Knowing what Mr. Ortiz was thinking, she smiled and said, "We don't have clues now. If we attend dinners like this, we could at least get something. Go, Mr. Ortiz. Tell my dad everything I've said. He will go."She knew Graham would agree to anything as long as he could find Lynette.And she was right. After hearing the message conveyed by Mr. Ortiz, Graham agreed to the idea without hesitation. Mr. Ortiz was visibly worried, but all he could do was arrange for more bodyguards.When night descended on Bayside City, crowds were swelling in its grandest five-star luxury hotel. Those who attended the charity dinner were famous names in the city. They mingled around with wine glasses in their hands. Those who watched from the outside might mistakenly think of it as a meetup among close acquaintances.The dinner was about to start when Jenny and Graham showed up. They located their seats and sat down. Since they were at the event searching for clues, she kept a low profile and picked a
Graham collected himself, his eyes still on Eric and Lynette in the front row with a bitter smile on his face. "Looks like your mom has found love again after all these years. That's good."He had no plan to disturb Lynette. If she was truly happy, he would not interfere in her life.At that time, Jenny looked away from her phone after reading the information sent by Zack. The sight of Eric and Lynette seemed the more ironic to her. "Dad, you're overthinking. Don't you think Lynette doesn't like Eric Dafoe?" Jenny still squirmed at the thought of addressing Lynette as "Mom". After all, they'd never met in person. It took her a long time to address Graham as "Dad." At this moment, Lynette was nothing more than a stranger to her. Had it not been for Graham's insistence to search for Lynette, Jenny was prepared to live a life without her mom.However, her mindset shifted after she read the details about Eric.Graham turned to her with a confused look. "What do you mean? Is your mom
In a second, multiple thoughts rushed through Lynette's mind. Eric clearly spotted the change in her expression and cast a different look at Jenny.The auction started. Someone bid for the ruby pendant, but not for much. There was no reason to keep the pendant in the auction since Jenny had intended to look for Lynette with the pendant, but Lynette was right there in front of her. So, she decided to take back the ruby pendant by bidding for it."Five million." Jenny raised her auction paddle. The people around her understood her intention and let her have her way. They did not want to get on the wrong side of a Bardoff City family.Just when Jenny was expecting to retrieve the ruby pendant, Eric raised his auction paddle from the front row. "Ten million."There was a collective gasp because no one had expected Eric to express interest in the pendant. He spun around and looked at Jenny. "I'm sorry, Miss Walter. My wife loves the ruby pendant.""Is that so? That's an honor, but it's
Eric shot a glance at her and smiled. "Miss Walter, you are being humble. Everyone here knows that the Walters is one of the Ten Elites in Bardoff City."The guests were speechless. Right, the Dafoes and the Walters were influential families everyone had to defer to."If that's the case, I wonder if you're interested in a partnership?" she inquired. Eric was astonished at her comments because he could not figure out what she was up to."I'll discuss further with you after the auction." Since the auction was ongoing, she didn't want to discuss more under the watchful gazes of the others.The conversation ended there, and the auction took off again. Still, Jenny and Eric were not in the mood to watch anymore.Eric whispered in Lynette's ear, "Your daughter is way more clever than you." Lynette did not say a word. He added, "What do you think the father and daughter are up to? Are they here to bring you with them?" Upon closer look, the smile on his face appeared murderous.She bi
Silence hung over them after Jenny's remark. It was so quiet that the only sounds heard were their breathing. Eric and Lynette were shocked at how casually Jenny dropped the information, which was different from what they had anticipated."Mrs. Dafoe, you look shocked. Do you need to take a breather in the bathroom?" Jenny stared at Lynette. Lynette wanted to say that was unnecessary, but she noticed the look in Jenny's eyes and guessed that her daughter had other plans. "You're right. I need to leave for a moment to calm down."She looked at Eric. He caught the back-and-forth between Lynette and Jenny but was not too bothered because he knew they could not do much in his territory."Go. Call me if you need anything," he said to her. She nodded with a wry smile and headed for the bathroom. When she was far away, Eric's expression changed. He wiped the fake smile off his face. "Miss Walter, what are you up to?""Mr. Dafoe, you're overthinking things. I really want to work with you
Lynette refused to listen to Graham, but he went on anyway, "Nettie, I married Rowena Glass because I fell into her trap. We have long since divorced.""You're divorced?" She didn't know about that."I have never loved her. You're my one and only love," he confessed.Her eyes brimmed with tears, for she shared the same affection. Still, the thought of Eric's wicked tricks stopped her from confessing her true feelings. "Thank you for your love, but I'm doing well now, and I do not wish to be disturbed. Leave this city with Jenny if you care for my best interest. Do you know how much danger you'll put her in?""I know. Jenny is quite stubborn, especially after learning that your life isn't all roses with Eric. We agreed to leave the city with you." He added, "Nettie, Jenny is our daughter. We have owed her a lot over the years, but she cares about us and never holds a grudge against us. She's such a great kid. Sometimes, I feel grateful for having a daughter like her."It was heart-
At the event hall, Jenny engaged Eric in a talk. Anyone watching would think they were serious about the business partnership, but Eric knew all too well that Jenny was buying time. He downed the red wine in his glass and gave her an emotionless look. "Was that enough time?""What?" She appeared puzzled."You were buying time. Was that enough?" He chuckled as his gaze wandered to the restroom. Lynette seemed to have walked in that direction. Jenny smiled at his cleverness. "Mr. Dafoe, it seems you care a lot about my mother." He snickered and looked at her sharply. "Of course. She's my wife.""Your wife?" She smirked. "But I heard that you're mistreating her.""So what? Do you think you and your useless father stand a chance to leave with her just because I'm mistreating her?" His tone was full of mockery, and he looked disdainful upon mentioning Graham.Jenny's expression contorted. She had not come across someone as impudent as Eric in a long time. Still, she was understandi
Jenny spotted Graham standing not far away from the hotel entrance and approached him. "Dad, how was the talk with Lynette?" she asked. Graham had a complicated look on his face mixed with slight concern. "She said she won't leave with us and requested that we leave Bayside City.""Cut that nonsense, Dad. I don't care what she said to you. Most importantly, what do you think about her life with Eric Dafoe?" Lynette would definitely refuse to leave because she was concerned for Graham and Jenny's safety. Jenny hadn't had much chance to interact with Eric, but she could tell the man was no angel. After her question, Graham shared his thoughts, "She's in the exact situation as the information you gathered on her. Eric Dafoe probably doesn't treat her well.""That's good enough. Once we confirm that, we will leave with her no matter what. We can't leave her behind to suffer." Lynette was, after all, her biological mother, and Jenny wasn't heartless."It's not that simple. She's stil