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
After confronting that man, Belle hurried to Robert's side.Patrick's condition was very concerning at the moment. He was too emotionally agitated, and if this continued, it could be dangerous."Belle …" Patrick suddenly looked at her and called out.Everyone was surprised that Patrick had actually spoken!Everyone's eyes widened in disbelief as they doubted their own hearing.Robert was equally surprised.He looked at Patrick in his arms, and Patrick was looking at Belle."Patrick," Robert's voice was trembling.In order to make Patrick speak, everyone in the family tried every method they could think of, exhausting all possibilities. They had nearly given up, thinking that Patrick might never speak again.Belle was also surprised to hear Patrick call her.All the information she had heard indicated that Patrick couldn't speak.She walked over, looked closely at the little guy, and asked, "It's you?"Patrick was the little boy she had saved in a coffee shop explosion when
Grayson didn't dare to think any further. He yelled at Jake, "Contact the bomb disposal experts and get the best ones here as soon as possible! If something happens to Belle today, nobody can survive!"Grayson sprinted toward where Belle had gone as if his life depended on it.Jake followed closely behind Grayson. When he heard Grayson's yelling, he was taken aback. It had been a long time since he had seen Grayson so panicked.The people on Grayson's side were in chaos.The people on Robert's side were also in chaos.At this moment, the entire banquet had fallen into eerie silence.They were still unaware of the bomb on Patrick's body. They were amazed by the fact that Patrick could speak. They thought it was a miracle that Patrick could speak again.People gradually regained their composure and looked toward Tom, awaiting his words.At this moment, Tom was still sweating on his forehead. He didn't have time to say anything to the crowd. He rushed out in a hurry with his walki