Gladys got into the car, but Benjamin and the others chose to go home. James raced toward the military region, quickly catching up with the fleet of Callahan cars. He slowed, leisurely tailing the vehicles.
The Callahans, though once a second-rate family, were now reasonably wealthy. Each family member owned a luxury car or two. To maintain appearances, Colson had even brought an additional luxury car from home. The resulting fleet was an extravagant display—more than ten cars, accompanied by drums, making for a lively procession. The banner preceding the fleet was the centerpiece, attracting everyone's attention. Many people filmed the scene and uploaded it to various social media platforms, causing a stir.
“The Callahans are amazing!” “Many important Cansington families missed the invitation, but not the Callahans!” “Ah, well, it's all thanks to Colson!” The buzz was palpable.
Inside the Bentley, Lex grinned at the attention. The other Callahans were equally pleased. Attending the Blithe King's succession ceremony signified his approval, solidifying their upper-class status.
“Thank you, dear,” Megan gushed, kissing the driving Colson. He had borrowed a Firarre from his family and looked self-satisfied. “I told you, Megan. I wouldn’t let you down. How’s this for making your family proud?”
“It’s amazing,” Megan replied, her voice thick with emotion. “However, Dad mentioned five million dollars isn't quite enough.”
“I’ll tell Grandfather and get him to pay,” Colson said.
“Megan, that’s not what I mean,” Colson clarified. “Dear, you’ve been such a great help. How could we let you pay from your own pocket? Don’t worry. We still have a few million dollars in our account.” Colson looked relieved.
The fleet of cars moved slowly, the drum sounds almost deafening. Passersby continued filming. Soon, they reached the military region, where the ceremony hadn't yet begun. Attendees waited outside, maintaining a low profile, each arriving alone.
Suddenly, the sounds of drums and firecrackers filled the air—an earsplitting cacophony. Everyone turned to see a fleet of cars approaching, led by one bearing a banner. The display shocked those present. The fleet stopped outside the military region.
Lex disembarked, leaning on his cane, his face radiating pride. The Callahans were finally upper-class. He spotted and greeted several important people. Despite their humble beginnings, Lex still possessed some, albeit distant, connections.
“Zimmerman, it’s you! You got an invitation too. Cost you a lot, eh?” Lex asked. “Aren’t you the chairman of Sea and Sky Pharmaceuticals? Good day, Mister Smith. I’m Lex Callahan from Eternality. We recently partnered with Celestial Group.”
Upon arrival, Lex greeted everyone he knew, regardless of how distant the connection. He even brandished his invitation from the Western Border Patrol. The other Callahans exited their cars, feeling elated. This was a significant milestone. Noticing Lex's invitation, the other attendees changed their demeanor. “What? A special guest?” they murmured, acknowledging his elevated status.
The repeated promotional material ("Search the FindNovel.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.") has been removed as it is not part of the narrative.