"No way, Cece! Don't tell me that you've already gotten acquainted with this mysterious president?""Girl, if you are, then you really hid it well!""Hurry up and tell us, what does this mysterious president look like? Is he handsome?"Celia looked into their eager eyes and felt her ego inflate. Although she had never seen this person, in her mind, she had already pictured his perfect profile. After all, a man with such a background and such strong skills couldn't be ugly. Therefore, she said shamelessly, "I won't hide it from you. In actual fact, we met ages ago!"Upon hearing this, all her lackeys exploded. "Wow, Cece, you're amazing!""The Hawkins heiress really is different from everyone else. You get all the firsthand resources. To think that in the whole of Pamore, you're probably the only person who's seen his real face!" "That's right! Cece, quick, tell us. What kind of person is this mysterious president?"Celia was encouraged by their praise and didn't even blin
Celia spoke agitatedly, but Grace merely smiled lightly and asked, "Do you think I need to climb the social ladder?"It was a simple but lethal sentence. "She's the heiress of the Lewis family, one of the richest families in the world. She's also the current president of Amirate Corporation …" Celia's lackey said sourly. With that kind of family background, Grace was in a league of her own. If there was going to be any social climbing, Grace had set the standard people aspired to be!Celia's expression darkened at once. Grace looked at her with a smile playing on her lips. Immediately after that, she said, "It looks like there's someone else who's trying to climb up the social ladder. However, it might not be that easy." Celia burst out in anger. "Grace, you were abandoned by my brother. You have no right to talk nonsense here. Watch out, or I'll rip your mouth apart."Grace was impassive as she watched Celia get mad. In her eyes, Celia was a complete and utter clown. "
She was beating around the bush, but only Celia knew how guilty she felt at that moment. When Grace heard the emcee say Xander's name, she looked slightly surprised, but only for a moment. She thought of Hestia's call the other day.There had been so many clues leading up to this!She smiled gracefully and lifted her wine glass to her lips, downing it at once. At that moment, everyone was craning their necks eagerly in one direction. As everyone waited in anticipation, a tall figure walked toward them step by step. He strode confidently, his face in the shadows, as he was walking against the light. The crowd could only see his face clearly once he walked onto the stage and the lights shone on him. The man was dressed in a purple suit that made him look very tall. He had refined features, a unique charisma, and a commanding air that drew gasps of admiration from those around him with a single glance. "Oh my, this man is so handsome! He's so handsome that I could die!""He
Grace nodded slightly. "Yes, I am!"Unbeknownst to them, their conversation was making everyone around them gawk in surprise. The crowd could clearly see Xander's affection for Grace. The intense way he looked at her made them seem like a couple in love. Everyone's curiosity was immediately aroused, especially because the two of them were wearing matching outfits in the same color!"Are they really a couple?" someone in the crowd asked, igniting the flame of gossip at once. Benjamin was standing nearby, and his expression darkened at once. He stared at the two of them, his eyes seeming to burn a hole in them. "Mr. Fulton, have you two met before?" one of Celia's lackeys asked. Xander looked at Grace and said, "Yes, we've known each other for many years."The crowd started whispering again at that. They had known each other for many years?That would mean that they had grown up together!That wasn't unexpected. After all, Grace was the heiress of the Lewis family, which
Xander only stopped when they had reached the end of the corridor. "Go in. The answer is inside." Then, he gently pushed the door open and entered. "Mr. Lewis Senior, I brought Grace."Grace was startled. Following Xander's line of vision, she saw Harold sitting on a chair. "Grandpa!" Grace was happily surprised. She ran over without hesitance and dove into Harold's embrace. "Grandpa, why didn't you tell me that you were coming to Pamore?""I told him to keep it a secret because I wanted to give you a surprise." Hestia's voice rang out, making Grace even more shocked. "Aunt Hestia, you're here too!"Hestia came forward and tweaked Grace's nose. "How could I stay away? We know all about that rousing speech you made to the board of directors!"Grace was embarrassed. "Your bet with Mr. Walker isn't a secret anymore. What do you plan to do next?"Grace stuck out her tongue sheepishly and said, "Work hard and try my best to achieve my goal.""That's great! You're not givin
"Ben!" He hadn't even taken two steps before Celia blocked his path.Benjamin's expression was cold and impatient. "What?"Celia had been mocked by her lackeys for bragging, so she needed Benjamin to help her regain her dignity. As far as she could see, only he could help her. After all, everyone in Pamore had to show respect to their family. "Ben, how's your relationship with Mr. Fulton from Futurelink Corporation?"At the mention of Xander, Benjamin's gaze chilled further, and his lips curled. "I don't know him well, but there's someone who has a pretty good relationship with him."Celia was startled and followed his line of vision. Immediately, she saw Grace and Xander in the crowd. The fire of jealousy flamed up in her immediately, and she clenched her fists. "That bitch, Grace! It's been such a short time since she left you, and now she's getting involved with Futurelink Corporation's president! She's shameless!"Not to mention that it was with a man as outstanding as
Xander's eyes turned colder when he heard Grace. He swirled the highball glass in his hand, making the bright red liquid inside ripple.He had always held a grudge against the Hawkins for how Grace's mother-in-law and sister-in-law had mistreated her."It's nice to meet you, Mr. Fulton!" Celia didn't seem to notice the change in atmosphere and extended her right hand toward Xander.Even after a while, her extended hand received no handshake from him.Somewhat embarrassed, Celia withdrew her hand. "Mr. Fulton, you've become the president of Futurelink Corporation at such a young age. "I'm honored to meet you today and hope that Hawkins Group can have the opportunity to work with Futurelink."Xander smiled, but it didn't seem sincere. "I appreciate the compliments, Ms. Hawkins, but let's skip the collaboration."His response completely humiliated Celia.People around were surprised that the newcomer, Xander, would treat the Hawkins family—the local bigwig—in such a way.They se
After saying that, Xander released Celia, leaving her looking furious."Don't be so smug, Grace. One day, I will kick you out of Pamore and ruin you."Grace found Celia's threat amusing and casually glanced over at Benjamin, who wasn't far away.She then said, "Mr. Hawkins, it seems that Ms. Hawkins has had a bit too much to drink and is talking nonsense. Could you please take her home?"Benjamin approached quickly with an unpleasant expression and grabbed Celia's arm firmly. "Come with me!""Ben! I was just teaching this woman a lesson for you. Why are you dragging me away?""Have you not embarrassed yourself enough?" His words made Celia realize the judging looks people around them were giving her.She felt embarrassed and blushed at her actions earlier.In the end, they left the banquet hall with Benjamin forcefully pulling her away.Once they had left, Xander asked in concern, "Are you okay?"Grace gently shook her head. "I'm fine.""Did she use to bully you like this be