Chapter 162
Kingsley spent the entire afternoon in video conferences. When he finally closed the meeting interface and looked up, he saw Peter sprawled on the sofa, playing on his phone. Kingsley’s tone was laced with irritation. “Why haven’t you left yet p>
Seeing him stand, Peter immediately sat up straight. “I’m going. Might as well ride together p>
The two left the study just as the sky outside began to darken. Sitting together in the back of the car, Kingsley’s thumb unconsciously rubbed the edge of his phone. A flicker of surprise passed through his mind he hadn’t received a single message.
Upon arriving at the banquet venue, Kingsley and Peter had barely stepped into the hall when David called out to them.
“Kingsley, Peter p>
Kingsley took a glass of red wine from a waiter’s tray, clinked it gently against David’s glass, and got straight to the point. “Is he still acting out? You aren’t going to manage him p>
David took a sip of wine and shrugged helplessly. “I try, but he’s unmanageable. Why don’t you help me think of a solution p>
“Freeze his cards,” Kingsley said succinctly.
On the other side of the room, Peter was already surrounded by several flirtatious figures and was too busy engaging with them to hear the conversation.
David’s eyes lit up, and he nodded in agreement. “Good idea. I’ll try that later p>
A moment later, Kingsley was surrounded by several business partners. Although he engaged in polite small talk, his gaze wandered uncontrollably until it locked onto a white silhouette.
Lucy was wearing a white evening gown that exposed her exquisite shoulders. Her back was slender but held perfectly straight. She held a wine glass, conversing fluently in German with someone, her demeanor calm and effortlessly capable.
Suddenly sensing an overly intense gaze, Lucy turned around and collided straight with Kingsley’s predatory stare. She frowned immediately and looked away with undisguised disgust.
That look of pure revulsion actually made Kingsley laugh in anger. He gave a perfunctory reply to the person beside him, his eyes glued to Lucy.
After exchanging a few more words
with the business partner, Lucy turned to leave. She went to the restroom first, then lifted the hem of her dress and walked out of the banquet hall, seeking a moment of peace.
Once she found a quiet spot, Lucy took out her phone and clicked on a voice message from the nanny. Seven’s soft, milky voice drifted out: “Mommy, I ate… lots and lots… of veggies p>
A faint smile instantly bloomed at the corners of her mouth. She opened her social media feed, scrolling slowly to kill time.
The tranquility didn’t last long before
a familiar voice shattered it. “Is The Holt Group out of staff? Or is Jules
so desperate for a date that he needs you to personally accompany him p>
Lucy frowned deeply and looked up at the approaching figure. “Mr. Sherwood,
you’re overstepping. I wanted to be Jules’s date. Is that a problem p>
“Do you like him?” Kingsley pressed, a hidden tension in his voice.
Lucy pulled the corners of her lips into a cold smile. “I do p>
She took two steps back, creating distance. “Kingsley, do you really think there is
any need for conversation between us p>
“Do you still hate me?” Kingsley’s voice dropped lower.
“When I loved you, naturally, there was hate,” Lucy’s eyes were full of mockery as past heartbreaks and grievances surged up. “But not anymore. After all, who holds a grudge against a dog for mob appreciating a steak p>
Kingsley felt a brutal clench in his chest.
He could see no room for negotiation in her resolute eyes, yet he refused to give up.
“But the person you like… he can’t give you happiness p>
“Liking him is enough. Why does he have to give me happiness?” Lucy sneered, her tone unwavering. “I can create my own happiness p>