Rosemary had always resisted taking on the mantle from the old man, leading him on a wild goose chase around the world. Now, he was practically laying down ultimatums to "coerce" her.
"It’s settled. Oh, for Pete’s sake, what’s wrong with this signal now? Can’t ear a darn thing. Alright, that’s it—hanging up."
Perhaps fearing Rosemary would change her mind, Mr. Albright hastily ended the call—not without bragging in the old-timers’ group chat that Rose would be punctually attending his birthday bash the next day.
> [For real? Don’t you dare pull a fast one on me! Listen here, if you don’t share that bottle of tequila you snagged last time, I’ll just sit back in my rocking chair, chill, and let your birthday bash be a frosty affair.]
[lIf you give that old coot tequila and don’t let me feast my eyes on that luminous pearl you got your hands on last time, count me out!]
> [Call me bro just once, admit you’ve lost to me in chess, and I might just deign to grace your little shindig with my presence.]
"You should buy me lunch for a month."
Seeing each of them making demands, Mr. Albright haughtily replied:
> [Come or don’t—your choice!]
Everyone was momentarily unsettled by his response. Could it be that Rose really was going to show up?!
Each year, without fail, Rose had always made time for their birthday parties, no matter how busy she was.
Even though she now had recognized her own family, they knew deep down she still cared about them.
With that thought, the old guys started changing their tunes.
> [Out of the relationship we’ve shared over the years, I suppose I can make an exception and drop by your birthday dinner tomorrow night.]
> [Just imagine if Rose doesn’t show, and us old buddies stand you up. That’d look pretty bad for you. I’ll be there. At least if no other guests show, you’ll still have me to blow out the candles with you.]
> [I’m in too.]
> [If everyone’s going, it’d be rude for me not to show up.]
Upon reading this, Mr. Albright, seizing the opportunity, replied:
> [No tequila, no luminous pearl. And you think I’d shout a month of lunches? No chance! Admit I’m not as good as you? In your dreams!]
The group saw his message and thought—wow, with Rose coming to the party, the old man’s backbone was suddenly made of steel. His words all toughened up. Just before, he was sighing in the group chat, hinting for them to remind Rose about his birthday.
What a drastic change of attitude!
> [You think we want to come? We’re just worried about what others will talk.]
> [Exactly, you think we want to sing ’Happy Birthday’ for you? So childish, I would never!]
> [I’m just looking to play a couple of chess games with Warner, and I happen to pass by your place.]
> [I’m coming because my house has a blackout—just need your Wi-Fi for a bit.]
Mr. Albright, unable to hold back, retorted:
> [Tomorrow I’m the star of the show. Rose is coming for me. You old fossils better not bother her, especially keep away from the topic of succession—not a single word.]

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