Gary's speech was short and sweet. It didn't exceed two minutes. Larissa was still in a daze when Lewis nudged her on the shoulder. "It's time to go down." In a hurry, she almost tripped over the hem of her gown. Lewis caught her before she fell. Holding up his fist at his lips, he whispered in a low tone, "Walk elegantly and with dignity." Larissa immediately followed the training she received. Lifting the hem of her dress, she held her head high and straightened her back. Step by step, she descended the stairs. Larissa maintained a smile as she faced dozens of intense gazes. Gary's eyes were filled with tears as she approached him. When Larissa stopped at his side, he offered his arm. She held onto him and scanned the room. Most of the guests tonight appeared to be young Caldorians. Larissa couldn't help but wonder why. Blue Star Shipping was founded and established in Aldovia. Although the company's partners were likely diverse, most of them should be middle
Mike remained composed and stretched his hand out toward Larissa with a smile. "Nice to meet you, Larissa." "Nice to meet you too." Larissa shook his hand. Seizing his chance, Gary excused himself and gave them some privacy. Larissa felt awkward. Mike picked up two glasses of champagne from the table and gave Larissa one. "Care for a drink?" Larissa took it and said, "Thank you." "Seems like Mr. Logan wants to matchmake us." Mike rested on the edge of the table and stared as Gary weaved among the crowd. Larissa almost choked as she didn't expect him to be so direct. Still, she visibly relaxed after that. "He meddles in things he shouldn't." Sipping some champagne, Larissa sighed. "All parents are like that," Mike said with a chuckle. "My parents are always pressuring me to get married. I was forced to attend today's banquet as well, but …" He turned to stare at Larissa. "It was fortunate that I came, or I wouldn't have had the pleasure of meeting you." Mike wa
One of Gary's close friends was a famous pianist. He was among the guests. He was drunk and got into the mood for some music. So, he opened the cover of the grand piano and began playing. His fingers danced across the keys.The chatter of the people stopped all of a sudden. Everyone turned to look at the pianist, who had a drunk smile on his face. He said, "The next song is for today's star—the beautiful Ms. Larissa Seymour!"Larissa hurriedly put down the wine glass in her hand as she straightened up. She nodded a little at the pianist with the crowd between them.The pianist's fingers landed on the keys again. Beautiful music filled the spacious hall.Guests with female partners began to dance, and the others joined in. Even Mike held out his hand to Larissa."May I have the honor of dancing with you, Ms. Larissa?"He bowed with a hand behind his back. His manners were perfect.Larissa did not want to have close contact with men, but she could not refuse him in front of ev
"Mr. Rogers is here too?""Hi, Mr. Rogers, I am …""Mr. Rogers, we met in Bartham last time, I am …"…Many of Gary's invited guests were Caldorians. Even if they had already immigrated to Aldovia many years ago, most of their businesses remained in Caldor, so they naturally knew Kevan.The crowd's focus quickly changed, and the "perfectly matched couple" were tossed aside. However, the "couple" in question were not unhappy because of this.Larissa was still staring blankly at Kevan, who came from who knew where. Mike was staring at Kevan with sparkling eyes too after he got over his surprise. He adjusted his tie and took an eager step. But then he suddenly seemed to have recalled something as he turned to Larissa. He looked a little uncomfortable."Do you … want to greet Mr. Rogers too?" he asked."Huh?" Larissa seemed to have woken up from a dream. Once she finally heard what Mike said, she smiled dryly and shook her head. "No, thanks. You go on ahead.""Okay." Mike turned
Kevan seemed to have dressed up today. His tailored black tuxedo seemed to show his aura even more than ever. His white shirt clung to his flesh, and his muscles bulged out.The white vest he wore hugged his waist. His long legs were hugged by black trousers.His bangs were swept off his forehead. They were set in place with hair wax, making his eyes stand out When Larissa locked eyes with him, she felt like her soul had left her body. She could only stand there. She could find no words.Kevan smiled. His eyes were shining. He glanced at the pianist in the corner of the room and used a rare humble tone of voice as he asked, "Please play another song."The pianist was Aldovian. He was just regular friends with Gary. He had never been involved in the business industry, so he did not know Kevan. But from the way others treated Kevan at the banquet, the pianist could tell that Kevan was someone important. So, he dared not neglect him.A lighthearted tune began to flow from the pia
Kevan did not hesitate in picking Larissa up—bridal style. He made sure that his arm was pinning her skirt in place to preserve her modesty.The hall became abuzz with chatter again.The guests came over with concern for Larissa's injury."Is Ms. Seymour alright?""Is she hurt?""Is it serious?""Get a doctor to take a look at it!"…Kevan still ignored everyone. He only asked Larissa, "Where's your room?"Larissa bore the pain as well as she could as she pointed to the stairs. "The second floor."Kevan turned and headed to the stairs. However, he had only made it there halfway when someone stopped him.Gary had blocked Kevan with Lewis with him."Mr. Rogers." Gary put on a fake smile, signaling Lewis to "grab" Larissa with his eyes. "We will take care of Lari. You don't need to trouble yourself anymore."Lewis had just taken one step forward when Kevan moved aside. He avoided Lewis' hand."I'll send her up." Unlike before, where he had always been accommodating, Kevan de
Kevan jolted hard, and his lips froze at Larissa's neck. However, his arms tightened around her and she had trouble breathing.Larissa sighed to herself and she lightly patted his back."So, you came to Westonia for a business trip?" She used a much more relaxing topic to try to change the room's atmosphere.Kevan did not respond though.Larissa waited for half a minute before she used an excuse for her own sake. "You did say that you were coming for a business trip."However, a few seconds later, Kevan said dully, "No."He was like Aster. They liked burying their faces in her neck. When they spoke, their lips rubbed against her skin, and it made her super uncomfortable.Larissa shifted a little and looked at Kevan in confusion. "Huh?"Kevan looked over to lock gazes with her too."I didn't come here for a business trip." He said it with such seriousness. "I came here specifically to see you."Larissa's heart skipped a beat. She hurriedly avoided his burning gaze as her voice
But soon, Larissa was confident again. She had nothing going on with Mike. Even if she did, Kevan had no right to care about it. He was no one to her!Suddenly, someone coughed from the door.Kevan and Larissa turned to look at the same time.Lewis was standing at the door, his fist raised to knock."Lewis!" Larissa's eyes were sparkling like she saw her savior.Lewis had just taken a step forward when Kevan glared at him coldly. Lewis' survival instincts made him stop. He said to Larissa at a very far distance, "I've called the family doctor over so he can see how bad you've hurt yourself.""Okay! Let him in quickly!" Larissa said hurriedly.Lewis called out the door. "Dr. Smith!"The family doctor came in with his first aid kit.Kevan frowned and asked unhappily, "There's no female doctor?"Larissa twisted her ankle. To figure out the extent of her injury, the doctor would have to touch her.The moment Kevan thought of a man touching Larissa's soft skin, his jealousy blew