bChapter /b52

bChapter /b52

Bruce bturned /baround and pointed bat /bCaitlin.

Everyone in the room was bonce /bagain stunned, all eyes now turned toward Caitlin. Elder Xenos askedb, /b“Is Howard’s mother proficient bin /bbpainting/bb? /b

b“/bbNo/bb, /bnob, /bno, I don’t know much about it. Howard just has a simple interest in it, he watched a few times on TV and learned on his ownb,/bb” /bbCaitlin /bbreplied/bb, /bdownying her involvement. She didn’t want to take too much credit, especially since Elder Xenos was a renowned artist; it was better bto /bremain

modest.

b“/bOh my, incredible! bThis /bchild has immense potential–self–taught, no less!” Elder Xenos was growing increasingly delighted. He then asked, “Since Howard hasn’t found a mentor yet, how about he studies painting with me?”

No one had expected that Elder Xenos, a figure known for rejecting all offers of apprenticeship in the past, would suddenly offer to take Howard as a student. This bwas /bba /bfirst.

bIn /bthe past, many noble families had approached Elder Xenos to ask if their children could study under himb, /bbut he always refused, iming he didn’t want to take any disciples. Yet today, he seemed to have broken that rule.

Madison, hearing this, felt enraged. What did this mean? Was he implying that her son wasn’t good enough? To openly take someone else’s bchild /bas ban /bapprentice in front of her–had he even considered her feelingsb? /b

The crowd looked at Caitlin with envious eyes. After allb, /bthis was not an opportunity that came by every dayb–/bshouldn’t she take it?

Paul spoke up, “It’s rare for my father to offer such a thing. Why don’t you ept? It would be good for Howardb./bb” /b

Caitlin smiled faintly and replied, “How could I? Elder Xenos already has such an impressive great–grandson like Kyle. It wouldn’t be appropriate for us to join in.”

Her words were a polite refusal. Elder Xenos looked at the child, sighing inwardly. It was as if he had found a treasure, only to realize it was bout /bof reach.

“A pity, a real pity,” Elder Xenos shook his head and sighed, his gaze lingering on Howard with visible reluctance.

Megan, not one to miss an opportunity, quickly chimed in, “Elder Xenos, if you’re looking to take on a disciple, why not consider Kyle bor /bQuinton? Let them learn from you!”

Elder Xenos did not respond but sighed once again, making Megan feel somewhat embarrassed.

Madison was unwilling to let Howard steal her son’s spotlight. She leaned over and whispered something to Kyle. Kyle,petitive as everb, /bwalked over to Bruce and asked, “Howard, what else can you do? I know Taekwondo–can you do it too?”

Bruce tilted his head, raised his chin slightly, and crossed his arms, but didn’t respond.

Kyle took it for granted that Bruce wouldn’t answer and dered, “Let’s have a match and see who’s better!”

Quickly, Kyle walked to the center of the hall. The guests naturally stepped aside to make room, and Kyle began demonstrating his Taekwondo moves.

With his father being a police officer, Kyle admired heroism and enjoyed martial arts, so he had been practicing Taekwondo from ba /byoung age. His moves were sharp and precise, drawing apuse from the onlookers.

Madison threw a provocative look toward Caitlin, as if to say, “If it’s ba /bpetition between our sons, of course, Kyle will be betterb!/bb” /b

Caitlin simply crossed her arms and remained indifferent, watching Kyle’s performance without a hint of emotion.

When Kyle finished his routine, the apuse rang out. He walked up to Bruce, a smug look on his face, and said, “Your turn, Howardb!/b”

Bruce thought Kyle’s Taekwondo performance was just for show–nothing impressive at all.

bChapter /bb52 /b

bHe /bbtook /bba /bbslight /bbturn/bb, /bband /bbjust /bbas /bbeveryone /bbthought /bbhe /bwas bwalking /bbaway/bb, /bbhe /bbsuddenly /bbspun /bbback /bbaround/bb. /bIn a swift motionb, /bhe kicked above kyl Fa band /bbthen/bb, /bbwith /bba /bbloud /bbthud/bb, /bbhis /bbfoot /bbcame /bbdown /bbon /bthe solid wooden btable/bb, /bsplitting it in half.

bCrack/bb!/b”

bKyle /bstaredb, /bstunned.

“bWow/b…”

The others gasped in shock, many of them muttering in disbelief.

“My God! This kid is amazing!”

b“/bbDid /bbhe /breally learn that kind of skill?”

Everyone was astounded. How could a small five–year–old have the strength to break such a sturdy table with a single kickb? /b

Was his leg even okay?

Caitlin walked over and knelt beside her sonb, /bsaying, “Howard, that was btoo /bdangerousb. /bYou almost hurt someone. Even if you didn’t bhit /bbanyone/bb, /bbreaking furniture like that is not good!”

Felix, amazed by the child’s strength, stepped forward. “Impressive, Howard! Where did you learn those leg techniques?b” /b

Bruce shook his head slightly. Caitlin stood up and exined, “This child is just a bit mischievous. He tends to kick whatever he sees. I’m really sorry

about the table.”

“No problem, no problem, but that power is something else!” Felixplimented.

Elder Xenos, now even more impressed, took a long look at Bruce. “This child is truly exceptional–both schrly and physically gifted. If trained properly, his future is limitless.”

Beatrice and Molly, seeing their own children’s talent, felt quite pleased.

Megan, on the other hand, was dismissive, thinking that Howard was simply lucky, attributing the feat to the weakness of the table, not the child’s actual

skill.

Madison’s face darkened with anger. This was supposed to be Kyle’s day–his birthday party. She had wanted him to be the star of the show, but bnow /bbthis /bsilent little boy from The Vanderbilt Family had purposely stolen the spotlight. It was disgusting!

It had to be Caitlin’s fault–she must have encouraged her son to show off.

“I should never have invited The Vanderbilt Family,” she muttered to herself.

The room soon returned to its previous calm, but the whispers and curious nces never stopped.

After the party wrapped up, Beatrice announced they were leavingb. /bCaitlin and her group prepared to head home.

Felix moved to apany them, but Madison grabbed his armb, /bnot wanting her husband to be influenced by that woman.

On the way back, the talk was mostly about Howard. Molly excitedly said, “I can’t believe my little nephew has such hidden talentsb! /bToday, Howard really brought honor bto /bThe Vanderbilt Family! Did you see Kyle’s mom? Her face went green! Hahaha…”

“Serves her right for looking down on our Howard!”

Caitlin simply wanted Bruce to show Howard’s worth, to make those who underestimated him regret it.

Bruce remained indifferent throughout, showing no emotion at all. All he did was reveal a single kick–he hadn’t even tried his hardest!

19:56 Monb, /bb26 /bMay

“To be honest, Caitlin, you’re really great to Howard. You always protect him. Howard is lucky to have you as his mother.”

Caitlin didn’t respond. In her heart, she knew it was only natural to protect her son.

4777 1

When they returned to the Vanderbilt estate, it was already past 9 PM. Caitlin led Bruce upstairs, only to be shocked by the scene that awaited her.

“Sebastian, why did you take off your cast?”

Caitlin looked at her husband, who was sitting in a wheelchair, wearing sunsses, and was quite surprised. He looked eerily like a statue in that

moment.

Bruce also noticed his father and wondered if it wasn’t exhausting for him to pose like a sculpture, motionless for so long.

“Caitlin,” Sebastian asked, his voice calm but firm, “Do you remember what the first condition of our agreement was?”

“To take care of your daily needs,” Caitlin replied, slightly taken aback.

“Then where have you been all day? You’ve been too busy having dinner and socializing with other men,pletely neglecting me. Is this how you honor your promise to take care of me?” He questioned, his face stern, disappointment in his voice.

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