Chapter 49

Walter rose and placed a hand over his heart. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Grandmaster."

Queenie, previously engrossed in her phone, looked up at Nash and froze. He was remarkably young. Could he truly be Dr. Tanner's grandmaster?

"Just call me Nash," he replied, without looking at Walter. He seated himself, picked up his cutlery, and began eating. His late sleep had left him famished.

"Hey! My grandpa greeted you," Queenie frowned, unable to tolerate his behavior.

Nash ate heartily, enjoying the superior quality of the restaurant's food compared to his own cooking on Tili Mountain. Queenie's anger intensified as he ignored her. "You—"

"Queenie, be polite," Walter interrupted sharply, his gaze stern. Kai's offense from the previous day weighed heavily on his mind; he wouldn't allow a repeat with Queenie.

Nash glanced at Queenie indifferently before addressing Walter. "Let's eat first. This meal's on me."

Brian poured wine, courtesy of the restaurant owner. Walter raised his glass. "My grandson, Kai, offended you yesterday, Dr. Tanner. I sincerely apologize. This is a toast to you, on his behalf." He drained his glass in one swift movement.

His humility shocked everyone. Was this truly Jonford's wealthiest man? He had actually apologized and toasted a younger man? Nash, however, continued eating.

"Brat! My grandfather is apologizing to you!" Queenie erupted. Her grandfather, the most powerful man in Jonford, commanded respect even from the governor. Yet, Nash ignored his apology.

"Shut up!" Walter's sharp rebuke silenced her. Queenie stared, disbelief etched on her face. Never before had she faced such fierceness. Though her grandfather favored her cousin, he had always been fond of her. This public scolding was unprecedented.

Walter produced a check, placing it on the table and sliding it toward Nash. "Dr. Calcraft, this is one hundred million dollars. The Watsons' sincere apology. Treatment costs for my wife are separate."

A hundred million dollars! The restaurant patrons gasped. Such a sum was beyond their wildest dreams—a simple apology from the wealthiest man to a young stranger. Who was this young man?

Even Queenie was stunned. She knew her cousin had offended someone, but never imagined her grandfather would spend one hundred million dollars to rectify the situation. It was a mere trifle to him, a drop in the ocean for the family, but an astronomical sum to her. A year's allowance for her cousin didn't even come close.

Nash calmly reviewed the check's amount, then drained his glass.