.

After all, she obtained her job after spending considerable time with Derrick.

O