CHAPTER 136: Difference In Position

Han Shuo was stunned when he saw the old man get up and walk over. He hadn't noticed it when the old man was sitting, but when the old man stood up straight, he immediately appeared to be exceptionally awe-inspiring. His body was tall and fit, and he didn't look old and clumsy at all.

Phoebe secretly pinched Han Shuo, wanting him to hurry up and apologise. Lawrence, on the other hand, kept looking at Han Shuo, seemingly urging him to apologise to the old man.

When he saw the old man walk over, Han Shuo said with a rueful smile, "Your ears are really sensitive, but I didn't say anything bad about you, I just wanted to introduce you to a good companion in your old age."

"Oh? Well, that is a bit interesting. I didn't think you were so good-hearted." The old man walked over and gave Han Shuo a look that sent shivers down his spine. Then he pointed at Phoebe and smiled, "You mean that beautiful lady? If it is her, I would be very happy, hehehe!"

Han Shuo was immediately stunned by these words as Phoebe's face turned bright red. She threw a vicious look at Han Shuo, seemingly accusing him of playing with fire.

"No, this lady is clearly inappropriate for your age. I thought this old granny would be more suitable for you." Han Shuo felt that his aura was somewhat blocked when he faced this old man. He opened his mouth and continued spouting random nonsense in an attempt to shake off this oppressive feeling.

On the other hand, Lawrence seemed a bit anxious and continued to send certain glances at Han Shuo. However, he was still a bit too late as Han Shuo spoke his mind.

"Such a rude thing, lacking in breeding and vision. How am I a good match for this old thing? Do you seek death?" Valerie was extremely angry as she glared at Han Shuo with a fierce look. She also glared at the elder for good measure.

"Young man, you must be joking. I'm not young, but I'm definitely younger than this madam. I think she'd be more suitable for my late grandfather." When the elder heard Valerie curse at him too, he actually responded in kind.

Despite his advanced age, his words made Valerie look completely worthless. Valerie was so enraged that smoke almost came out of her seven orifices. She immediately glared at the old man and shouted, "Damned decrepit thing, how dare you say that about me!

A slap rang out as Lawrence suddenly made his move and struck the rich madam. He said with a cold face to Cameron off to the side, "Uncle Cameron, your friend is just too rude. We don't welcome people like her. Please have her leave immediately."

Cameron's face changed slightly as he couldn't quite understand why Lawrence was doing this. The madam was about to go on a rampage. She covered her mouth when she saw a few traces of blood. It looked as if Lawrence hadn't held back with that slap.

Cameron began to sense something was wrong and was about to ask what Lawrence meant when Finance Minister Eevee walked over from a distance. He immediately exclaimed in surprise as he came over and bowed, "Master Hahn, what brings you here?"

Han Shuo's heart jumped in surprise as he suddenly remembered Mr Cameron's talk about Emily's identity earlier. The current head of the Betteridge family was called Hahn. As he thought about it and looked at the elder again, he vaguely guessed his identity.

Cameron's face also changed as he shouted coldly at Valerie in a low voice. "Shut up!" He restrained Valerie, who was about to make more trouble. Then he spoke anxiously to the elder, "I'm sorry Master Hahn, we've been very rude. I will take her away now and come back in a few days to apologise in person."

Valerie had finally regained her composure, and her expression was one of awe and fear. She stood there in a dumb haze, not knowing what to say. It was obvious that she was stunned by Hahn's identity.

"No need, our Betteridge clan cannot accommodate such characters as you." Hahn, on the other hand, kept his usual expression and gave them both a cold look as he spoke weakly.

Cameron's expression was still humble as he continued to apologise, tugging at the dazed Valerie as he quickly walked out. He continued to bow and apologise before he left, until his figure disappeared in the distance.

In this world, even with all the gold coins merchants could earn, their status in society would never be on par with nobles like Hahn, especially when Hahn's clansmen were high-ranking officials in the military. They wouldn't dare offend Hahn, no matter what.

"Little guy, you've got some guts." Seeing that Han Shuo still had the same expression on his face after Cameron had left with clear explanations from Lawrence and Eevee, Hahn was a bit surprised to see that Han Shuo didn't offer an apology or appear so frightened. He snorted softly at Han Shuo.

Actually, Han Shuo had been a bit shocked when he found out Hahn's identity. However, he hadn't said anything too offensive just now, so he wasn't that afraid of Hahn. When he heard Hahn's words, Han Shuo said with a conciliatory smile, "I was just joking with you earlier, I think you wouldn't mind with your magnanimity."

"Hehehe, I am a very narrow-minded person. Everyone knows that." Hahn laughed strangely and replied with something that was outside of Han Shuo's expectations.

This left Han Shuo a little taken aback as he stood there at a loss for words.

""Eh, honoured father, what are you standing here chatting about?" Emily had changed into a new set of clothes by this time and glanced at Han Shuo, then at Hahn in surprise.

Emily had married Hahn's second son, but the unlucky fellow hadn't had time to consummate the marriage before Hahn had sent him to the battlefield. He didn't return, leaving Emily a widow. After Emily became Betteridge's daughter-in-law, old Hahn blamed himself and felt he owed his son and daughter-in-law something. It was said that he loved Emily dearly and was even closer to her than to his own son.

"Nothing much, just that I've met an interesting little fellow. Mm, let's go, let's go. I'll dance with you. I don't understand you at all. You never used to bring a date to these banquets, but this time you wanted to drag me along. You'll be the death of me sooner or later. Old Hahn responded carelessly at first, then complained merrily as he walked towards the dance hall.

Emily would have liked to say more, but she could only quickly follow Old Hahn. As she left, however, Emily still gave Han Shuo a subtle look.

Old Hahn's words seemed to subtly hint at something. He thought about it for a moment and understood that it might have been because of him that Emily had changed. Inwardly, he was quite touched.

"Ah, so she's Madame Emily. I should be meeting her for the first time today, but why does her back look a bit familiar?" Lawrence looked in the direction where Emily had disappeared and glanced at Han Shuo, asking in a low voice.

Lawrence's words seemed to point to something, especially that last glance at Han Shuo. This made Han Shuo feel that Lawrence seemed to have discovered something, but to Han Shuo, his relationship with Phoebe was the fake one, so he wasn't afraid of Lawrence telling Phoebe about his relationship with Emily. He felt that he was on solid ground and didn't panic.

"Little Phoebe, you haven't offended old Hahn, have you?" Finance Minister Eevee looked at Phoebe and spoke with some concern after Hahn and Emily had left.

"Never mind Phoebe's business, hehehe. Go back to whatever you were doing and don't worry. I'll take care of things here." Lawrence stood beside her and suddenly spoke.

Eevee seemed to listen very carefully to what Lawrence said, because he nodded and didn't say much more after Lawrence had finished. He walked away with a slight smile.

"Don't worry, Master Hahn isn't one to confuse right and wrong. He won't cause you any trouble, I can promise you that. The ball has already started, you two can go and enjoy yourselves." Lawrence spoke to Han Shuo and Phoebe with a small smile after Eevee had left.

"Mm, understood, elder brother." Phoebe smiled and pulled Han Shuo's arm, seemingly saying at random, "Come dance with me."

Han Shuo started and said a bit desperately, "Forget it, I don't know how to dance, not at all!"

Phoebe started and hesitated. Just as she was about to give up, her eyebrow suddenly lifted and she said mischievously, "No problem, I can teach you. It's really easy."

"Forget it, I'm really stupid. It won't do me any good to embarrass you in front of everyone." Han Shuo shook his head and refused with a wry smile.

Her slender white neck sticking out, Phoebe said with a slight pout, "What did you promise me before? Don't try and change the subject."

Phoebe wrapped her hands tightly around Han Shuo's arm after she'd spoken, not caring whether Han Shuo had agreed or not. She pulled him towards the dance floor, not giving him a chance to refuse.