<b>Chapter </b><b>58 </b>


    Theodore entered with an air of striking handsomeness and aristocratic grace.


    The customers in the store couldn’t help but stop their movements, closing their mouths and maintaining silence as they turned their heads toward the man.


    The Edwards family truly lived up to their reputation as Maeloria’s top dogs. The tension and respect subconsciously exhibited by everyone in Theodore’s presence represented not only the Edwards family but also


    Theodore’s status in Maeloria.


    Patrick patted Debra’s hand and quickly greeted him with a smile, “Mr. Edwards.”


    His greeting and smile made it <b>seem </b>as if he hadn’t spat in Theodore’s face just a few days ago.


    When Theodore saw Patrick, his eyes widened slightly in disbelief. How could this man be here? What was his rtionship with the Carter family?


    Theodore pondered, his gaze crossing the man to scan the venue, and sure enough, he soon spotted Reba


    inside.


    Theodore’s gaze was intense as he stared at Reba.


    Debra furrowed her brow, discreetly pulling Reba behind her.


    Patrick observed everything, smiling as he said, “Mr. Edwards, the seating has been arranged. This way, please.”


    “Are you a member of the Carter family?” Theodore stared at Patrick, questioning in a cold tone.


    Patrick smiled, “Mr. Edwards, you think too highly of me. Though myst name is Carter too, I’m just a worker for the Carter family.”


    He was a worker for his wife, working hard to buy her anything she wanted.


    “But I manage most of the Carter family’s business in the country.”


    Then, Patrick smiled, “Mr. Edwards, this way.”


    Theodore nodded and walked inside.


    Jenny held Theodore’s arm, curiously inspecting the decor of the store. She was filled with curiosity about everything in Zentiscape.


    With the ribbon–cutting ceremony was about tomence, the host of Carter’s Jewel stood on stage, delivering formal speeches and lengthy ounts of Carter’s Jewel’s history and glory.


    <b>83</b><b>% </b>


    <b>15:49 </b>Sat, 20 <b>Jul </b>


    Soon, the staff reminded them that the nned time for the ribbon–cutting was approaching, prompting the host to halt the speech.


    “We are delighted to have you all here to participate in the ribbon–cutting ceremony for the opening of Carter’s Jewel branch here. Now, please join me in weing our spokesperson, Mr. Charlie Carter and Ms. Reba Mitchell, to lead everyone to the entrance for the official ribbon–cutting ceremony!”


    As the host’s words fell, Theodore’s eyes widened once more in surprise. Reba was the spokesperson for Carter’s Jewel?


    Why?


    On what grounds?


    Why would Carter’s Jewel choose Reba as their spokesperson?


    At that moment, Theodore’s gaze shifted to Charlie, who stood beside Reba.


    Hisst name was Carter, and the couple apanying Reba was from the Carter family.


    Could it be…


    Was Charlie part of the Carter family?


    Did Charlie grant Reba the privilege of being Carter’s Jewel spokesperson because they were in cahoots?


    And what about Patrick and Debra? They were clearly the Carter family’sckeys, so their relentless defense of Reba during this time made perfect sense.


    After all, theckeys of the Carter family naturally had to obey their master’smands.


    They were defending Reba on behalf of Charlie against the Edwards family.


    Theodore pondered, recalling how deliberately Patrick and Debra had bought the vi next to theirs. Did they really purchase that vi, or did it belong to Charlie?


    Charlie, being a celebrity, wouldn’t risk exposing himself by buying a house under his own name, especially one meant for…a mistress.


    So, was Reba actually Charlie’s underground lover?


    Did they intentionally buy the house next door to taunt him? Or were they simply too bold in their affair?


    Theodore simmered with anger, his gaze almost aze. He was tempted to strip Reba bare with his eyes to see if she had any semnce of decency left!


    274


    <b>15:49 </b>Sat, 20


    Reba had been talking about divorcing himtely. She must be dreaming of marrying Charlie, mustn’t she?


    Did she think that divorcing him would pave the way for her to marry Charlie?N?velDrama.Org ? content.


    What a shameless fool!


    Suddenly, Reba felt a piercing gaze upon her, and when she turned, she found Theodore staring at her with an almost predatory intensity, like he was about to eat her alive.


    At that moment, Reba felt as if her throat was being constricted, suffocating her.


    “Don’t be afraid.” Charlie’s reassuring voice sounded from beside her.


    “Let’s step outside,” Debra murmured, gently guiding Reba away.


    Hearing Charlie’sforting words and feeling Debra’s reassuring touch, Reba’s fear began to ebb away.


    So what if Theodore was there?


    She had her parents and brothers by her side; she didn’t need to fear Theodore.


    “Be confident. Today is a milestone for us as the spokeperson of Carter’s Jewel,” Charlie encouraged her with a


    bright smile, shing his pearly whites.


    Reba looked at his infectious grin and felt the weight in her chest lift as she nodded resolutely. “You’re right.”


    With her family, they made their way to the front. Amidst the guests‘ <b>curious </b>gazes and the shing cameras, they cut the red ribbon at the entrance of Carter’s Jewel, heralding its grand opening.


    Cameras shed incessantly as they posed for photos.


    Reba stood with her family behind the ribbon, smiling confidently as she observed the guests and, notably,


    Theodore among them.


    Reba’s confidence <b>soared</b>, and they shed a radiant smile. When the ribbon–cutting ceremony concluded,


    they were ushered inside for a break.


    As the ceremony ended, the crowd exited the jewelry store and made their way to the hotel for the opening banquet.


    Unlike the exclusive ribbon–cutting ceremony with influential figures as their guests, the banquet weed a more ordinary range of guests.


    And J had secured an invitation in that category.


    15:49 Sat, 20 Jul


    As the ribbon–cutting ceremony concluded and the crowd began to transition to the hotel, J finally ar with a regr invitation in hand. With so many ordinary guests around, J smoothly passed through t checks and blended into the banquet.


    Reba, along with her parents and Charlie, were busy greeting guests inside the hall and hadn’t noticed anomalies at the entrance. Therefore, they temporarily remained unaware of J’s unexpected presend the gathering.


    It wasn’t until Reba caught sight of J that she paused, momentarily perplexed. How had J ma slip in?


    Surely, the Carter family hadn’t extended an invitation to the Mitchell family, and J couldn’t possibly received an invitation either.


    J, however, didn’t see her presence as problematic. On the contrary, as she looked at Reba, she co help but wonder if Theodore knew about Reba’s rtionship with Charlie.


    Just the thought of Theodore possibly figuring out that something was amiss between Reba and Char brought her immense satisfaction.


    “Hey, long time no see! Heard you’re the face of Carter’s Jewel now? That’s impressive, congrattions,” approached with a ss of red wine in hand, wearing a smile that concealed her true intentions.


    Reba’s smile slowly faded as she turned away<i>, </i>uninterested in engaging with J.