In the middle of the cocktail party, Pra Walton stood tall in a black lace evening gown, exuding elegance. She held a glass of martini in one hand, though her gaze was unfocused. Many young elites who had intended to approach her hesitated at the sight. After all, in their circles, who didn't know that Pra Walton was notoriously temperamental?
"Pra, congratulations…"
But there were always exceptions. A middle-aged man with brown hair approached her, wearing a polite smile.
"Uncle Jim?" Pra's eyes narrowed at the sight of him, her tone laced with distaste.
"Haha, that expression of yours isn't very welcoming," Jim Walton said with a chuckle. "I've heard the news. After tonight, you'll be Dong Minglun's woman. I must admit, your family played this hand rather cleverly. But do you really think this is enough to save Sam's Club?"
His smile remained, but his voice lowered to a cold murmur as he stepped closer. Pra's face darkened further.
"This is a family matter, Uncle Jim. I don't think you have any need to meddle," she said, taking a deep breath to steady herself.
Jim Walton simply smiled again, though this time with a sneer of condescension. What he desired, he never let slip through his fingers so easily.
"Pra, you're here!"
Just as he was about to retort, a voice called out from behind.
Jim turned to see a tall East Asian man standing there with a warm smile. It was clear the man knew Pra, but Jim couldn't quite place him. When he glanced back at Pra, he noticed her stunned expression—she looked utterly shocked.
"Hello, young man. Are you a friend of Pra's?" Jim asked, noting the recognition on her face. She clearly hadn't expected this man to appear, yet she knew him. Given his confident demeanor and formal attire, he clearly hadn't snuck in. Jim Walton, ranked tenth on Forbes' list of the world's richest people, wasn't easily fooled—he quickly deduced the man must be someone significant.
"Yes, I'm Pra's friend. And you are…?" Jiang Hai responded, eyeing the middle-aged man.
"I'm her uncle. Jim Walton," he replied, extending his hand.
Jiang Hai was momentarily taken aback. This was Jim Walton? The man worth over 30 billion dollars? He looked so... ordinary. Still, the old saying held true—never strike a smiling man. Despite knowing the man might be his future adversary, Jiang Hai shook his hand politely.
"Well, I'll leave you young people to talk," Jim said smoothly, smiling before turning to mingle with the other guests.
Once he left, Pra quickly stepped forward and grabbed Jiang Hai's hand, her voice hushed but trembling with emotion.
"Why are you here?" she asked, struggling to suppress the torrent of feelings rising in her chest.
She had been conflicted for days. The thought of marrying another man, any man—let alone someone like Dong Minglun—disgusted her to the core. But she had been prepared to make the sacrifice. Even if it meant giving up control of Sam's Club, she was ready to walk away. She would not submit.
And now, Jiang Hai had appeared. His sudden presence steadied her nerves, giving her a strength she hadn't realized she still possessed.
But then again—what could he really do against the giants in this room?
Still, he was here. He was with her. That alone made all the difference.
Jiang Hai smiled gently. He reached out and stroked her head, then pulled her into a quiet embrace. At first, she stiffened in surprise. Then she melted into him, quietly leaning her head against his shoulder and wrapping her arms around his waist.
Unbeknownst to her, the room froze.
Wine glasses nearly slipped from hands. Conversations halted. Everyone stared.
Pra Walton? The cold, untouchable heiress of the Walton family? The same woman who had shot down suitors with a single glance?
She was now leaning against a man's chest like a docile bird?
No one could believe their eyes. But the scene was right in front of them—undeniable.
A few who had been envious of Dong Minglun's engagement prospects now snickered privately. Looks like the crown prince just got cuckolded.
"Don't worry. I'll take care of this," Jiang Hai whispered in her ear, lifting her chin and kissing her lightly on the cheek.
Pra looked up at him and nodded, her eyes shining with new resolve. Americans were more open with their emotions—if Jiang Hai had kissed her on the lips in front of everyone, she might not have even blushed. But more importantly, with Jiang Hai by her side, she finally felt strong enough to confront the Walton family.
"What the hell is going on?! Let go of her!" a voice bellowed.
They turned to see two men making their way through the crowd. The one in front was in his forties, rotund and red-faced with fury—Dong Minglun. Behind him was a gaunt older man with slicked-back white hair and brown spectacles, his expression unreadable.
The crowd instinctively parted, murmuring with anticipation. A confrontation was coming.
"You bastard! Who the hell are you? How did you even get in here? Security! Where is security?!" Dong Minglun roared, his voice shaking with rage. Jiang Hai's very presence felt like a public slap in the face.
"This is a Walton family event! You have no right—"
"Me?" Jiang Hai cut in calmly. "You invited me. I'm Jiang Hai, owner of Tenglong Manor. And you are?"
The security guards nearby hesitated but didn't act. Dong Minglun, despite his position as the current president of Walmart, had no authority to kick out guests—especially not ones tied to the Walton family.
Jiang Hai smiled faintly as the guards paused.
When he mentioned Tenglong Manor, the expressions around the room shifted again.
Jiang Hai... owner of Tenglong Manor?
Even if they didn't know the name Jiang Hai, they knew Tenglong beef. In high society, it was legendary.
Many had tried to partner with Jiang Hai, all in vain.
He rarely showed up at events. The first time, he was unknown. The second, he was overseas. This was only his third appearance—and now, everyone understood his connection to Pra.
"Tenglong Manor… So you're a guest. Then please follow the rules," Dong Minglun muttered, visibly shaken.
He knew full well the impact of Jiang Hai's beef. In just six months, Sam's Club had made $130 million in direct profit thanks to it—possibly more when factoring in cross-sales. That beef wasn't just a product; it was a gold mine. The board knew it, too. He couldn't afford to offend this man.
"There's no rule being broken," Jiang Hai said coolly, wrapping his arm around Pra's shoulder. "Pra is my girlfriend. There's nothing improper about hugging my girlfriend."
Gasps rippled through the crowd again.
"You're just here to cause trouble," Dong Minglun growled, teeth clenched.
"Think what you want," Jiang Hai said. "But I'm here because I heard someone's been bullying my girlfriend. I only have one thing to say—"
He raised his hand and pointed at the crowd.
"My beef doesn't belong to Walmart. It doesn't belong to Sam's Club. It belongs to Pra Walton. If she doesn't control Sam's Club, then you don't get my product. We never signed a long-term supply contract. I just turned down an offer from the royal family of Dubai—just yesterday. And I can pick up that deal again anytime. The market belongs to me now."
Gasps gave way to silence. No one had expected such a bold declaration.
To threaten the Walton family so openly?
Jiang Hai didn't care who he was speaking to. But now, others began to wonder: if the Walton family pushed him away… would they get a chance to work with Tenglong?
And the Dubai royal family—was he bluffing? Maybe. Maybe not.
Either way, the message was clear: Jiang Hai had power.
All eyes turned toward the Walton family and Dong Minglun.
The ball was in their court.
Meanwhile, Pra clung to Jiang Hai's waist, her head lowered. The proud heiress didn't look like a fierce executive anymore—just a woman who finally felt safe.
She knew Jiang Hai's support wouldn't last forever. She didn't even know if they had a future.
But tonight… tonight he stood beside her, and that made everything okay.
Maybe her time with Jiang Hai… wasn't such a bad thing after all.
(To be continued…)