Tonight, Austin had organized a grand dinner to thank Edward for saving his life.The recent crisis Dominion was in was so dire that the company was almost destroyed.Walter defeated Dorothy in the end and allowed Wirtucon Corporations to enter this city once again.Still, Edward had helped Austin out when he was at his wit's end and about to die. Austin had to express gratitude for that.He would doubly repay the kindness that was shown to him.Much less could be said of kindness that had saved his life!However, Ezra smiled and said with a knowing look in his eyes, "Still, if you really intend to ask for her hand in marriage, sir, I can help you prepare a grand gift. Also, I'm very sure that this gift will please the Grahams greatly.""What is that?" Austin asked, puzzled.Ezra smiled an ambiguous smile. Then, he turned and said to Aldus, "Come on, Aldus, start the car. It seems that sir already has the intention to ask the Grahams for Cecily's hand in marriage."Austin blus
When Austin walked into the main hall, he saw Cecily and the others standing there, waiting for him.Cecily smiled and walked up to him. Holding Austin's arm, she said, "Silly Austin, you're late. My dad and the others are waiting."She seemed to be complaining, but she knew very well that Dominion had just survived a major crisis, and it was when Austin's work would be at its heaviest.When she said that, she was helping Austin maintain his reputation.Austin smiled apologetically at Edward and the others. "Sorry, Mr. and Mrs. Graham, Mr. Newman, and Mr. Stephens. There were too many matters to attend to at the company, so I came late.""It's alright. Since we're all here, let's have a seat."Edward smiled casually. Then, he gave Timothy a doubtful look.Just now, Timothy had rushed to the main hall to welcome Austin. That was why the others had followed him there.After some chatting, when Timothy saw Edward asking them to take their seats, he walked up to Austin and smiled.
A moment later, Derrick dashed up to the boxes first. He trembled as he picked up a small box on top of the others.The item inside was none other than the original manuscript of "Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening".After examining it for a while, Derrick shivered even more. He said breathlessly, "It really is that manuscript that was sold for 300 million dollars!"Edward and the others finally came to their senses when they heard his exclamations.Cecily covered her mouth with her pretty hands. There was a shocked look on her face.Edward, Rachel, and Timothy looked at Austin in utter shock."Child… How much do these gifts cost? It's no humble gift at all!"Edward's voice was trembling. A single manuscript already cost 300 million dollars, so combined with the other gifts, the price would be astronomical!With his wealth, several hundred million would be a small goal, but it wouldn't make sense to give gifts worth that much to someone.480 million dollars!Austin knew
Glasses were passed around at the table, and laughter and chatter filled the room.It was quite a happy atmosphere.Faced with Edward, Timothy, and Derrick, Austin didn't look rigid or intimidated at all.He spoke with charisma, and he behaved appropriately.Edward, Rachel, and Derrick nodded in approval when they noticed his behavior.After all, they all held positions above everyone else.Even when they usually dined with the elite and wealthy, the others would just try to suck up to them.It was quite astonishing to see someone as young as Austin, who was from a younger generation, still keeping his calm and speaking in an appropriate tone that was neither too humble nor too proud.After several rounds of eating and drinking, Derrick tipsily got up with his glass in hand. "Young man, here's a toast to you. I was foolish last time, and I misunderstood you. I hereby apologize to you with this glass of wine!"He wasn't a fool. Instead, he was quite smart.As a master of paint
"Everyone has been young before. Just speak your mind and let me hear it!"Austin was even more bewildered.He suddenly felt a little lost.What the hell should he say, anyway?Taking a deep breath, Austin said, "Mr. Graham, you probably had a little too much to drink. Let me take you to your room to rest.""No, I'm perfectly fine. I can even down two more bottles."Edward waved his hand, but he looked a little angry. "You came with a motive, so why won't you ask the question yourself? Do you want me to say it for you?"Austin was puzzled.Noticing Austin's shocked expression, Edward shook his head in exasperation. Once again, he put on his knowing smile."You're just so shy, young man. When I was your age, I feared nothing!"With that, he slammed his palm on the table.The impact was so powerful that the dishes on the table clattered."You brat, just say it! You gave us so many gifts; I've already seen through your intentions!"The sudden scene startled Austin. He widened
Edward was drunk for real, and he was quite intoxicated.Austin didn't dare to stay there much longer, either. He left in a hurry.He didn't expect a meeting with Cecily's parents to turn into a proposal because of the drunken Edward.Edward was truly… quite remarkable!But more importantly, several hundred million dollars really wasn't a lot to Austin!If it truly was a proposal, Austin would have prepared more gifts that were even more precious than that. It would at least have to be the special gift Ezra had told him about.He was the most bothered by the fact that the scene just now had hurt Cecily.Unfortunately, Edward had already caused a mess in that scene, and Austin had no way of explaining himself.In the Rolls-Royce, Austin had an exasperated look on his face. He was deeply troubled.Ezra and Aldus were puzzled."Is something bothering you, sir?" Ezra asked.Austin smiled helplessly. "I gave them gifts worth several hundred million dollars, and in his drunkenness
"But it'll be fine if he admits it, right?" Cecily couldn't understand.Smiling, Rachel walked up to Cecily. She draped a jacket over her daughter.Hugging Cecily, she said in a gentle voice, "Do you love him?"Cecily nodded."Does he love you?"Cecily was stunned for a moment. Then, she nodded.Rachel raised an eyebrow. "That's that, then. If you love each other so much, why would you be hung up on the passage of time? When you love someone, you'll treat them as an exceedingly precious treasure. Even the slightest bit of under-preparation feels like a crime."Cecily turned to look at Rachel. "Do you mean that Austin wasn't prepared enough? Is that why he said that he wasn't here to propose?"But when she said those words, she didn't quite believe it.Austin had already prepared several hundred million dollars, and even the original manuscript of Robert Frost's "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening". How could it not be enough?Rachel smiled in exasperation. "Perhaps we feel
"How long has she been missing?" Austin asked in a low voice.Dahlia thought for a moment. Then, she said, "About ten minutes."Austin immediately said, "Aldus, Mr. Lockwood, search around the area first. I'll get the property management to show me the surveillance records.""Austin, I'll go with you."Dahlia quickly walked up to Austin, holding her phone tightly with both hands. She had a panicked look on her face. "Raquel, please be safe.""Mom, she'll be fine." Austin comforted her.But he knew that comforting Dahlia like this wouldn't help much.Raquel was very capable, and she didn't mind hard work at all. She had been taking very attentive care of Dahlia, and Dahlia had also treated Raquel as her daughter.…At the property management office, after the manager learned of the situation, he hastily checked the surveillance videos. However, the results were disappointing.Raquel's figure never appeared in the surveillance videos.This meant that Raquel didn't leave throug