The real life of an American police officer: Winning over others with virtue

Chapter 224 Birthday
Eric agreed to go through the motions, but only wanted to go through the motions, and then asked Bill to take him to the train station on the way.

What Eric didn't expect was that the gift Bill gave to his daughter, who was about to turn seventeen, would be so simple.

A Toyota Corolla was moving slowly. Eric sat in the passenger seat, glanced back at the small gift box that he had clearly wrapped, and hesitated as he looked at the rather exaggerated decorations on the wrapping paper.

Are you sure you want to send this?

Although he didn't quite understand, he knew that young girls probably wouldn't like this seemingly ordinary gift.

You have to understand that seventeen years old is not young anymore. You're not a child anymore, where you would like and be surprised by any gift.

Moreover, it's said that Bill's ex-wife remarried a wealthy man, which must have created a huge sense of disparity for him.

Simply put, Bill will probably get completely humiliated.

"Hmm," Bill asked, gripping the steering wheel.

"Is something wrong?"

"No."

Eric looked away and turned to Bill, keenly catching a hint of tension and anticipation deep in his eyes, like an ordinary father who had carefully prepared a surprise and was afraid that his daughter would be dissatisfied.

What's inside the box?

“Uh, a recording sound card and a condenser microphone set,” Bill replied, a smile spreading across his face.

Eric paused for a moment, "That's it?"

“Jinmi loved to sing when she was little, and she wanted to be a singer.” A smile appeared on Bill’s face.

Eric's cheek twitched, if Bill's ex-wife's current husband were a rich man.

That house will definitely have a karaoke area, and the equipment will be top-notch.

But seeing Bill's expression, Eric chose to keep quiet so as not to disturb Bill's good mood.

"Ok."

Eric nodded, seeing shop after shop appearing along the street, and continued.

"Bill, could you stop up ahead for a moment?"

Bill responded with a "Hmm?"

“I can’t possibly come empty-handed, can I?” Eric laughed.

He only realized what had happened last night afterward.

Perhaps Bill already knew about the Anley Cafe, which is why this series of introductions came about.

It is not gentlemanly to fail to repay kindness, nor is it human to fail to avenge wrongs.

Bill looked at Eric, seeing his serious expression, and after a second of silence, said, "Don't spend too much, Eric."

“It’s nothing,” Eric said, getting out of the car after Bill parked it and deliberately walking towards the corner, disappearing from Bill’s sight.

Judging from this bustling area alone, Bill's ex-wife's current husband must also be a wealthy man.

Once Eric was sure Bill couldn't see him, he randomly went into a shop, which turned out to be a Cartier boutique.

Bright spotlights fell precisely on every piece of jewelry and watch in the display case. Eric walked straight to the watch section, his gaze sweeping over the dazzling displays.

Too expensive is not suitable, and too cheap is not good either.

My gaze eventually fell on a relatively simple corner.

"Welcome, sir." A female staff member in a perfectly tailored black suit approached silently, her smile professional but not overly eager, her gaze unconsciously sweeping over Eric's handsome face.

Although Eric's clothes were very ordinary, his face and his aura alone made him someone to be reckoned with.

"How can I help you?"

Eric cut to the chase: “I need a women’s watch for everyday wear, a Tank Must in stainless steel.”

-

Not long after, Eric came out carrying a tote bag, and then, under Bill's helpless gaze, got into the passenger seat.

"How much?" Bill asked.

Eric placed the bag on the back seat and said calmly, "It's not much, it's nothing to me anyway, so Bill, you don't have to worry about it."

"Okay." Bill nodded after a moment of silence and started the car.

— Finally, the car drove through a street lined with tree-lined streets and mansions, and stopped in front of a modern mansion with large floor-to-ceiling windows.

The layout of the front yard, combined with the mansion inside, makes it look exactly like an estate.

The parking lot outside was filled with luxury cars, and Bill's Toyota Corolla stood out starkly against the backdrop of the crowd.

Music and laughter could be faintly heard coming from inside the mansion.

“I feel like I shouldn’t have come?” Eric said. To be honest, he thought it was just a regular birthday party and he would leave after a short while.

Not only did Eric not expect it, but Bill also didn't expect Kimmy's stepfather to go to such lengths.

This isn't a coming-of-age ceremony for someone who turns sixteen.

Bill frowned instinctively; this must have been his ex-wife's idea.

He looked at Eric with an apologetic gaze: "Sorry, Eric, I thought..."

Eric calmly replied, "It's alright. Since we're already here, we should at least give the gift out."

With things having come to this, Bill could only nod, and he and Eric got out of the car, each picking up their gifts and walking towards the front yard of the mansion.

The moment you step inside, you're hit by a huge wave of noise and a cacophony of smells—fragrance, food, alcohol, and more.

The melodious music, the boisterous voices, and the clinking of glasses instantly overwhelmed their hearing.

Many people came to the birthday party.

Bill and Eric exchanged a glance, then took the lead, saying, "Follow me, let's look inside."

Eric nodded and could only follow Bill inside. To be honest, he was starting to regret coming.

As the two walked deeper into the area, Bill soon spotted Kimmy, surrounded by her friends. She was wearing a beautiful party dress, radiating youthful energy and beaming with smiles.

“She’s there!” Bill’s voice rose instantly.

Eric looked in the direction he indicated, raising an eyebrow slightly.

Bill's daughter may not be the prettiest, but she is incredibly youthful.

Before the two could walk over, security personnel standing guard nearby blocked their way.

"Wait, sir, the parents' meeting is up ahead."

Bill frowned: "I am Kimmy's father."

The security guard paused for a moment: "Excuse me, I work for her father."

Bill continued, "I am her biological father."

As he spoke, Bill called out to a middle-aged woman who was looking over:

"Hey! Leno!"

The middle-aged woman sighed, apologized to the guests present, and walked over, saying:

“It’s alright, Cyril, I’ll take care of it.”

“Okay, ma’am.” The security guard glanced at Bill, then at Eric, nodded, and left.

"Hello, Bill." The middle-aged woman looked at the gift box that Bill was holding with a strange expression.

Bill said, "Lenno, I'm just here to give Kimmy a gift. I'll leave after I deliver it."

Lenore glanced at Eric standing behind Bill, completely baffled.

"There's a special place for children's gifts, so let's put everyone else's gifts here too. And who is this?"

“My friend came along on his way,” Bill said earnestly.

"I want to hand it to her myself."

Seeing Bill suddenly bring over a young man he didn't recognize, Leno said, "You're still doing things your own way, Bill."

Bill: "Oh, please, Leni."

Leno said helplessly, "I told you not to call me that."

Bill: "Sorry, Leno."

(End of this chapter)