Robert composed himself. "You don't have to get pissed off over them. Patrick's unwell, but I'm still here to protect the Strauss family. I accept the duty.""But… don't you have other more important duties on your shoulders?" said Scott.Robert glanced toward Belle again. "I have to keep up with the changes in the situation. It's still my responsibility."Scott didn't know that he was talking about Belle. Sighing, he patted Robert on the shoulder."Don't worry. I have your back. Once the Strauss family is in calmer waters, you can focus on doing your own matters. I most likely won't be leaving anymore. I'll help you take care of your grandfather, Patrick, and Mrs. Strauss," said Scott.Robert looked at him, feeling beyond grateful. Meanwhile, Belle was pissed off.She said, "How dare they come and cause trouble! It seems like they haven't learned their lesson from the previous time. They need a good beating!"Grayson cast a glance at Trent. Coincidentally, Trent's subordinate w
Grayson didn't reply to Jake's text. He thought for a moment and said to Belle, "There's dessert over there. Help me get some."Belle looked at him in surprise. How was he still in the mood to eat at a time like that?Before Belle could ask, Yolanda scolded Grayson, "Can't you see that she's talking to us? Go get your own dessert."The other ladies laughed and teased Grayson."Goodness me, don't go poking your nose into young people's business." "Grayson only asked Belle to get him dessert because he likes her. He won't eat anything other ladies get him.""Exactly. It's a gesture of love, haha."Pursing her lips, Belle said to Yolanda with a smile, "It's fine. I'll help him get dessert. Carry on without me."Belle behaved elegantly, and she looked pretty no matter what she did. After she left, the ladies complimented Yolanda about how lucky she was.Yolanda said, "Grayson, I'm lucky to have Belle as my daughter-in-law, but I'm not the luckiest person yet."The ladies looked
Phil Sanchez had arrived fashionably late. The atmosphere in the hall changed the moment he walked in. The sound of chatter ceased a great deal. Phil grabbed Belle's attention, and she asked with a frown, "What's he doing here? Isn't he on bad terms with the Page and Strauss families?"Grayson forgot his displeasure and said, "Even troublemakers like Trent were allowed entry, much less Phil."Frowning, Belle looked disgusted. As the person who was the most capable of taking that position in the Strauss family, he became the center of attention.The event was about to start. Phil had already arrived, but Patrick was still nowhere to be seen. People were starting to gossip."I'm here to attend a birthday party, but the birthday boy is nowhere in sight. What a joke.""Exactly. What's the Strauss family up to?""They're not up to anything. I think Patrick just doesn't have the balls to show up. I heard that he's not just mute but also autistic. He can't meet strangers.""He can't
Tom said calmly, "Unfortunately, Patrick is sick and can't come today."Hearing this, the crowd began to discuss the situation again."He's sick? Is it so coincidental that he fell ill on his birthday?""Exactly! Is he really sick or is he just pretending?"Someone impatiently said, "He's had a condition all along. There's no need for him to pretend. Mr. Strauss Senior, we heard that Patrick is mute and also has autism. Please tell the truth in front of everyone. Are those rumors true?""Yes, give us a straightforward answer. If it's true, then we're wrong to offend him. If it's not true, then let us meet him."Scott was irritated, and he responded, "Mr. Strauss Senior said that Patrick isn't feeling well and can't come to the party.""It doesn't matter that he can't come. Just take a video of him so that we can see for ourselves!"Many others joined in agreement, and the discussions quickly escalated."Right, a video will be enough. We want to see for ourselves if he's alrigh
Phil immediately furrowed his brows, and many of those who supported him did the same.Belle said, "If you want to seize power and take over, just say it out loud. You don't need to beat about the bush. You're already so old. Don't you have any shame? Don't you all feel disgusted after hearing what he said?"Phil exclaimed, "You!"Belle continued, "I don't know about you guys, but I'm about to throw up. He clearly wants to take Mr. Strauss Senior's position, but he insists on making it sound like he's very unwilling to do so and that he's stepping up in a time of crisis. How ridiculous is that?"She continued, "And even if Patrick isn't feeling well and isn't suitable for the position, don't we have Robert? If Robert doesn't want to take over as well, there are still other candidates, right? How can we elect an elderly person who's almost 70?""You!" Phil's face turned red, and he was so agitated that his breathing became irregular.Xenia couldn't remain calm either. "Belle, how
After a while, Xenia said with frustration, "Don't drag Grayson into this. He's like Robert; he's never wanted that position."Belle lifted her chin and retorted, "What's your relationship with him that you can address him so familiarly? I call him by his name because I'm his girlfriend. Who are you to speak so familiarly of him?"Xenia was speechless.Belle turned to Grayson and asked, "Tell me! What's your relationship with her?"Grayson looked at Belle with narrowed eyes. "In that case, what's my relationship with you?"Belle was momentarily stunned, thinking she might have gone too far and angered Grayson.The next moment, Grayson reached out and pulled her into his embrace, saying, "We've already slept together, yet you're jealous of someone else."This statement couldn't have been more straightforward. Belle was Grayson's lover, while Xenia was an outsider.Belle felt her face turn as red as a tomato!Being the center of attention and in Grayson's embrace, as well as con
Belle was standing on Grayson's side, her eyes widened in surprise. When Yolanda heard this, her eyes welled up with emotion. She couldn't help muttering, "This little brat has finally grown up!" Alfred was also very pleased and nodded in agreement with Yolanda, saying, "He's grown up." Tristan and his group were standing on the side, whistling and enjoying the atmosphere. Belle didn't know why Grayson said such things. He didn't even like her. Her heart raced uncontrollably, beating faster. Looking at her, Grayson said, "You don't need to restrain yourself to please anyone in the future. Just be yourself and do what you want. I'll be there for you no matter what happens." Her eyes blinked rapidly, and her heart was racing more than usual. A sudden, urgent ringtone interrupted this moment. It was Phil's phone. He furrowed his brows, and his expression was dark. He let out a sigh before slowly taking out his phone. After hearing what the other person said, Phil's eye
"Someone has planted a micro-bomb on Mr. Patrick Strauss, forcing us to bring him to the scene. We're afraid he might be in danger, so we didn't dare to stop it."Tom saw the message, and his eyes widened. His body swayed as he nearly fainted.Robert also saw the message and quickly felt around Patrick. When he touched something, his expression changed.Having spent years in the military, he knew what was on Patrick.The latest high-precision micro-bomb was small in size but extremely powerful.If it exploded, the entire venue would be leveled, and no one would survive!Without hesitation, Robert picked up Patrick and headed for the exit.Scott realized something was amiss and asked, "What's going on?"Robert didn't stop. As he walked, he said, "It's nothing. You just stay here!"He was worried that something might happen and affect Scott.If something happened to him and Patrick, at least Scott would be there to take care of the Strauss family."Patrick! Robert!" Claire kne