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As soon as these words were said, the room fell silent.
Isla and Jake both looked over at Lewis. The whole
point of calling him over was to see Keira’s husband and put them on the spot.
But now, was Lewis actually going to stand up for
Keira?
Isla was momentarily at a loss for words.
Erin, on the other hand, had nothing to lose and
blurted out, “Mr. Horton knows her husband? With the
way he’s dressed, could he be anything other than a construction worker? Even if he’s not a laborer, at best, he could be a contractor, right?”
These days, even contractors could make a lot of
money.
But in Erin’s mouth, it seemed like even this job was somewhat contemptible.
Lewis’s gaze darkened, and just as he was about to speak, someone knocked on the door, and a man in a suit walked in. “Sorry to intrude.”
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Seeing him, someone in the crowd immediately
exclaimed, “Mr. Hill?”
The man in the suit, Mr. Hill, was slightly taken aback.
“You know me?”
“Well, yes. Our company has recently been working with yours, trying to provide you with a constant temperature energy system. You might not remember me, I’m just an intern at my company,” the young man
said with an awkward smile.
Someone whispered from the side, “Who’s that?”
The young man said, “He’s an expatriate who has returned to Crera to pursue the real estate business. I heard their family’s enterprise has spread across the globe, and now he’s expanding into the Crera market. He’s quite impressive!”
“Really? What’s someone like that doing here? Co he be looking for Mr. Horton?”
In the room, only the Horton family had the status to discuss matters with such a family.
However, Lewis frowned.
The real estate market in Crera was currently in
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decline, and Horton Group’s real estate business had already completely transformed. He couldn’t remember having any cooperation with the Martin
family.
As he was pondering, Mr. Hill bowed respectfully to
Scott Martin and took out a contract from the document bag he was carrying. “Boss, I’ve thoroughly investigated the construction site you just inspected,
and it meets all our investment standards. Here’s the
contract; it was quite urgent, so I brought it over. Please sign it.”
After that, he also nodded apologetically to the people
around the table.
The crowd was dumbfounded.
Lewis frowned and looked toward Scott Martin, hi gaze turning abruptly cold.
Under the table, Keira had just been holding his hand to prevent him from speaking, and even when she brought up her own background, she hadn’t let go, seemingly seeking strength from the gesture.
Now, with everyone’s attention shifting, Keira wasn’t being scrutinized as closely anymore, so she relaxed
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and attempted to withdraw her hand.
But the next moment, the large hand she had been holding took control and grasped hers!
Keira tugged hard but couldn’t pull her hand back.
She looked at Lewis in surprise and saw a possessive look and a hint of jealousy on his face. Was that…jealousy?
Following his gaze, Keira saw Scott.
Keira couldn’t help but feel a mixture of amusement and dismay.
The appearance of Scott seemed to have triggered a sense of crisis in Lewis…
She thought for a moment and decided not to move.
Right now, everyone’s attention was focused cot, who could feel the burning stares of the crow among those gazes was one filled with incomprehensible hostility.
After signing the paper, Scott looked up and saw L staring at him.
Scott gave him a warm smile, then turned to Keira.
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“Miss Keira, I forgot to introduce myself. I’m Scott Martin.”
He extended his hand toward Keira.
Keira didn’t know what to say.
She could only shake hands with Scott Martin using her other hand, the one Lewis hadn’t grasped, and then she quickly let go. Despite that, Lewis’s expression still turned gloomy.
Scott seemed as if he hadn’t noticed the tension and
once again looked at Erin. “I’m not a construction worker, just so you know. The reason I’m dressed like this is that I was busy with an inspection just now, which seems to have led to all these
misunderstandings. I apologize for that.”
Erin was shocked.
Her mouth hung open wide enough to fit an entire
egg.
She awkwardly looked at Scott, and then back to Keira finding herself at a loss for words.
Charles’s eyes immediately lit up. “I knew it! How could someone like Dr. South marry a bricklayer?
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Turns out he’s quite the big shot!”
“One is Dr. South, the other is a real estate tycoon. They’re a perfect match, aren’t they?”
“I just googled the Martin family. My God, they’re kind of impressive!”
|| ||
Isla and Jake frowned, looking toward Keira in
confusion.
How could it possibly be…
How could she possibly have married such an influential figure?!
Jake felt it was impossible to take Keira away from
such a man to become his lover…
He subconsciously glanced over at Lewis.
He noticed that his esteemed uncle also had a
darkened expression; inexplicably, he felt a twinge of
satisfaction.
Yes, for someone like Keira, even if Jake couldn’t have her, it seemed his uncle might not stand a chance
either…
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While he was thinking this, Isla suddenly said, “Keira, is this really your husband?”
The question made Keira give her a somewhat mocking smile. “Do you hope it’s true?”
Isla was taken aback.
Keira didn’t beat around the bush and flatly said, “He’s
not my husband.”
Scott also let out a sigh. “I’m not Miss Olsen’s husband. She helped me out with an umbrella in the rain yesterday, and I was returning the umbrella. And somehow Miss Isla added me on WhatsApp, then summoned me here, saying I could meet Miss Olsen, so I came…”
He explained very clearly.
Isla immediately felt relieved. “I see, it was all a misunderstanding!”
Keira looked at her reaction, finding it ludicrous.
When Scott Martin was thought to be a construction. worker, they denied knowing each other, but Isla didn’t believe them and led the charge in attacking Keira.
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But as soon as Scott Martin turned out to be a real
estate tycoon, with just a few words, Isla believed him.
Keira said casually, “As long as you believe it, that’s fine. It saves me from being tagged with another hat.”
The remark laid bare Isla’s intention, leaving her feeling embarrassed. She laughed it off. “My bad for the misunderstanding. But, Keira, who really is your husband? Why not bring him here for all of us to see… I’m sure everyone is curious. Just who is so fortunate and doesn’t care about your status to have married someone as outstanding as you?”
She stressed the word “outstanding” with a satirical
tone.
Professor Miller, upon hearing this, also looked at Keira. “Keira, bring him along next time so I ca ave a look and see if he’s right for you.”
Keira smiled faintly, about to nod.
But unexpectedly, she heard the deep voice of the beside her, filled with a possessive assertiveness. “There’s no need for next time. He’s already here.”
142 Husband and Wife
Lewis’s words once again quieted the private room.
Everyone looked at him in shock.
Even Professor Miller was confused. “He’s here?
Where?”
Lewis straightened his back and watched as Professor Miller bypassed him, starting with Scott Martin. He examined each of the men sitting in their seats, but after a full circle, he found no one.
Professor Miller asked, “Keira, who on earth is it?”
Lewis was speechless.
Seeing the change in the man’s expression, Keira couldn’t help but snicker internally.
From the first time she saw Lewis, he had always been serious. This was the first time Keira had seen so many
emotions on his face.
She smiled but said nothing.
Isla frowned. “Keira, did you marry one of our classmates? Who exactly is it? Stop keeping us in
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suspense!”
At that, Lewis spoke up, “Her husband is me!”
Suddenly, there was silence in the room, and everyone’s gaze abruptly shifted to the two of them.
Isla wanted to say something, but after opening her mouth and then meeting Lewis’s cold face, she
swallowed her words.
Lewis raised Keira’s hand, which he had been holding tightly under the table, showed it to everyone, and then specifically gave Scott a wary look. “Mr. Martin, I’m glad my wife could help you. If there’s anything in the future, you can contact me.”
Scott was speechless.
Lewis then looked around at everyone and signaled to Tom, who immediately smiled and said, “Mr. Horton and Miss Olsen have arranged a few bottles of fine wine to celebrate Professor Miller’s birthday. They’ll be served shortly. Enjoy your meal and drink, and this
meal will be on Mr. Horton’s account.”
The classmates were very appreciative, immediately
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raising their glasses. “Thank you, Mr. Horton. Thank you, Dr. South!”
At that moment, the atmosphere of the entire birthday banquet seemed to reach its climax.
Lewis had intended to dine with everyone, but his cell phone suddenly rang.
After he answered, whoever was on the other end said
something that made Lewis’s expression change drastically, and he said, “I’ll be right there.”
After hanging up, he looked at Keira apologetically. “I might need to leave now.”
“Go ahead,” Keira said nonchalantly.
Lewis paused, glanced at the people around him, and then said again, “I’ll leave the car for you, and have the driver take you home later.”
He then stood up, straightened his suit, and was about to leave when he passed by Scott Martin. He suddenly said, “Mr. Martin, everyone here is Keira’s college classmates and teachers. Your presence seems to keep them from relaxing completely. Why don’t we leave together?”
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Scott pursed his lips but politely stood up. “Alright then.”
However, as he was leaving with Lewis, he still turned
to look back at Keira. “Miss Olsen, I’ll be in touch with you frequently in the future.”
These words darkened Lewis’s face a few shades more.
Once the two men finally left, the atmosphere in the
private room completely relaxed, and everyone acted as if they had seen off a superior. They slumped back in their chairs and let out a deep sigh of relief!
“Who would’ve thought that one day I’d get to dine with such important figures? I reckon today’s lunch is the peak of my life!”
“Now I’ll never be short of something to talk about think that people I could only see on financial chan are actually having dinner and drinks with me… My
God!”
“Alright, they’ve left, but we still have Dr. South!”
Professor Miller couldn’t help but smile. He turned to discuss an academic issue with Keira when Isla
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suddenly saidm “Keira, aren’t you being… shameless?!”
As soon as she said this, everyone immediately looked
at her.
Charles frowned. “Isla, I see it now. This whole time, it was you who were picking fights. Erin was just a pawn you used. So, what is it that you want to do now that Erin has stopped talking?”
Isla didn’t expect to be called out and bit her lip in
anger.
She lowered her gaze to think for a moment, then simply laughed. “I don’t want to do anything. I just think Keira has gone too far! She actually managed to persuade Mr. Horton to put on such a grand act with
her!”
Her words stunned the people around her.
Keira frowned. “Are you ever going to stop?”
Isla sneered. “Can’t I talk about the things you’ve done yourself? Everyone in the Horton family knows Mr. Horton got married two years ago, whereas you got married after graduation. Tell me, how did the two of you manage to get married across those two years?”
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Keira frowned.
There were complicated reasons behind it, and she
hadn’t clarified them.
She said indifferently, “Mr. Horton and I are indeed legally married. Whether you believe it or not is up to
you.”
“Still being stubborn here! Jake, isn’t the wife of our
uncle always abroad?”
for
Jake had wanted to say this all along but didn’t dare to
speak due to the pressure from Lewis. Now, he immediately sneered. “Indeed, Keira, I courted you four years. How come I didn’t know that you were my aunt by marriage?!”
Isla sighed. “It’s all because of her face. She pleased Mr Horton and got him to join her in deceiving us. Keira really didn’t expect that. Your mother is a mistress, al you, already married, would rather have an affair and
be someone else’s mistress…
Jake chimed in. “Probably a genetic trait in the family, right? Can’t stand not being someone else’s mistress?”
Their words were too harsh!
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Compared to Erin’s words just now, it was an even deeper insult to Keira’s character!
Even Professor Miller, who usually didn’t intervene in student affairs, couldn’t stand it anymore “Enough! Isla, Jake, shut your mouths!”
Isla looked at him. “Professor Miller, knowing she is Dr. South, you’re biased toward her, but does someone of her questionable personal morals deserve to be a distinguished professor at the school? Aren’t you afraid it’ll affect the school’s reputation?!”
Caught off-guard, Professor Miller stammered. “You…!”
As a cultured man, he didn’t know how to argue with Isla and could only turn to Keira. “Keira, tell me, is what she saying true?”
Keira’s gaze was somber. “Mr. Horton and I are indee legally married. If the school has concerns about this, can present the marriage certificate.”
“You’re still hardheaded even now?” Isla scoffed, then suddenly said, “Oh right, there might be something you don’t know yet.”
Keira frowned. “What?”
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Isla said, “In two days, it’s our great-grandmother’s 86th birthday celebration. The Horton family is going to host it on a grand scale. While I and my mother-in-law were preparing, I saw the guest list. Our uncle’s wife will be returning on that day to make an appearance. Keira, maybe you don’t know that. My uncle’s wife has already returned to the country! I’ve even got her phone number. I can call right now to see who she really is!”
Having said that, Isla took out her mobile phone and opened the number she had recorded.
Keira glanced at it and couldn’t help but laugh.
Wasn’t that her own number?
143 Aunt
Isla had already dialed the number after saying that, a triumphant smile on her face as if to reveal the true face of the person in front of everyone.
1
Of course, the number she dialed wasn’t the one that
Keira usually used.
What Isla didn’t know was that Keira had several
phone numbers. One was commonly used and also what her acquaintances knew.
There were also several numbers designated for
different identities.
There was one exclusively for Dr. South, one for Nora the researcher, and several more. Sometimes she
couldn’t even remember which was which, so she
turned them all off.
“Contact me via email if there’s anything. Don’t distur
my normal life.”
So, when Isla dialed the number, the response from the other end was, “Sorry, the number you have dialed
is switched off…”
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Keira raised an eyebrow.
Isla, on the other hand, put down her phone but still insisted, “Keira, what are you so proud of? I asked around already, and my aunt doesn’t like to be
disturbed, which is why she turns off her phone. Since she’s going to attend my great-grandmother’s birthday banquet, that means my uncle is planning to make her identity public! By then, I’ll see how you will deal with
it!”
Keira shrugged. “Then you don’t need to worry about
it.”
Seeing her unyielding demeanor, Isla suddenly
laughed, “You don’t really believe, do you, that my uncle holds deep affection for her? Keira, guess who made the call just now that took my uncle away?!”
Keira was slightly startled upon hearing this.
Isla went on. “As far as I know, my aunt hasn’t been in good health and had always resided in a sanatorium abroad. During her days back in the country, she has also been staying in a sanatorium, and my uncle went to see her several times. They have deep feelings for each other. Back in the day, to marry her, my uncle
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went against everyone’s advice. For him to come here today is a joke! A call from my aunt and he immediately left you!”
Keira’s fingers tightened.
Suddenly, she remembered the day she was released from prison and hospitalized. Lewis was called away for an entire night. She also thought about last night when a phone call took him away, and he didn’t accompany her to the Olsens’…
Plus just now…
No matter how busy a person’s career was, they wouldn’t encounter emergencies so frequently.
Unless…
This emergency was one thing or one person!
Had he run into some trouble?
Keira’s brows knitted slightly with worry for Lewis.
But the concern on her face was misinterpreted by the others.
Isla immediately laughed. “You have nothing to say now, do you?”
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eth
She then looked around at the others, her eyes turning slightly red. “I know, maybe you all think I’ve been too aggressive today, but I just don’t want my aunt to lead a life interrupted by a third party like my mother did. Keira’s mother is the biggest rift between my parents, and it took them a lifetime to mend. Keira, I hope you won’t make any more mistakes. Have a good life with your husband, and don’t let your future children become another rift between my uncle and aunt!”
Her emotionally charged words made it impossible for anyone at the table to blame her anymore.
Indeed, Isla herself was a victim, and her targeting Keira seemed somewhat justifiable.
Even Charles opened his mouth and then closed it again, not sure what to say to defend Dr. South. He eventually only managed a faltering, “I believe Dr. South isn’t that kind of person.”
Jake scoffed. “Facts speak louder than words! If anyon here doesn’t believe what Isla says, I can send out the invitations! Then everyone can see for themselves who my aunt really is!”
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The certainty with which Isla and Jake spoke made everyone feel as if they had to believe them.
Keira, unable to carry her marriage certificate around to prove these things, simply lowered her gaze and said lightly, “Then we shall wait and see.”
She had already understood this principle: sometimes, some things one said weren’t necessarily believed by
others.
The birthday party ended in discord rather than joy.
The classmates left one after another, while Professor
Miller looked at Keira with concern. “Keira, are you
really married to Mr. Horton?”
Keira sighed, “Professor, it’s true.”
Still worried, Professor Miller said, “Keira, you’re still young with a promising future. Just don’t be misled b Mr. Horton’s appearance and go astray.”
Keira’s mouth twitched, wondering if Lewis knew he was being compared to the likes of a seductress. Would he be infuriated to death?
After sending off Professor Miller. Keira turned around
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and saw Charles looking at her from a short distance. away, his expression hesitant as if he had something to say. Worry was written all over his face, “Dr. South…”
Keira said, “Just call me Keira. We’re classmates.
There’s no need to be so formal.”
Charles cleared his throat. “Well, Keira, if you need any help, just tell me, or if you have any difficulties, you can also confide in me. I’ll help clear things up among our classmates…”
Keira rubbed her forehead.
She understood what Charles meant. He had always been the responsible one among their classmates and had shown such excellent quality that Samuel had chosen him to join her company.
Charles also didn’t believe that she and Lewis were
married. He was worried that she would be slandered
and wanted to help her explain…
Keira sighed. “I saw that Jake gave you an invitation just now, right? Then let’s meet at the banquet.”
Charles still looked concerned. “Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
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“…Alright.”
Charles walked away, only half-convinced.
At that moment, Keira’s phone rang. She picked it up, and Samuel’s voice came through, “Boss, I was going to deal with your classmate Erin, but I found out
someone beat me to it. She’s been fired by her
company, and she won’t be able to find work in Oceanion again.”
A fierce glint flashed in Keira’s eyes.
She was never one to be bullied. How could she possibly let Erin go after being humiliated by her repeatedly at the banquet today?
www
It was just a minor punishment to serve as a warning
to others.
Keira asked, “Is it possible to find out who helped?
“There are two forces, one is the Horton family, probably Lewis’s doing. The other is an expatriate named Scott, a well-known real estate tycoon from abroad. He’s been making quite the stir since coming to Crera, but why he would help you, I have no idea.”
Keira said, “Who knows.”
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After hanging up, she noticed a new message on
WhatsApp, sent by Scott. “Miss Olsen, I really like you. Can you give me your parasite?”
Keira was confused.
A murderous intent suddenly erupted in her eyes.
What was Scott’s deal? He helped her earlier but now sent a weird WhatsApp message to harass her?
Meanwhile, Scott, sitting in a luxurious car, was looking at an umbrella in his hand with a smile, telling his assistant, “This parasol marks the beginning of my fate with her. Asking her for it as a keepsake shouldn’t be too much, should it?”
The assistant said, “Not at all, but Boss, are you sure you wrote the right words in your text message?”
“Of course,” Scott said confidently. “I learned the Creran language well. I used handwriting input, so
there’s no mistake!”
The assistant doubted his confidence.
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But text messages were quite private for people like them, and it wasn’t appropriate for the assistant to
check for his boss.
Scott carefully placed the umbrella down, then looked to his assistant. “Get me an invitation to old Mrs.
Horton’s birthday banquet.”
Although he had left the private room, the events that had unfolded weren’t hidden from him.
Miss Olsen and Lewis didn’t seem to be husband and
wife.
If Lewis appeared with his wife at the event, then he would need to support Miss Olsen!
“Ding.”
His phone chimed, and Scott ‘s eyes brightened, “S Miss Olsen replied to my message!”
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144 Birthday Banquet
Scott glanced at WhatsApp, only to receive a message saying, “I don’t care who you are. Stop saying strange things.”
Scott was slightly taken aback and looked at his assistant in confusion. “Miss Olsen’s tone is a bit weird.
I don’t she’ll give me her parasol.”
The assistant replied, “Maybe it’s because you two aren’t very familiar with each other yet, Boss. You could send Miss Olsen more messages, and it’ll be
better when you’re more acquainted.”
Scott thought for a moment. “What should I write?”
The assistant suggested, “You could talk about everyday stuff, things like what happens around yo how you feel about things.”
Scott appeared contemplative.
The car exited the garage, and Scott turned his head, suddenly spotting a pile of dog poop on the ground. He frowned slightly, took out his phone, and continued messaging Keira.
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Lewis left that Bentley for Keira, and she didn’t hesitate to get in.
On the way back to the Horton mansion, her phone vibrated again. She picked it up and was surprised to find another message from Scott on WhatsApp. “I just saw a pile of dog poop in the garage, totally blew my mind!”
Keira was dumbfounded.
Her mouth twitched, and she thought this guy must
have some serious issues.
With a smirk, she replied, “I suggest you go and see a neurologist.”
The car soon returned to the Horton estate.
In the afternoon, Melissa and Isla got the who Horton family busy.
Old Mrs. Horton was 86 years old this year, and doctors had declared she only had a few months Everyone knew there would be no birthday like thi next year, so they made it a grand affair.
Even from old Mrs. Horton’s courtyard. one could hea
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the commotion from the main house.
Almost every one of the more than a hundred people in the Horton residence was bustling about.
By the night after next, probably every notable figure in Oceanion would be there. A lot of ingredients needed to be prepared, and nonperishable items were already being brought in by the truckload.
Old Mrs. Horton grimaced. “They’re making such a big fuss over a banquet. It’d be better to show me a bit more respect. Lewis will worry about me less!”
Keira just laughed. “Maybe everyone shows respect in their own way.”
Old Mrs. Horton took her hand.
“Granddaughter-in-law, do you know what I want th most for my birthday gift?”
Keira paused, then answered, “Tell me. As long as I c do it, I promise I’ll get it for you.”
After that, realizing what old Mrs. Horton was about to say, Keira quickly interjected. “But it can’t be a
great-grandson. With just two days’ notice, I can’t produce one for you!”
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Old Mrs. Horton laughed. “It’s alright if there’s no great-grandson. You see, I actually just want you to stay by that brat’s side. Can you promise me that if I’m gone, you won’t let him be too lonely by himself?”
Keira was stunned.
During her time with the Horton family, she had begun to understand something.
The old master of the Horton family was indifferent
toward Lewis, probably because Lewis’s mother’s divorce years ago made him view Lewis as a disgrace.
He was especially biased toward the first branch of the family, treating them like close relatives.
Lewis currently held 51% of the Horton Group’s shares because he was holding old Mrs. Horton’s shares in trust. If anything happened to old Mrs. Horton and h shares were inherited by her children and
grandchildren, Lewis’s stake in Horton Group would decrease, and the first branch would look for an
opportunity to attack…
Lewis was so outstanding, yet he was always guarded against by his biological father, plotted against by his elder brother, and abandoned by his biological mother
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when he was only seven months old.
In this family, aside from his grandmother, he truly had no one else to care about.
Keira suddenly felt a pang of pity for him.
She looked at old Mrs. Horton. The old lady’s eyes were clear and bright at that moment. Her face was etched with the marks of time, and her eyes were filled with tenderness and helplessness.
It was as if she was saying that she wanted to
accompany Lewis for a few more years, but fate wasn’t on her side…
Keira felt a pang in her heart and nodded vigorously. “Okay.”
Old Mrs. Horton then smiled. “I’m glad. The brat told me that at this banquet, your identities will be made public! My granddaughter-in-law, you’ll finally stand rightfully by his side. I’d like to see who dares to gossip
then!”
Only then did Keira understand why Isla had said that Lewis’s wife would be present at the birthday banquet; it was something Lewis and old Mrs. Horton had
announced to the public.
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She couldn’t help but feel amused. “Okay!”
Just as they finished their chat, the sound of footsteps approached. Isla, leading a group of people, walked in mightily. “Great-grandma, Melissa asked me to select a gown for you to wear that day. What do you think?”
Old Mrs. Horton waved her hand dismissively. “What I wear doesn’t really matter; it’s all about my granddaughter-in-law!”
She merrily took Keira’s hand, and together they looked through a bunch of gowns, finally settling on a light blue one. “This color complements your skin tone. Others wouldn’t look as good in it as you do!”
Seeing her enthusiasm, Keira nodded. “Okay.”
A dark light flickered in Isla’s eyes as she watched t
two of them.
But she said nothing and watched them select the dress. She then led the people away.
Halfway through, Isla suddenly stopped. She turned back to look at the gowns and finally picked out one similar in style to Keira’s light blue dress. Smiling sweetly, she said, “I’ll keep this one as well.”
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“Yes.”
144 Birthday Banquet
The brand manager responded respectfully.
The nanny beside Isla couldn’t help asking, “Ma’am, why keep this dress? Do you plan to wear it yourself?”
Isla gave her a glare. “How could that be possible?”
Why would she wear that dress? To compete with Keira for attention?
The thought had barely crossed her mind when Isla tightened her fists.
From a young age, she knew she couldn’t compare to Keira’s beauty.
Keira was tall and stunningly pretty while Isla, more resembling Taylor, looked good if dressed up, but otherwise was quite average
That was why, in the Olsen family, she never allowe Keira to wear gowns.
So why would she put herself up for comparison now
Keeping the dress was only for…
The corners of Isla’s mouth curled up. “My aunt has returned to the country and will be home that day. I
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suppose she hasn’t prepared any gowns, so I’m helping her get one ready.”
What was the simplest way to pit two women against each other? Obviously, a dress clash!
Her legendary aunt had never shown her face, and she definitely wouldn’t want to be overshadowed by
Lewis’s lover, would she?
By then, Isla wouldn’t need to instigate anything. Her aunt would confront Keira directly!
A look of satisfaction appeared in Isla’s eyes.
She quickly returned to the main house.
In the evening, when Jake got home from work, he started changing clothes and looked at her. “How are the preparations for the banquet going?”
Isla smiled. “Don’t worry, everything is ready. Keira’s reputation will be ruined, and she won’t be able to say
face!”
Jake nodded.
Soon, two days passed by.
The time for old Mrs. Horton’s birthday banquet had
145 Perfect Match
The Horton family had been bustling since the
morning.
When Keira woke up and stepped out, she saw Lewis unexpectedly not off to work early, but sitting on the living room sofa.
She stretched languidly and sauntered over, raising an eyebrow to ask, “Don’t you need to go to the office today?”
She had just woken up. Her well-rested cheeks were glowing and shiny without any makeup. Her skin was fair, and her lips were plump and red.
In her loungewear, she was the very picture of relaxed
comfort.
Lewis withdrew his gaze, glanced at the time, and said indifferently, “I have a meeting at ten, something to take care of at three in the afternoon, and I’ll be back by the dinner party.”
Keira nodded. “Then why aren’t you leaving yet?”
Lewis cleared his throat and stood up. “Grandma
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wants us to try on the clothes first.”
Keira blinked in surprise, “Huh?”
Lewis walked over, his tall stature looming as he approached, and with a slight cough he said, “Follow
me.”
Keira trailed behind him, and they reached the dressing room where she immediately spotted the evening gown old Mrs. Horton had chosen for her. Under the light, the gown shimmered with golden threads, and at the neckline lay a gemstone necklace. The combination was quite luxurious.
Next to the gown hung a black tuxedo.
The tie was blue, and the cufflinks matched the jewelry with the gown. They were clearly designed for a couple.
Keira immediately understood why Lewis had bee somewhat bashful just now. She found old Mrs. Ho to be incredibly adorable!
She was always playing little tricks in situations like these.
Keira smiled as she looked at Lewis, catching a fleeting
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glimpse of joy on his face. Though expressionless, it was apparent he was in a good mood.
Keira stepped forward to grab the clothes. “Is your
trouble sorted?”
Lewis blinked, “What?”
“The urgent issue over the phone…”
Lewis frowned slightly, and through his subtle expression, Keira realized the problem was probably still there. She was about to ask if he needed help when Lewis suddenly drew closer.
Step by step, he closed in, forcing Keira to retreat until she was backed against the closet. But he didn’t stop his advance. Instead, he leaned down slowly toward
her.
Keira’s eyes widened, and her heartbeat accelerated
wildly.
In the next moment, he whispered in her ear. “Miss. Olsen, shouldn’t you be considering whether these two pieces of clothing match, rather than that?”
His breath against her neck tickled, making her skin flush involuntarily.
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…She had been teased!
Keira struggled to calm her racing heart. Just as Lewis was about to look up, she suddenly smiled, grabbed his collar, and pulled down, making him bend forward and lean in closer to her again.
Keira also leaned into his ear. “Then Mr. Horton, do
you think there’s anything inappropriate with these
clothes?”
Lewis had been teased right back!
His gaze fixated on the lips so close to his, momentarily dazed, then he said, “How can I tell
without trying them on?”
“Let’s try them on then.”
Keira let go of his collar.
They both took a step back, each exhaling slightly with relief, then picked up their respective clothes and entered the opposite dressing rooms.
The moment she closed the door, Keira leaned against the wall, her hand on her wildly beating heart, but
there was a smile on her lins
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Two minutes later.
Keira had changed into her gown and walked out, her attention immediately captured by Lewis’s appearance.
He always carried himself with such seriousness,
turning suits into uniform attire, but now, adorned in a tuxedo, his tall and handsome qualities were instantly highlighted.
At this moment, he looked like a gentleman stepping out of a European royal portrait, exuding an air of nobility.
As Keira was sizing him up, Lewis was also looking at
her.
She usually preferred comfortable clothes and seldom wore formal gowns. Even without makeup, she was already dazzling…
As they were looking at each other, old Mrs. Horton’s voice rang out. “Fiona, look at them. They’re truly a match made in heaven, a perfect pair! The children they’ll have will definitely be good-looking!”
She was sneakily peeking from the doorway.
- Keira, about your relationship with Mr. Horton, it’s
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