Chapter 8 The Encounter

"Humph, Vivian, don't be upset. We won't believe that woman's lies."

Tears welled in Vivian's eyes. "I know she dislikes me, but she shouldn't slander me like this."

"Don't worry, we're all on your side. She's the one putting on an act! If anyone's the mistress, it's her. If you hadn't gone abroad, Vivian, he would've married you!"

"Exactly! Everyone knows Mr. Caffrey only has eyes for you!"

Olivia couldn't bear to listen anymore. She didn't like Christine, but she didn't particularly care for Vivian either.

As the crowd dispersed, Vivian finally let out a soft sigh of relief.

She would remember this humiliation. One day, she would repay it a thousandfold!

Christine-the more you care about something, the more she'll snatch it away!

"Don't worry, Vivian. We'll make sure Mr. Caffrey hears about Christine's despicable actions today! But Vivian, I heard a big shot is coming. Do you know who it is?"

Vivian shook her head. "No idea."

She had only recently returned to the country and knew little about elite circles.

Her purpose in coming today had simply been to find an opportunity to get closer to Neil. Little did she know that Neil had already left early.

"I heard Mr. Robinson from the Los Angeles elite circles is coming today?"

"Which Mr. Robinson?"

"Haven't you heard? Edward Robinson from the Robinson family! Who else could possibly be called Mr. Robinson? He's the most famous prince charming in L.A., and most importantly, he's still single!"

"But I heard he's gay."

"No way. Why are all the handsome guys gay?"

Vivian raised her delicate brows slightly, silently repeating Edward's name in her mind.

Whether he was gay or not, she didn't know. But suddenly, she found herself intrigued by this enigmatic man.

******

As the guests began arriving in full force, Mathew was finally escorted out by his son. Close behind him, two distinguished men descended the stairs, instantly capturing the attention of the entire room.

Henry, dressed in white, possessed a gentle and exceptionally handsome face. Edward, clad in black, was mysterious and stern, his jet-black eyes devoid of emotion. With composed strides, the two men approached the crowd, their vastly different auras silencing the room.

Within the crowd, Vivian's eyes lit up. Her glassy gaze darted back and forth between the two men. So which one was the Mr. Robinson everyone was talking about?

Henry was the talkative one, occasionally making Mathew chuckle. The man beside him, however, wore a cold expression, his gaze sweeping every corner of the banquet hall without missing a thing-yet still, he didn't find the person he sought.

The curious stares around him meant nothing. His target had always been only her.

Moments later, Henry sensed the murderous intent radiating from his friend. He abruptly turned his head, meeting Edward's piercing glare.

"You lied to me?"

Henry's lips twitched. Edward was clearly desperate to find someone.

"Grandpa Mathew, you've invited quite a crowd today. I've been in New York for months and haven't met as many people as you have here. Care to introduce me?"

"You're teasing me again, young man. As someone from the Thompson family in L.A., haven't you seen enough of them already?"

Mathew knew Henry's law firm had been in New York for less than three months and assumed he genuinely wanted introductions. Smiling kindly, he pulled him along and began introducing the important guests.

Afterward, Mathew suddenly remembered something and turned to his daughter-in-law. "Where's Christine? Didn't she come today?"

Ever since the Wood family went bankrupt, the girl had visited less often. He knew Christine was sensitive and hated being gossiped about as someone who only came around to curry favor.

Thinking this, he couldn't help glaring at his eldest grandson. If this foolish boy hadn't been so useless, would the Caffrey family have been able to steal his precious granddaughter-in-law?

Elise scanned the room but didn't see her. "Dad, Christine is here! She just stepped out for a moment. She was thinking of you and even brought you a gift."

The man whose face had been icy moments ago softened slightly at the sound of that melodious name.

Henry raised an eyebrow, cursing inwardly, and smoothly continued, "What kind of gift? I'm ashamed to say we came empty-handed."

Mathew smiled faintly. "Your presence alone is the greatest honor."

If anyone at this banquet paid closer attention to Christine than Edward, it was undoubtedly her arch rival, Olivia.

The moment she heard Christine's name, Olivia leaned in. "Miss Wood is so thoughtful. What did she bring? We'd love to see it too."

Just then, a servant handed Christine's gift to Elise, and Olivia felt a surge of irritation.

The Murphy family's daughter was clearly stirring trouble-didn't she know the occasion? Don't think Elise hadn't noticed; she was doing it on purpose.

Mathew, unfazed, accepted the gift with a faint smile. "Let me see. a hand-colored lithograph map of nineteenth-century New York. The child really put thought into it."

The group of socialites who had been crowding around Vivian seized the opportunity to add insult to injury.

"Miss Wood really doesn't know her place. How could she bring a dusty piece of paper as a gift?"

"But then again, with the Wood family bankrupt, it's no wonder she's struggling."

"After all, she's not like us-finding real luxury items can't be easy."

The venomous undertone instantly froze the atmosphere.

Hearing this, Vivian's expression shifted subtly. She took a slight step away from the fool beside her. Mathew had just praised Christine, yet this woman dared undermine her-how could the situation not turn awkward?

Sure enough, Mathew's face turned cold. "Would you even recognize something rare and historic if it were placed right in front of you?"

He turned to glare at Elise. "Who compiled today's guest list? How did such ignorant nobodies get invited?"

Vivian's lips twitched. She was genuinely moved to tears by her former junior's sheer stupidity.

The girl, embarrassed and flustered, shot Vivian a pleading look. "Vivian."

She sighed inwardly. Helping her today was unavoidable.

Vivian stepped forward. "A rare first edition from the Jazz Age-its provenance and historical weight are both top-tier. Naturally, it's an exceptional piece. Mr. Watson, please calm down. She meant no offense."

"And what gallery is it from? Hmph! Think you know everything, do you? If you lack real knowledge, you'd better keep your mouth shut!" Mathew snapped, utterly unforgiving.

As the words fell, Vivian's face flushed crimson, then drained pale. She bit her lip hard to suppress a cry.

Edward, who had been observing coldly from the sidelines, finally spoke, his voice slow and steady. "The item itself is fine, but the personal dedication is even more valuable. With the author's own signature, it is naturally priceless."

Mathew smiled with satisfaction. "It seems Edward has seen it before."

"When Uncle Wood was still alive, he was a major patron of the arts and met the author at a New York Public Library gala. This inscription, dedicated to the Wood family's private collection, was a testament to their deep friendship."

Mathew's eyes welled with tears. "Who could argue with that? He treasured it dearly-wouldn't even let me glance at it. Now that Karl is gone, and the author is gone too, this treasure has fallen into my hands. That child truly has a kind heart. From now on, anyone who speaks ill of the Wood family will never be welcome in the Watson household!"

The crowd gasped in surprise.

They hadn't expected Mathew to defend the Wood family so fiercely-and this Mr. Robinson clearly had prior ties with them. Was the Wood family making a comeback?

Emerging from the restroom, Christine was completely unaware of the commotion. Upon re-entering the banquet hall, she found everyone clustered tightly together.

Elise's sharp eyes finally spotted her, and she hurried over. "Christine, where did you run off to? Dad was looking for you!"

Still dazed, Christine was pulled forward as Elise called out, "Dad, Christine is here!"

Christine's heels were slightly too tall today. She stumbled, and just as she was about to fall, she instinctively grabbed the arm of the person beside her.

The next moment, a faint scent of rose and mint drifted into her nostrils.

The openwork back of her gown revealed her waist, where a broad, warm palm pressed against her lower back. Her cool skin felt scorched, sending a flutter through her heart.

Startled, Christine lifted her gaze and met a pair of deep, lingering eyes.

A faint smile curved his lips. "Careful."

From afar, Vivian's eyes burned with overwhelming jealousy.

Why was it always her?

Christine Woods!