Chapter 696


    Finally, the elevator stopped. Seeing rence walk out with Ste, the two people breathed sighs of


    relief, only to find their backs were sweaty.


    Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    Seemed like the anniversary party would be a battlefield.


    Entering the banquet hall, Ste took rence’s arm, lowered her head, and smiled faintly.


    He was always like this, fierce, intimidating, tough.


    She believed that the two men might have PTSD when hearing the word “Conrad” in the future.


    Since too many people were attending the anniversary party, even thergest banquet hall in the hotel


    couldn’t hold them all. Hence, the celebration upied two floors.


    The first floor was for employees of Conrad Group and its branches. The other floor was for celebrities


    from the business, politics, and entertainment circles.


    Almost all attendees had arrived in the hall. They were holding sses and socializing.


    They stopped discussing in unison when they saw rence and Ste, staring at them with different


    expressions.


    It was the first time for rence to show up after quitting Conrad Group one month ago.


    rence tilted his head and nced at them indifferently. The crowd withdrew their gazes, pretending


    as if nothing had happened.


    Ste looked around. Within the crowd, she saw Chassell, who was talking to someone.


    She raised her eyebrows in surprise.


    rence followed her gaze and asked, “What happened?”


    Ste asked, “When did hee out of the hospital?”


    “Several days ago.”


    “It has been more than a month. He’s supposed to be recovered. But... why there are still scabby


    wounds on his face?”


    rence said, “Probably he got beaten again.”


    Ste withdrew her gaze, looking into rence’s eyes. Slightly tilting her head, she looked at him with


    questioning gaze.


    rence exined calmly, “You are right. No one except Channing can do it.”


    “Did he bother Winnie again?”


    “Haven’t you heard a saying? A man could only behave himself when he was dead.” After a pause,


    rence added, “Of course, I’m the exception.”


    “You''re thest man on earth that would be the exception.”


    rence choked.


    Right then, probably Chassell sensed their gazes, so he turned around. His smile stiffened


    immediately, and his face turned cold with hatred. Quickly, he withdrew his gaze and continued to


    socialize as if nothing had happened.


    Ste asked, “When will the charity banquet start?”


    “At nine.”


    “We need to wait for a long time, then.”


    Hence, they nned to find a ce to sit. Caesar came over with a ss of wine. “Good evening, Mr.


    Conrad, Ms. Radomil.”


    rence didn’t respond, but it wasn’t the right time to fall out with him, so Ste nodded at him politely


    in response.


    Caesar wasn’t surprised by rence’s attitude. He said to Ste, “Ms. Radomil, I’m afraid I must


    apologize to you.”


    Ste answered tly, “Mr. James, what for?”


    Caesar continued, “Earlier, I bought the ring from Mr. Barret and wanted to give it to you, but you


    rejected I happened to know there was a charity banquet at the anniversary celebration of Conrad


    Group. Since I don’t need it, I want to use it to help people in need, making it worthy of the original


    owner’s initial intention.”


    Ste said perfunctorily, “Mr. James, I admire your decision.”


    “Thank you, Ms. Radomil. I was just inspired by the ring’s original owner.”


    In a haste to end this conversation, Ste stopped talking was about to leave, but there was an uproar


    at the entrance.


    She looked over at once, and seemed to have spotted a familiar figure.


    Murmuring was heard in the crowds.


    “Who is that? He’s so handsome.”


    “Exactly! I thought Mr. Conrad was the most handsome man I met with an overwhelming aura, but this


    man is as charming as him.”


    “Between him and Mr. Conrad, who do you think is better?”


    “I can’t tell...”


    “Don''t you think he looks like Mr. Conrad?”


    “Yes. I agree. I also noticed that. Was he God''s proudest creation 2.0?”


    “Sure enough, handsome men are alike.”


    Ste could tell they were talking about Darnell James.


    In the buzz of the crowds, Darnell slowly walked to them.


    However, someone next to him dashed towards Ste.


    Off-guard, Ste stumbled backward because of it as she was on high heels.


    rence raised his arm to hold her by the waist.


    ine hugged Ste in excitement. “I miss you so much, Ste!”


    Ste smiled and patted her on the back. “I’m d you are fine.”


    ine had been swollen with grievances in the past few days, but no one listened to her. When she


    was ready toin to Ste, she heard a cold voice. “Let go of her.”


    She had to release Ste reluctantly, took a step back, and pouted. “I just miss Ste...”


    When Ste was about to speak, Caesar said, “ine, you almost knocked down Ms. Radomil.”


    Upon hearing his voice, ine turned around in a hurry and looked more joyful. “Uncle Caesar! Why


    are you here? Well... are you alright? Did they give you a hard time?”


    Caesar shook his head with a smile. “Not at all. It’s all my fault. I couldn’t stop them from taking you


    away.”


    “Please don’t say that, Uncle Caesar. I was too willful. If it weren’t... By the way, how was Sherry? Did


    you send her to the hospital?”


    Before ine finished her words, someone grabbed her arm and dragged her aside.


    She looked up unhappily but had to be cooperative.


    Darnell stood in front of Caesar, staring at him calmly.


    Caesar smiled. “Long time no see.”


    “Indeed.”


    Caesar said, “ine is too young, so she always makes mistakes. Please don’t mind.”


    Darnell cast a nce at the girl, who was approaching Ste silently, and said tly, “You seem not


    surprised to see her with me.”


    Caesar said, “I’ve been looking for ine in the past few days. I heard she was rescued by someone,


    so I guessed it might be you.”


    “Really?”


    Caesar smiled at Darnell.


    Darnell continued, “Since you are so good at guessing, why don’t you guess what will happen next?”


    Caesar said, “It’s the anniversary celebration of Conrad Group. There''ll be a ceremony and a charity


    banquet next.”


    Neither of them spoke again, but it was evident that the atmosphere between them had dropped to the


    freezing point, getting more and more intense.


    Under pressure, ine tugged Darnell’s sleeve and whispered, “What are you doing? You can scold


    me, but please don’t me my uncle.”


    Darnell looked over at her and said in a rarely calm tone, “Not even scolding can’t save your empty


    brain.”