75 In the Spotlight
Keira came to this banquet intending to reconcile Lewis and the Allen family.
But now, after some serious thought, she realized that the possibility was quite small.
Lewis, who seemed cool and gentlemanly, was actually very considerate and gentle.
Whether it was during their time in the hospital, or just now when they were changing into banquet attire, he always managed to make her feel comfortable with his attention to detail.
If a man like him wanted to reconcile with the Allen family, he would subtly ensure that they had a good impression of him.
So, in truth, it wasn’t that he wouldn’t reconcile with the Allen family, but rather that he wouldn’t reconcile with his biological mother.
Although Keira didn’t understand why he tricked her into coming to the banquet, if Lewis was unwilling to let go, helping Jalen to connect with the Allen family
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would at least improve their situation within the
company.
Of course, Lewis might not care about any of this at
all.
Jalen was taken aback by her words. “You know the Allen family?”
“Yes, I’ve done them a small favor.”
As Keira said this, she prepared to walk toward the Allens who were standing in another corner of the banquet hall, but suddenly music filled the venue!
The celebratory banquet’s classic event, the dance, had begun!
The attendees standing in the middle of the hall consciously moved to the sides, clearing the dance
floor.
Keira stopped in her tracks, deciding to wait till the dance was over.
People began to look for dance partners.
Someone approached her. “Miss, may I have this dance?”
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Not far away, Lewis was sitting on a sofa, chatting with a few corporate executives.
Someone tentatively asked, “Mr. Horton, the dance has begun. Aren’t you going to join?”
Lewis declined casually, “I’d rather not.”
“Mr. Horton, you’re so faithful to Mrs. Horton. How upright of you! What an example you set for us!”
Everyone teased him in good humor.
Hearing the mention of Mrs. Horton, Lewis’s gaze shifted toward Keira’s corner, and on seeing what was going on there, his face stiffened.
He noticed several men surrounding her, inviting her
to dance.
More men were hungrily watching from afar.
Most of them were promising, unmarried employees from the Horton Group!
Lewis suddenly stood up and, after a brief apology,
strode toward Keira.
As he approached, he heard her repeatedly declining
invitations. “I’m sorry, I don’t dance.”
Some men, perceiving a soft refusal, would depart gracefully while others. The thick-skinned ones would press on. “That’s alright. I can teach you.”
“… Not interested.”
“Are you uninterested in dancing? Or are you uninterested in me? You need to choose someone out
of all of us to avoid a constant stream of invitations.”
Keira was getting annoyed by the harassment and simply said, “I already have a dance partner.”
The man wouldn’t back off, “Who?”
“Me.”
A low, magnetic voice suddenly came from behind, making everyone turn to look. Lewis was standing
there.
Those men were taken aback. “Mr. Horton.”
Lewis didn’t acknowledge them but walked directly to Keira. “Sorry for keeping you waiting”
Once they saw Lewis approach Keira, the men
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surrounding her immediately dispersed, leaving the corner quiet again.
Then, an excited cheer resonated through the hall.
Keira turned to look and saw Jake holding Isla’s hand, leading her onto the stage.
Jake, having recently graduated, had an infectious youthful energy about him.
Isla was wearing a pink evening gown, blushing bashfully.
After they stepped onto the stage, instead of starting to dance, Jake stepped back and took a microphone. “Isla, I’d like to tell you something with so many witnesses here today.”
Isla’s eyes sparkled tenderly, and her sweet smile mad her glow.
Jake said, “To be honest, I was blindsided by some distractions during university, and I never noticed you. But after spending time with you recently, I’ve
discovered your kindness and cuteness, as well as your gentle and considerate way of treating others. Your hard work bridged the gap between Mr. Allen and me, and our relationship has improved and this pleasant
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collaboration has happened.
Once he finished speaking, those around them started
talking.
“I knew there was a good reason for the close relationship between young Mr. Horton and Mr. Allen. Turns out it’s thanks to Miss Olsen’s efforts!”
“That’s how we should do business. We should be broad-minded and moving beyond the grudges from older generations that are frankly unnecessary.”
“I heard Miss Olsen’s mother, Mrs. Olsen, is from Clance. I bet Miss Olsen couldn’t only connect us with Mr. Allen but could also create a partnership with the Davis family from Clance in the future!”
All these compliments reached Isla’s ears, which mad her look pleasantly surprised.
She knew that Jake was doing this to raise her social standing! After all, the Olsen family wasn’t too wealthy, and her marrying Jake was a step up, but now she had gained new confidence!
Of course, this wasn’t because Jake loved her so much,
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but because honoring his wife meant honoring himself since high society held that husband and wife were
one!
With a smile on her face, Isla said, “Jake, this is what I ought to do.”
Jake then took a small exquisite box from his pocket and opened it to reveal a three-carat diamond ring!
He knelt on one knee and held up the ring. “Isla, will you marry me?”
Isla instinctively covered her mouth, her eyes welling up with tears.
“Marry him! Marry him!”
“Miss Olsen and young Mr. Horton are truly a match made in heaven! A divine marriage!”
“They’re indeed a perfect pair!”
With everyone’s encouragement, Isla, overjoyed, extended her hand, and the three-carat ring was finally on her finger. What a satisfactory sight!
Once the ring was on, the couple embraced and initiated the first dance of the evening.
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Although many more people joined in the dance later on, the spotlight of the banquet had already been taken by Jake and Isla!
Keira arched her eyebrow at Lewis. “Maybe we should skip the dance.”
So as not to seem like Lewis was envious of his nephew’s popularity.
Jalen, who had been standing to one side, grumbled unhappily. “Jake certainly knows how to pick his moments. Now, who remembers that you and the Allen family negotiated this cooperation? Everyone will think it’s all due to his and his fiancée’s efforts!”
Lewis didn’t care about this at all. He took out his
vibrating phone and said to Keira, “I have to take a
call.”
“Alright.”
With Lewis gone, Jalen watched him from behind and confided to Keira. “Something about my cousin’s behavior toward you seems off.”
Keira raised her eyebrow. “How so?”
Jalen said, “Why does he need to tell you that he’s
taking a call?”
Since when did his cousin need to inform others about
his activities?
Keira didn’t think anything of it when her phone vibrated, and she saw a message from Rebecca. “Miss Olsen, I’m at the banquet too. I couldn’t find you in the restroom. Where are you now? I’ll come to see you.”
Keira replied, “I’m in the northeast corner.”
Rebecca said, “Ok, be right there.”
