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Linda froze and pursed her lips.
She took a slow breath, regaining her composure. A forced smile appeared on her lips. “Is that so? I suppose it must be Leo’s doing,” she murmured, trying to sound indifferent.
But deep down, she couldn’t shake the bitterness.
Tonight was supposed to be her night. She had planned everything so carefully, ensured that her event would be the highlight.
Yet, in the end, the person she wanted to impress the most hadn’t even bothered to show up.
And worse–Colton, a man of importance, had chosen Nora’s side.
As she raised her glass to her lips, her mind was already working, calculating her next move.
This wasn’t over.
Linda’s expression stiffened, her fingers tightening subtly around the delicate stem of her wine glass.
She forced herself to exhale slowly, willing her frustration to dissipate. “It doesn’t matter,” she told herself. Even if Colton had chosen to show up at Nora’s event, it wouldn’t change the inevitable.
Nora lacked the charm and ability to hold his interest for long. She was simply an insignificant distraction.
Still… something gnawed at her.
Where was Arnold?
For a brief moment, she entertained the possibility that he, too, had gone to Nora’s side.
The idea made her stomach tighten, but she quickly dismissed it.
No, Arnold was practical, indifferent to sentiment. There was no reason for him to waste his time on Nora’s banquet.
And yet…
Back at the old lady’s banquet, a lively discussion had started between Nora and Colton. Leo had joined in, and for the first time that evening, Nora found herself somewhat at ease. She still felt wary of Colton’s presence, but at least the atmosphere wasn’t as tense as before.
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Then, a deep, steady voice cut through the noise.
“Sorry for being late.”
Nora’s breath hitched.
She knew that voice..
Slowly, she turned, her heart betraying her by skipping a beat.
Arnold stood before her, composed as ever. His tall, lean figure exuded quiet authority, as if he had never doubted his presence here.
His dark eyes flickered briefly over the guests, but when they settled on Nora, something unreadable flashed within them.
The lively chatter at the old lady’s birthday banquet took a sudden pause when the doors to the banquet hall swung open. Arnold stepped in, his presence effortlessly commanding attention.
The guests exchanged uncertain glances, and the old lady herself, seated at the head of the table, visibly stiffened.
Arnold walked forward with a composed, almost deliberate pace, carrying a neatly wrapped gift box. His expression was respectful but unreadable, his posture poised.
“Grandmother,” he said smoothly, placing the gift on the table before her. “Happy birthday.”
The room fell silent as everyone turned their eyes to the old lady, waiting for her response.
She remained still for a few moments, her fingers lightly grazing the edge of her teacup.
Then, without even opening the present, she nodded once–acknowledging his words, but offering nothing more.
“Thank you,” she said coolly, her voice devoid of warmth.
Her lack of enthusiasm was evident, and a few guests shifted uncomfortably in their seats.
The unspoken tension in the air was thick, like a weight pressing down on the gathering.
Yet Arnold’s composure did not waver. If he was hurt by the old lady’s indifference, he gave no indication.
Instead, he simply inclined his head and turned toward the dinner table, where he took an empty seat between Colton and Nora–disrupting the usual seating arrangement.
Nora cast him a wary glance but said nothing. Colton, however, raised an eyebrow at the unexpected
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After Heh, Alpha father and ……..
Chapter 83
placement.
As the meal continued, Arnold effortlessly steered the conversation toward design–a subject th
instantly caught Colton’s attention.
“The gemstone industry has always been one of Silvermoon Pack’s strongest assets,” Arnold remarked, swirling the wine in his glass.
“But I’ve been wondering–what’s your take on integrating more modern design elements into traditional gemstone cuts? There’s a rising market for pieces that blend classic craftsmanship with contemporary aesthetics.”
Colton, a man who rarely found conversations stimulating at these gatherings, visibly perked up.
“Interesting thought,” he mused, adjusting his glasses.
“Are you suggesting a fusion of old–world techniques with a minimalist approach? Because I’ve seen some emerging trends in European markets that hint at something similar.”
Arnold nodded, his tone thoughtful. “Exactly. I think there’s untapped potential there. Silvermoon’s raw minerals are already world–renowned, but the next step is innovating how they’re presented. The right design can elevate their worth even further.”
Leo, who had been quietly listening, leaned forward with interest.
“You have a point,” he admitted. “Traditional pieces have their charm, but modern buyers are drawn to versatility. A gemstone piece that balances both worlds would appeal to a broader market.”
Nora found herself unintentionally drawn into the discussion. She hadn’t expected Arnold to be so knowledgeable in this field, nor had she expected the entire atmosphere of the main table to shift because
of him.
The previous stiffness of the gathering gradually melted away, replaced by a more engaged, business–like dialogue centered around Arnold’s insights.
For a brief moment, even the old lady’s sharp gaze flickered toward Arnold, as if surprised by his influence.
As the conversation unfolded, a server approached to pour hot soup into Nora’s bowl. She was distracted, her attention still on the discussion, when suddenly-
“Ow!”
The soup was scalding, and a sharp sting shot up her fingers as she instinctively recoiled.
Before she could even react further, Arnold’s hand closed gently around hers, pulling her fingers into his
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palm as he examined them with a quiet intensity.
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Chapter 84
