Erik had gone to pick up Janelle. However, unexpectedly, Jiang Chao had also arrived at her place. Both gentlemen had extended invitations to her. Janelle didn't hesitate at all, directly deciding that the three of them would come together. Problem solved. Neither of them would be disappointed.
Upon entering the banquet hall, Erik immediately wrapped his arm around Janelle's slender waist, shooting Jiang Chao a triumphant glance. He was Janelle's man. Even though they arrived together, he was Janelle's escort. As for Jiang Chao, he could stand aside.
"Hah." Jiang Chao couldn't help but laugh. Childish. Who would have thought the formidable Mr. Lorenz could be so childish? Is he really that infatuated with our little junior sister?
Janelle wanted to swat his hand away. But seeing everyone watching, she decided it wasn't worth the argument.
The moment Janelle appeared, Nelson felt himself react involuntarily. Whenever she appeared, he couldn't control his gaze. Janelle was like a beam of light; wherever she was, it was impossible to look away. Seeing the two men beside her, Nelson felt suffocated. The feeling was agonizing. Yet, there was no trace of him left in her eyes. Between them, not a shred of possibility remained. He even wondered if Janelle had ever truly liked him at all.
Lillie still clung to Nelson's arm. She felt it clearly – the moment Janelle appeared, light sparked in this man's eyes. This damnable man! She was his fiancée, standing right here! And yet, his mind was already elsewhere?
"Nelson, do you still like her?" Lillie felt as if a knife were twisting in her heart. She did care for him; if she didn't, she wouldn't have been so humble to be with him in the first place. All her hard work was also so she could marry him properly. But why did he always treat her like this?
Nelson forced himself to look away. Did he still like her? He didn't know, but a deep sense of resentment churned within him.
Bruce Aleen also spotted Janelle. Seeing her in the black gown, his eyes instantly lit up. The black dress looked stunning on her. Her fair skin, contrasted against the black, seemed even more luminous. Seeing Bruce Aleen like this, Mr. Aleen sighed inwardly.
"Mr. Aleen, does young Mr. Aleen like Janelle? I don't mean to be rude, but Janelle isn't worthy of young Mr. Aleen," Mrs. Hill began to slander Janelle. "Look, in a place full of people, she's a young woman entangled with two men."
Mr. Aleen frowned. "Mr. Aleen, I know I shouldn't say these things, but as a mother, I'm genuinely concerned for you."
"Mrs. Hill, worry about yourself! Miss Rovella is wonderful. I like her," Bruce Aleen retorted, unable to listen any longer. He finished speaking and headed straight for Janelle.
"Mr. Aleen, I..." Mrs. Hill was stunned that Bruce Aleen would publicly rebuff her like this. She tried to say more, but Mr. Aleen didn't give her the chance.
"Mrs. Hill, enjoy yourself." With that, he too went to find Janelle. He genuinely admired Janelle's plan. For tomorrow's bidding, he personally leaned towards her.
Seeing him personally go to greet Janelle, Mrs. Hill tightened her grip on her champagne flute. "Has something happened that I don't know about?" she asked Lillie beside her.
Lillie shook her head. She didn't know either. "I only know Janelle is also participating in tomorrow's bidding session, Auntie. Could she steal the project?"
Mrs. Hill snorted coldly. "Her? Janelle? Trying to steal my project? Impossible in this lifetime." Mrs. Hill felt deeply unsettled. In Graham City, everyone fawned over the Hills. Yet Mr. Aleen hadn't given her any face. He treated them coolly, but was incredibly warm towards Janelle. It was infuriating to watch, making the discomfort even more acute.
Janelle introduced Jiang Chao to Mr. Aleen. "Mr. Aleen, this is Jiang Chao. He's the data analyst for our project this time."
Mr. Aleen naturally knew of Jiang Chao. He hadn't expected Blue Whale Co., Ltd. to secure his services. "I've long heard of your reputation. I've wanted to invite you to the Aleens Group before, but unfortunately, we never had the chance to collaborate." This wasn't flattery; it was sincere. The Aleens Group had once tried to hire Jiang Chao for a project, but he declined due to lack of time. They hadn't even met.
"Well, we're collaborating now, aren't we? Mr. Aleen, rest assured. Our project won't disappoint you." His little junior sister never disappointed, no matter what she did. Her ability surpassed all her senior brothers. Their master had always hoped she would take over the school, but her ambitions lay elsewhere.
Seeing Jiang Chao offer his hand first, Mr. Aleen immediately shook it. He suddenly felt coming to develop in Graham City was absolutely the right decision. Who knew Graham City hid such talents? The Aleens Group could very well reach new heights.
Mr. Aleen only had eyes for Jiang Chao, while Bruce Aleen only had eyes for Janelle. "Miss Rovella, you look truly beautiful tonight," Bruce Aleen couldn't help but say. Whenever she appeared, he couldn't look away. The girl was genuinely captivating.
"..." Erik was thoroughly exasperated. The little girl was too alluring. She did nothing, yet men flocked to her. And they were persistent suitors he couldn't easily shoo away.
"Thank you," Janelle replied distantly.
Bruce Aleen handed her a glass of champagne. Janelle took it, clinking her glass against his. "Young Mr. Aleen, a toast to you."
"Miss Rovella, you don't need to be so formal. We can be friends," Bruce Aleen said, his infatuation clear.
Erik had seen enough. He stepped forward, blocking Bruce Aleen's view. Was he invisible?
Bruce Aleen shot Erik an annoyed look. He was blocking his view of Miss Rovella! However, Erik's gaze sent a chill down his spine.
Wherever Janelle appeared, she was the focus. Watching this, Lillie felt a bitter taste in her mouth. Wasn't she the most capable one now? Yet everyone seemed blind to her existence. Perhaps once she truly entered the Research Institute, things would be different. Sooner or later, she would crush Janelle under her heel and make everyone know that the Rovellas had only one true heiress: Lillie.
Janelle wore a pair of black high heels today. The heels were a bit high. After standing for only a short while, her heels were already rubbed red. Honestly, she really disliked occasions like this.
Erik noticed her discomfort. He pulled her aside. "Making an appearance at events like this is enough. Rest here for a while."