"Who's here to see my son?" Mark Jensen stood up, puzzled.
He quickly reviewed in his mind: all the relatives were already here, no one was missing. Could it be someone unexpected?
"It's Mr. Carter," the staff member said, clearly relieved.
As one of the core partners of Starshine Hotel, the Carter Group had long-standing ties with them. And now, the founder of the Carter Group had personally arrived, asking for Mr. Aeron Jensen by name.
That alone had shaken the staff.
"Mr. Carter?" everyone at the family banquet glanced around, surprised.
That surname wasn't from the Jensen family.
While they were still whispering and speculating, a bearded man in his late fifties entered the box, followed closely by a reserved-looking teenager around seventeen or eighteen.
Despite his plain clothes, the man's presence radiated natural authority—like someone used to commanding respect.
"Wait… is that the founder of the Carter Group?" someone whispered in awe.
In the interstellar age, photos of influential figures circulated everywhere, and the Carter Group was one of the fifty largest enterprises in Dongning City.
The room erupted in murmurs.
"That's him. That's definitely Carter!"
"Why would someone of his level come to see Aeron?"
A few guests even pulled up online profiles to compare photos with the man in front of them.
"Mr. Carter!" Lucas Jensen rushed over, trying to smile brightly. "We met six years ago, remember? When your group bought that land project in the suburbs?"
"Hm," the man nodded without much interest. He didn't remember Lucas at all.
"Secretary Edward?" Mr. Carter said next, noticing the man seated at the head table.
Edward, who was stunned into silence until now, nodded stiffly.
Then Carter led the young man beside him—Ryan Carter—toward Aeron.
"Mr. Jensen, this junior of mine acted disrespectfully. I hope you won't hold it against him."
His tone was humble, even deferential.
"It's nothing." Aeron gave Ryan a glance, remembering their awkward coffee shop interaction, then shook his head calmly.
"How did you find us here?" Aeron asked.
"I'd originally planned to bring Ryan to visit your home today. Then I heard your family was hosting a banquet here at Starshine, so we came straight over."
Aeron nodded in understanding. His father's family dinner wasn't a secret—most neighbors were aware of it.
"Please accept this small gift, in celebration of your evolution."
Mr. Carter respectfully handed over a sealed envelope.
He wasn't showing respect simply because Aeron had become an evolver. Plenty of corporations—including his—employed evolvers.
What truly alarmed him was that even trying to search Aeron's data triggered a warning from the Goddess of Wisdom. That kind of protection meant only one thing: Aeron wasn't ordinary.
"Alright." Aeron took the envelope but remained casual.
What happened at the café that day hadn't even crossed his mind since.
But for those watching? The impact was seismic.
Seeing a billionaire founder personally offer a gift to Aeron left many of the guests in stunned silence.
Some even wondered if Mr. Carter had gotten the wrong "Aeron Jensen."
But as they witnessed the man speaking directly with Aeron—and Aeron responding naturally—it became clear:
There was no mistake.
Lucas Jensen's face turned pale.
Moments ago, he'd tried to offer Aeron a 20,000-credit job at his company, acting like a generous uncle.
Now? A corporate giant was standing before Aeron like a junior.
Meanwhile, Edward sat quietly, processing what he was seeing.
To most of the room, Carter was a titan.
To Edward—used to political offices and departmental power—he was just a businessman.
But the way even a man like Carter spoke to Aeron… with such care…
It said everything.
Knock, knock, knock.
Another knock at the door.
"Excuse me, is this Mr. Aeron Jensen's room?" a firm voice asked.
Another visitor?
Now no one dared take things lightly. Mark Jensen personally got up and opened the door.
A tall, serious-looking man in military uniform stepped inside, followed by a young man around the same age as Ryan—David Huo.
"Who's this guy?" someone whispered. "He doesn't show up in the database."
Some guests exhaled in relief. "Maybe this one's not as important as the last."
But then Edward stood up. His face drained of color.
"Colonel Huo?!"
Gasps broke across the room.
A colonel?!
Military information wasn't public. Without clearance, few would recognize him—but Edward had access. He'd seen the files.
"Secretary Edward," Colonel Huo nodded politely.
Then he stepped aside.
And another man entered—calmly, confidently.
"President Liao?" Edward whispered, almost stumbling backward.
President Liao, head of the Dongning Evolvers Association.
A true second-level citizen. A giant.
One of the five most powerful people in Dongning City.
Even Edward's superior—the director—would bow and offer tea when meeting President Liao.
And now—he was here, too?
All for Aeron?
The realization crashed through Edward's mind like thunder:
Aeron Jens
en wasn't just an evolver.
He was someone protected by both military and political powers… and the Goddess of Wisdom herself.
(End of Chapter)
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