Chapter 8

"Rumble, rumble..."

The wheels of the carriage turned round and round on the road, emitting a rhythmic mechanical sound, just like the one John had heard when he arrived in New York, which was driving him almost mad!

Oh God!

For the first time after his rebirth, John Hunterlar sincerely prayed to the faith of the Westerners: "Have mercy, let this damned journey end!"

Just a few days ago, when old Hunterlar announced at the dinner table that he would personally take him to West Orange, New Jersey, to visit Thomas Edison's new invention, the excited John, who had finally gotten his wish, never imagined that the old man would choose a carriage, a mode of transportation so slow it made his scalp tingle! So, when he happily set out early this morning and saw the coachman Henry and this large carriage, John Hunterlar almost broke down...

At this moment, the old Hunterlar, who had been sitting calmly beside him as if he were on a sofa at home, suddenly tapped the floor of the carriage with his cane and said in a deep voice, "It is very necessary for a gentleman to maintain his dignity while riding in a carriage, John."

"Yes, sir."

After hearing his grandfather's criticism, John took a deep breath and reluctantly straightened his slumped body, barely maintaining a proper posture. At this moment, he suddenly realized that although his relationship with this stubborn and rigid grandfather might become more harmonious in the future, they would probably never truly communicate.

"Henry, how much further?"

As if he had heard John's sigh, old Hunterlar shook his beard and called out loudly.

Straightening his body, he asked loudly.

"Half an hour at most, sir."

Henry, who was driving the carriage, responded loudly.

Another half an hour?

Hearing this time frame, John closed his eyes in despair. At this moment, he really envied the butler, for Hans had left early by train to West Orange to ensure that the two Hunterlars could enjoy the most attentive service and secure rooms befitting their status in the hotel...

...

"Sir, I am very sorry."

Facing the old Hunterlar as he got off the carriage, Hans, who had been waiting for a long time, said apologetically, "The best suite at the Pine Needle Hotel has already been booked. You and young Hunterlar will have to stay in a slightly lower-grade room."

"Oh? This small place has many people staying in hotels?"

Old Hunterlar was slightly surprised and asked.

Hans shook his head with a bitter smile, "Not usually, but because Mr. Edison's electric light demonstration starts tonight, so..."

Old Hunterlar looked around and indeed saw a bustling crowd, quite different from his impression of West Orange. It seemed that most of the people were attracted by Edison's announcement. Frowning, old Hunterlar adjusted his top hat and said somewhat displeased, "Alright, if that's the case, we'll make do for two nights."

Hearing this, Hans finally breathed a long sigh of relief. He knew very well how picky Mr. Hunterlar was and had been worried that this matter would cause his dissatisfaction. Now it seemed the outcome was not bad.

Relaxing, Hans looked behind old Hunterlar and asked curiously, "Sir, are you not feeling well?"

Standing behind old Hunterlar, John, who was holding the carriage, had no trace of color on his face. Hearing Hans' greeting, he weakly waved his hand and said, "No, it's just that the carriage ride was a bit long, and I'm a bit tired."

After saying this, John glanced at his grandfather and asked, "Mr. Alber, can we have lunch now?"

Unlike old Hunterlar, John was in the prime of his growth and had a voracious appetite. After sitting in the carriage all morning, he was already starving.

"Of course, I've already reserved a table in the restaurant."

Hans, who had three sons, understood John's feelings and quickly led the two to the restaurant, where the waiter guided them to their reserved seats.

"Hey? Mr. Hunterlar?"

Just as the two had sat down and John was eager to order two steaks to satisfy his hunger, a surprised voice came from the side.

Old Hunterlar turned around, his face also showing surprise, and quickly stood up, greeting the other person with apparent delight, "Good afternoon, dear Mrs. Stone."

Seeing that the person was old Hunterlar's acquaintance, John quickly stood up and politely looked at the other person.

The person was a blonde woman in her forties, wearing a fashionable side hat, with a very mature and full figure that made her tight corseted dress strain. Her chest, with its prominent and plump curves, was quite eye-catching. However, in John's eyes, these were not important. No matter how good a woman's figure was in this era, it lost all appeal under the long dresses that did not meet his aesthetic standards. What surprised John was her face, which was oval, fair, and clean, radiating a healthy glow. This was rare among the white women he had seen since his rebirth, especially since Mrs. Stone looked at least forty years old!

In short, she was a very beautiful woman.

So without old Hunterlar's reminder, John knew that this woman was not simple. Unless she was one in a million naturally beautiful, maintaining such good looks in an era without cosmetics required a lot of dollars and more leisure time, which ordinary families could not afford. Moreover, Mrs. Stone's composed and elegant demeanor clearly showed that she had been raised with money and tradition!

"Are you also here to see Mr. Edison's new invention?"

Mrs. Stone seemed somewhat surprised and said with a smile, "This is quite unexpected. I thought a traditional gentleman like you would not be interested in such new things!"

The two seemed quite familiar, and old Hunterlar smiled and said, "I'm just not interested in certain new things, but something as great as the electric light is definitely worth seeing... By the way, is Mr. Stone here?"

"No, he's been busy these past two days, so I brought Emma out for a change of scenery."

Mrs. Stone shook her head and then her gaze naturally turned to John standing beside them. Her eyes lit up, and she asked with a smile, "Mr. Hunterlar, won't you introduce me to this young and handsome gentleman?"

If judged by appearance alone, John was quite attractive to women. He was tall and well-built, and the clothes made by Smith's overtime work made him look very spirited. The mix of youthful innocence and mature mentality gave his already well-defined handsome face an unusual charm, which made Mrs. Stone's eyes sparkle with admiration.

"John, this is Mrs. Stone, whose husband is my most loyal business partner."

After a slight hesitation, old Hunterlar introduced Mrs. Stone to John and then continued, "Mrs. Stone, this is my grandson, John Hunterlar, who just returned from the Far East a few days ago."

"Grandson?"

Upon hearing this word, Mrs. Stone's smile instantly froze!

"Hello, Mrs. Stone."

"Hello, Mr. Hunterlar."

After John's respectful greeting, the strict etiquette training he had received made Mrs. Stone quickly return to normal, bowing lightly. However, after the formalities, the look in Mrs. Stone's eyes suddenly became startlingly intense! If someone familiar with her had been present, they would have immediately recognized that her gossip fire was burning fiercely!

Mrs. Stone's husband had been working with old Hunterlar for over a decade, so she naturally knew that the old man had a daughter who had suddenly disappeared, and old Hunterlar never talked about this daughter. Now, the sudden appearance of a grandson naturally piqued the curiosity of the always inquisitive Mrs. Stone.

However, the old and cunning old Hunterlar clearly did not want to give her a chance to ask questions. He smiled and asked gently, "Mrs. Stone, I heard you said that the lovely Miss Emma is also here. Where is she now?"

"Oh, she's changing clothes in the room and will be here soon."

Mrs. Stone answered old Hunterlar's question casually while constantly glancing at John.

"Then, if you don't mind, would you like to join us for lunch with Miss Emma?"

Although he was somewhat reluctant and knew that Mrs. Stone was a very gossipy woman, old Hunterlar would never be impolite to his business partner's wife over such a matter. He invited her very gentlemanly.

"Of course, thank you very much!"

Without any reserve, Mrs. Stone almost eagerly accepted old Hunterlar's invitation.

Hans had reserved a large table, so after a brief communication with the restaurant waiter, Mrs. Stone sat opposite old Hunterlar. After they sat down, they each ordered their lunch, and Mrs. Stone also ordered one for her daughter Emma, while John's order was almost equivalent to the total of the three of them.

After ordering lunch, just as Mrs. Stone was about to speak to John with a smile, another surprised voice came from the side, "Mom?"

The voice was very pleasant, like a newly hatched lark, soft and delicate, making one feel as refreshed as drinking a glass of iced water on a hot summer day!

Hearing this voice, the three of them couldn't help but look in the same direction.

Seeing the person, John Hunterlar was slightly taken aback, and his usually calm eyes involuntarily flashed with a look of amazement!