Chapter 7 The Birthday Banquet
Sophia's movement paused as she listened to Henry's words.
Her hand rested on the car door handle, hesitating for a moment, as if contemplating something.
"No." She turned to look at Henry, her radiant face showing no excess emotion. "There are many matters on the Miller family. It's inconvenient."
Sophia brushed him off with an excuse.
Since she had said it was over, it should end cleanly.
She and he had always been in a transactional relationship of mutual benefit. Now that the transaction had expired, naturally, they should exit gracefully.
"Is that so?"
The next second, Henry suddenly leaned closer, his cedar scent mixed with a faint tobacco aroma washing over her. "What about this?"
With that, he had already leaned down and kissed her.
Unlike the kiss in the woods, this one carried a hint of roughness, yet concealed an inexplicable grievance.
Sophia's breathing hitched, her heart skipping a beat beyond her control, heat quickly spreading across her face.
A few seconds later, Henry released her, his voice hoarse. "Now what? Still inconvenient?"
Sophia abruptly turned her face away, her ear tips red as if about to bleed.
She forcefully shook off his hand and pulled open the car door. "Stop fooling around."
This time, he didn't stop her.
Sophia almost fled from the car, walking quickly toward the Miller Manor's main gate.
Only after the gate closed heavily behind her did she stop, raising her hand to press against her burning cheeks.
The inexplicable flutter in her heart was quickly suppressed.
It was merely being unaccustomed to the sudden end of two years of companionship.
Between her and Henry, this was as far as it could go.
...
A week later, Gavin's birthday banquet.
The Miller Manor's courtyard was decorated with lanterns and festoons everywhere, with luxury cars filling even the entrance.
Those who could receive invitations to the birthday banquet were all prominent figures. Even several business tycoons who rarely appeared in public had carefully prepared gifts to attend.
At the entrance, Sophia wore a moon-white gown while greeting guests.
Her figure was already perfect, and now with the gown's enhancement, her curvaceous silhouette was displayed to perfection.
Seeing familiar elders approaching, Sophia graciously went to greet them. "Zack, you finally made it. Grandfather was just mentioning you."
Unlike her wooden obedience when she first arrived, her tone was now natural, her demeanor composed, every gesture displaying proper etiquette.
This was the skill she had cultivated during her two years with the Miller family.
Just then, a commotion arose at the entrance.
Sophia looked up to see Oliver walking in hand-in-hand with Clara.
She let out a cold laugh.
At such an occasion, Oliver dared to brazenly bring Clara along, truly trampling the Miller family's dignity underfoot.
Oliver's expression wasn't pleasant.
Having gained nothing at the auction that day, he could only pick some jade carvings from the antique district as gifts.
Though refined, compared to the antiques at the auction, they were inferior by more than just one level.
In the main hall, Gavin was talking with several old comrades-in-arms.
When he saw Oliver behind them, Gavin's brow furrowed imperceptibly. "Since you're here, sit properly and don't cause me trouble."
This blatant disdain left Oliver somewhat embarrassed.
However, he didn't dare contradict Gavin, so he could only pull Clara to sit in a corner.
Meanwhile, not far away, Sophia was helping Gavin entertain guests, keeping herself busy.
Sunlight fell on her hair, and amidst the noisy banquet, her bright and gracious appearance made her particularly eye-catching in the crowd.
When most guests had arrived and were seated according to their positions, the crystal chandelier dimmed.
Gavin, wearing a sharp-looking suit, slowly walked onto the stage.
"Thank you all for attending. Without further words, let me toast to everyone first."
Applause erupted from below.
Just as the atmosphere reached its peak, a small commotion suddenly arose at the banquet hall entrance.
Guests turned their heads one after another, and Oliver followed their gaze.
But upon seeing the newcomer, his brow instantly furrowed.
How could it be him?
The man walking in front wore a dark gray suit—it was exactly that rich kid who had been outbidding him at the auction!
Sophia also looked toward the sound, and seeing the person beside that rich kid, her pupils contracted in shock.
How had Henry come, too?
The two men stood at the entrance, carrying their own aura, even making the security guards at the door unconsciously straighten up.
Seeing the newcomers, sharp-eyed guests instantly recognized them.
"Isn't that Declan, the Smith family heir? How did he come?"
"The Smith family just swallowed up the southern energy project last month. They've been closely associated with the Windsor family in recent years. Their current momentum rivals even the Windsor family."
This wasn't an exaggeration.
The Smith family was truly old nobility in Emerald City, with foundations three generations deeper than the Miller family, holding resources that the Miller family couldn't reach even with their utmost efforts.
The two families weren't even in the same dimension. Why would Declan Smith attend the Miller family's birthday banquet?
Hearing the nearby conversations, Oliver's throat tightened, belatedly feeling a wave of panic.
The buyer number one who had outbid him that day was actually Declan?
Gavin's heart also felt somewhat unsettled.
Though the Smith family was a top-tier elite, the Miller family and the Smith family moved in different circles without overlapping industries, having virtually zero interaction for decades.
Why would Declan suddenly visit?
But Gavin had weathered great storms after all. The surprise on his face flashed by momentarily, then was replaced by a warm smile.
"Declan, your presence honors me. How has your father been lately?"
Declan walked up to Gavin with considerable composure. "My dad's doing great. You should really visit him for chess more often."
As he spoke, he took a box from the bodyguard behind him and presented it to Gavin. "Today I'm here to deliver a gift on behalf of a friend. Wishing you good health."
Declan's response was flawless. He neither explained why he had come nor used the gift-giving pretext to explain his visit, deflecting all probing attempts.
Gavin accepted the box, feeling its substantial weight and already having an idea.
But he had no mind to delve into Declan's true purpose for coming today. The Smith family's status was unassailable, and Declan's visit was a rare opportunity."
The Smith family had close ties with the Windsor family. If he could use the Smith family as a bridge, perhaps he could meet the legendary heir of the Windsor family.
If only the Windsor family would relent and return the stolen cooperation, the Miller family's business could be saved.
With this thought, Gavin's gaze fell on Oliver nearby. "Go toast Mr. Smith and have a good chat."
Oliver was reluctant, but under Gavin's gaze, he could only steel himself and pick up his wine glass.
He walked to the main table, forcing a smile. "Mr. Smith, I may have been offensive at the previous auction. Let me toast to you."
Declan didn't immediately raise his glass. Instead, he glanced sideways at Henry beside him, his eyes carrying a hint of amusement.
Oliver's hand froze, his smile stiff.
Oliver took a deep breath, about to say something more, when Henry suddenly interrupted.
"You're Oliver?" Henry's voice wasn't loud, but carried natural pressure.
He looked up at Oliver, his eyes filled with confusion. "I think I've heard this name somewhere. Isn't this the one who ran off with a woman for two years, making the Miller family the laughingstock of all Emerald City?"