Although Marcia had just spoken kindly, the moment Queenie turned her head, Marcia shot John a sharp glare. The message was clear: Behave yourself at dinner!
John merely shrugged, utterly indifferent.
Justin, seated beside Nick and his wife, could barely contain his excitement. Before they could formally introduce him, he stood up and extended his hand toward Queenie.
"Nice to meet you, Queenie. I'm Justin Bush," he said smoothly, his voice warm and his smile refined.
Mr. Yeats and Marcia exchanged pleased glances. From their perspective, this was exactly what a man should do—take initiative, be confident, and make a good impression.
But Queenie didn't look impressed.
She stared at Justin's outstretched hand for a moment before responding flatly, "I'm not that familiar with you. You should call me Queenie Yeats."
The way Justin had casually addressed her as Queenie made her skin crawl. It was far too intimate for someone she'd just met, and it left her with a wave of goosebumps. Her face showed no courtesy—only discomfort.
"Queenie, you—" Nick began, clearly flustered by her bluntness.
Justin, however, didn't seem the least bit upset. With a disarming smile, he turned to Queenie's parents and said graciously, "Mr. and Mrs. Yeats, it's completely understandable. We just met. I think it shows that she's a proper and principled woman."
His response was so composed, so considerate—it only made the Yeatses more impressed with him.
What a gentleman, Marcia thought. Even when disrespected, he still defends her. Where else can we find such a good man?
The more they looked at Justin, the more they liked him. They were convinced that as long as Queenie spent more time with him, she'd eventually fall for his charm.
Turning to John, Justin said, "You're John, right? Pleasure to meet you."
He took a step forward, still wearing that perfect, diplomatic smile, and extended his hand once more—this time to John.
Justin wasn't naïve. He knew full well that John's relationship with Queenie was anything but ordinary. But in order to show he was a bigger man, he took the initiative anyway.
John looked at the offered hand, then at Justin's smile, and replied calmly, "How nice do you think it is?"
Justin's smile faltered.
He hadn't expected such a blunt response. The corners of his lips twitched as he tried to maintain composure. Is this guy trying to embarrass me? he thought bitterly.
Trying to reassert control, Justin unconsciously tightened his grip during the handshake. Back when he was studying in Australia, he had trained in Taekwondo for two years. His strength was above average, and he figured he could use this handshake to show John who was in charge—to deliver a subtle but decisive head-on blow.
But John's expression didn't budge. His eyes were calm, almost amused.
Justin, growing more annoyed, tightened his grip further, exerting all his strength, expecting to see John wince in pain.
Instead, he got something else entirely.
A sudden, terrifying force surged from John's hand and nearly crushed his bones. Pain shot up Justin's arm like wildfire.
"Ah! Let go of me!"
Justin gasped, trying to suppress a scream but failing miserably. His face twisted in pain.
Nick's expression darkened. "What do you think you're doing, boy? Let him go!"
Marcia was already glaring daggers at John.
Neither of them had seen the subtle power play. All they saw was Justin crying out, as if John had attacked him unprovoked.
John, of course, wasn't about to explain. He simply smirked and let go of Justin's hand.
For Queenie's sake, he thought. Otherwise, I'd have broken your wrist.
This was just a warning. A reminder to Justin that he was not someone to be trifled with.
Marcia quickly grabbed Justin's hand, rubbing his reddened palm with concern. She glared at John with undisguised resentment.
"Justin was just trying to be friendly. It's fine if you don't appreciate it—but why crush his hand like that? How barbaric," she snapped.
She restrained herself from saying more. The last thing she wanted was for her daughter to storm out mid-dinner.
Had this been any other occasion, she would have hurled labels like ill-bred or vulgar at John without hesitation.
Luckily for her, she held back. Because if she had dared to go further, John might've responded with something far less restrained—perhaps even a slap or two, regardless of her being Queenie's mother.
"It's fine... it's really fine..." Justin said through gritted teeth, trying to save face. "I won't be bothered by someone so... uncultured."
He was furious, but he forced a smile, desperate to maintain the image of a magnanimous gentleman.
To Nick and Marcia, he looked all the more admirable—gracious even when humiliated.
But Queenie saw right through it.
Hypocrite, she thought with a cold glance.
Soon, the food was served, and the earlier tension was temporarily forgotten. The conversation turned to small talk—mostly Marcia probing with polite questions, and Justin answering enthusiastically.
"Justin, you studied in Australia, right? What was your major?" Marcia asked with interest.
Justin straightened up and said proudly, "I earned a double master's in Economics and Management."
"Double master's? That's incredible!" she exclaimed.
"So you're here to take over your father's company?" Nick followed up.
"More or less," Justin nodded. "My father has already entrusted me with several major projects from one of the branch offices. I'm confident I can handle them well."
"Well done! There aren't many talented young men like you in New York. When our son graduates from university, we'll have to count on you to look after him."
Nick and Marcia continued to praise him, all while sneaking glances at Queenie, hoping to gauge her reaction.
Clearly, this whole conversation was staged to showcase Justin's many "merits" in front of her.
They were convinced Queenie would finally be swayed.
But instead—
"John, the sweet and sour spareribs are so good here. You've got to try one."
Queenie picked up a rib with her chopsticks and placed it on John's plate, watching as he took a bite. She didn't even look at Justin or acknowledge anything her parents had just said.
The three adults froze.
Everything they said… all that praise… was completely ignored.
Justin's expression twitched. He forced another stiff smile.
"I—"
John casually picked up a napkin and wiped his mouth.
Then, without shame or apology, he said bluntly, "I didn't go to school."