In Max's previous life, it wasn't as if he hadn't experienced luxury. Starting from the bottom, he had managed to build one of the largest gangs in the city. With that success ca certain privileges and riches, placing him among the wealthiest n he knew. Yet, now standing in front of the Stern family mansion, he felt utterly insignificant in comparison.
His jaw nearly dropped as he gazed at the sprawling estate, which stretched endlessly to his left and right. The grandeur before him was unlike anything he'd ever witnessed. This was genuine, mind-boggling wealth, on a level he hadn't imagined was even possible.
"Rember what I told you," Aron said firmly, watching Max closely.
"Right," Max replied distractedly, moving to open the enormous mansion door.
Instantly, Aron reached out and tightly grabbed Max's wrist, stopping him in his tracks.
'What the heck? That was quick, and his grip is unbelievably strong!' Max thought, masking the pain and surprise behind a strained smile.
"What are you doing?" Max slowly asked through gritted teeth.
"I should be asking you that," Aron whispered harshly. "Did I not instruct you to be on your absolute best behavior?"
Confusion clouded Max's mind as he wondered what he'd done wrong. Aron looked angry, almost as if he might strike Max.
"You're a mber of the Stern Family," Aron explained quietly but fiercely. "Do you think a Stern family mber would open doors themselves? If anyone sees you behaving so casually, they'll exploit it to their advantage." Aron paused, his voice lowering to a regretful mumble, "Just like they did before..."
Max caught the quiet remark clearly and understood there was deep history behind it.
'Damn, these rich people are insane. They can't even open their own doors? This is an entirely different world,' Max thought bitterly, stepping aside to allow Aron to lead.
With composure, Aron smoothly pushed open the grand doors, revealing an enormous hallway. Majestic staircases spiraled elegantly upward on both sides, leading to the second floor. Expensive paintings lined the walls, each worth more than several houses. Max couldn't help but marvel at the absurdity of the lavish decorations.
'I wonder how much blood would've spilled back ho just to possess one of these paintings. Here, they're casually displayed everywhere,' Max reflected grimly.
As they entered, Max quickly noticed nurous suited guards positioned strategically throughout the estate. Security was clearly a top priority, making the mansion appear nearly impregnable—even to his forr White Tiger gang. He doubted any group could breach these grounds easily.
Through large windows, Max observed nurous luxury vehicles arriving via another entrance. Behind the mansion, decorations and tables were set up in the vast gardens, clearly prepared for so grand celebration. Yet Aron guided him toward the mansion's front, away from the arriving guests.
Eventually, Aron opened another set of ornate doors, revealing an extravagant reception room beneath an enormous chandelier. The opulence of the space was staggering, with plush couches, exquisite furniture, and tasteful decor fit for royalty. Max's attention quickly shifted from the room to its occupants. All the Stern family heirs ntioned earlier were gathered here, seemingly awaiting his arrival.
"Looks like you managed to arrive on ti. Impressive," remarked a woman seated prominently across the room. Pearls adorned her neck, her blonde hair styled ticulously, though clearly enhanced by costic procedures. Her patronizing tone imdiately identified her as Aunt Karen.
Ignoring the insult, Max silently moved towards his cousins seated nearby, intending to blend with the younger crowd. However, a sharp voice halted his steps abruptly.
"Max, where do you think you're going?" The voice belonged to a stern woman, Masha Stern, the family's oldest aunt. Her short grey hair frad a severe expression behind round glasses, and she wore nurous heavy rings.
"Do you have no manners? You must greet each elder properly. Just because your parents are gone doesn't an you're free to act uncivilized," she sneered cruelly.
Instantly, Max's heart raced, and anger surged within him. He clutched his chest montarily, stunned by his physical reaction.
'What's happening? Is this body reacting instinctively to her insults about his parents?' Max wondered furiously.
Though they weren't his own parents, the cruelty resonated deeply. Swallowing his pride, Max turned slowly, approaching Masha and bowing his head respectfully.
"It's an honor to be here," Max said stiffly, internally cringing. 'If my old gang saw bowing to these rich snobs, they'd never stop laughing.'
Max proceeded thodically, bowing to each elder—Dave, Randy, and finally Karen, who smirked cruelly.
"Perhaps one day, when you've developed half a brain, you'll understand half of what we discuss. You hardly deserve our family na," Karen mocked openly.
Max kept silent, biting his tongue as he walked away toward his cousins.
'Just how much did this poor kid suffer from his family's insults? His life must have been awful,' Max thought sympathetically.
Reaching the younger group, Max noticed they glanced briefly before resuming their own conversations, blatantly ignoring him. He slumped onto a nearby sofa, relieved to escape direct ridicule. Aron stood silently behind him, observing everything carefully.
As Max listened in, their conversations quickly grated on his nerves. They spoke only of their personal achievents and lavish expenditures, competing for attention.
Eventually, Chad, a pompous-looking cousin with short dyed grey hair and sunglasses indoors, shook his empty wine glass exaggeratedly.
"Hey, Maxxy!" Chad called condescendingly. "Fetch us so wine from the kitchen. You're good at tasks like that, right?"
Max's eyes narrowed dangerously. 'Maxxy? Who does this brat think he's talking to?'
He was about to respond harshly when Aron quickly placed firm hands on his shoulders.
"I'll fetch it," Aron stated calmly, attempting to defuse the situation. As he stepped forward, another cousin spoke sharply.
"Did you not hear Chad, Aron?" Donto, muscular and intimidating, stared fiercely at Max.
Donto was muscular and over six foot tall. He was intimidating to say the least. It was no wonder he was considered the athletic mber of the family. "Chad asked Max to get us the wine, not you. Are you going to disobey an order from the Stern family? If a dog is no longer loyal, then they deserve to beco nothing but a stray."
Imdiately hearing these words Max shot up from his seat, both of his hands balled up into fists.
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