The first heir novel (Master Yu Who Smokes)
Chapter 425

Nick rapidly approached Philip, visibly delighted as he said, "You're here too, Mr. Clarke! What a pleasure it is to see you here."

Philip was talking to Wynn. When he heard Nick's voice, he raised his head and found that he did not know the man in front of him. "And you are?"

"Oh, you wouldn't remember little old me. I'm in charge of property matters in these parts, my name is Nick Cage. The ruckus my son Mickey caused at Longford today was my fault, I didn't raise him well enough. I hope you don't mind, Mr. Clarke."

Nick heaped on the flattery, his words filled with adulation.

Philip finally remembered who he was. He said with a smile, "Good to see you too, Director Cage."

Nick wanted to talk to Philip more and get closer to him, but Mont and the others were also approaching them now, looking far from pleased.

Next to Philip, Wynn was looking at him suspiciously.

So Philip even knew the higher-ups in the property circle?

"Hey, do you know Nick Cage?"

Wynn tugged at Philip's hand and looked at him dubiously.

Philip thought it over and nodded. "I guess I do. I'll tell you more later."

Just then, a deep voice behind him demanded,

"What are you doing, Philip? Why aren't you greeting Mr. Cage properly?"

Mont's expression was cold now. Philip's nonchalant look was inevitably ticking him off.

This man was their most important guest for the night. He was a director in the Land Registry, so if anything went awry now, Mont's plans to enter the Riverdale property market would go up in smoke! That was why everything had to go smoothly!

It was no wonder that he was somewhat angry at Philip now.

"See, see? That's what you get for indulging your broke relatives. What will you do if he angers Nick Cage?"

Mony's wife, Fern, tore down the last vestiges of Mont's half-hearted politeness.

"That's right, Dad. Look at Philip's useless face. Peasants like him in the family will eventually cause the downfall of us all."

Cindi took her mother's side as well.

She never thought highly of Philip in the first place, and she used to be quite envious of Wynn too, so of course she would not even pretend to like them.

The crowd approached Philip, and Mont quietly told him off, his expression cold. "Hurry up and apologize to Mr. Cage!"

Philip was baffled. What had he done wrong?

He looked at Nick and saw that the latter was unbelievably flustered.

Why were they asking Mr. Clarke to apologize to him?

That was no laughing matter!

If Mr. Clarke felt insulted and decided to take Nick down a peg, his entire family might collapse under the weight of that offense! That was why Nick hastily barked, "Mont Renner! How dare you talk to Mr. Clarke like that! Hurry up and apologize to him!" "Mr. Clarke?"

Mont was taken aback. Did Nick respect Philip that much?

That made no sense!

Nick was one of the leaders here at Riverdale, while Philip was just his relative's worthless son-in-law who lived off his wife's wage! What was happening here?

Mont was not the only one confused. His wife, daughter, and all his friends were stunned as well.

"Are you pulling my leg, Mr. Cage? Philip is just my relative's worthless son-in-law. How would you know him, sir?"

Mont asked, voicing his doubts.

"Never judge a book by its cover. Someone like you has no right to pass judgment on someone like Mr. Clarke here!" Fury flashed across Nick's face. He wanted to give Mont a tongue-lashing right now!

Preposterous!

How could Mont say that about Mr. Clarke to his face?!

Mont was perplexed too. He could clearly see that Nick truly respected Philip. It was not a joke at all.

What was going on here?

Who was Philip?

Was he not just the Johnstons' useless son-in-law?

Mont turned around and glanced at Martha and Charles, who looked equally clueless. Charles recovered slightly quicker because he knew Nick, and he hastily went to shake Nick's hand. "Mr. Cage! I didn't expect you to be the honored guest tonight!"

Nick looked at Charles suspiciously as the latter tried to suck up to him. "And who are you?"

"I'm Philip's father-in-law, Charles Johnston. I used to be the head of some section."

The dying embers of Charles' ambition flared up again in his heart.

He never expected Philip to know Nick Cage. This was huge news.

Charles' career had always been rocky. Could this be his big day?

"Oh, nice to meet you! I see, so you're Mr. Clarke's father-in-law."

Nick hurriedly bowed and shook Charles' hand, all the wrinkles on his face showing as he smiled. "Section Head Johnston, yes? You have a great son-in-law, magnificent."

Charles was ecstatic too. Was Nick Cage flattering him now?

He gave Philip a doubtful look and saw that the latter was smiling calmly.

Charles knew it, he was right all along. Philip had indeed changed, becoming more mysterious.

No, no, he really had to go back and drill this into his mad wife's head. They must never ever get on Philip's bad side again.

If the punk knew someone like Nick Cage, he must certainly be a force to be reckoned with.

Martha's heart was pounding as well. She knew who Nick was, of course. She understood everything when she saw how her husband was treating the man.

However, Nick Cage was now flattering Charles in return, all because of Philip.

What was going on here?

Was Philip not a worthless wretch?