Chapter 618

chapter618

On the sidelines, Shane caught the drift of the conversation and immediately offered a dry laugh. “Howard, let’s not worry about Emmanuel’s domestic life. If you had to balance a career and a marriage with someone as formidable as Mackenzie, I suspect you’d find it a much greater challenge than he does, wouldn't you?”

Howard faltered for a moment, the observation hitting a sensitive nerve. He cleared his throat awkwardly. “Who would want to deal with such a demanding and uncompromising personality?”

“Is that envy I smell?” Shane countered, waving a hand dismissively. “Frederick, do you sense a bit of sour grapes here?”

“Call me Frederick,” his friend corrected with a smirk. “And yes, I’ve smelled it for a while. It’s a scent stronger than spoiled vinegar. Some people just can't handle a woman who knows her own mind.”

In Frederick’s eyes, the friction wasn't Mackenzie’s fault; it was Queenie who had initiated the tension with her provocative comments. To suggest a history with another woman’s husband in such a public setting was a social gamble that had clearly backfired. The fact that Mackenzie had maintained her composure was, in Frederick’s view, a display of immense restraint and class.

He felt a sense of relief for Emmanuel. Mackenzie’s firm, no-nonsense attitude wasn't a sign of coldness, but a shield for their private life. Emmanuel seemed to understand this intuitively; he didn't feel resentful of her sharp wit. On the contrary, he felt a strange sense of security. Her protectiveness is just her way of showing she cares, he thought.

However, Zaniel remained a point of concern for Emmanuel. Based on Howard’s description, the man seemed detached, showing none of the partnership one would expect in a marriage. What are Howard and Queenie planning? Emmanuel wondered. And why surround themselves with such unpredictable figures?

“The Old Godfather has arrived!” someone suddenly exclaimed.

The lively chatter in front of the church died down instantly. The sudden silence was a testament to the esteemed position the patriarch held within Hero’s Village.

Mackenzie had imagined the legendary leader of the village to be a towering, scholarly figure radiating an aura of absolute command. She had even felt a rare flicker of anticipation. However, her first impression was one of quiet surprise.

She realized she had been influenced by dramatic media portrayals. In reality, the Old Godfather was a man of immense age, his face etched with the deep lines of a century of lived history. His attire was simple and functional, devoid of any ostentatious displays of power. The only thing that matched Mackenzie’s expectation was his eyes—deep, observant, and possessing a sharp, enduring clarity.

“Greetings, Old Godfather!” The villagers bowed in unison, their voices rising as one.

Emmanuel joined them, his head bowed in genuine respect. His admiration wasn't just a product of family tradition, but a personal debt; the patriarch had been his first mentor, teaching him the fundamental principles of discipline and martial arts when he was just a boy. To Emmanuel, this man represented the living soul of the village.

“Happy New Year to you all,” the Old Godfather said, his voice slow but steady. He raised a hand in a benevolent greeting to his descendants. Then, supported by a focused young man, he moved toward the center of the gathering to take his seat.

The entire village stood at attention. Despite his advanced age, which made his movements deliberate and sometimes strained, the respect afforded to him was absolute. Mackenzie watched as the young assistant helped the elderly man settle into his chair, her brow furrowing slightly. As a CEO who valued efficiency and precision, the slow pace of the traditional ceremony tested her patience. She was accustomed to being the one people waited for, not the one standing in a crowd watching a lengthy ritual.

Once the Old Godfather was settled, his young assistant turned his gaze toward the crowd. When his eyes met Emmanuel’s, his expression shifted subtly, a spark of recognition lighting up his face.

“Emmanuel, it’s been a long time. You’ve finally returned home, I see,” the man said, his voice carrying clearly across the silent square.