Chapter 43

“Oh, Facgorlle,” Shanice smiled warmly and nodded gracefully at her. “We’re already so close. Is there really a need for such formal greetings?”

This lightened Banquelle’s mood a bit. However, she still folded her arms, casting a dissatisfied look at me.

“It’s just my two cents, Shanice, but this is a gala with top business leaders present. Isn’t it a bit beneath you to waste your time on a lowly scummy person instead of greeting the big names at Untared?”

Shanice responded, “I can’t help it. I like him. He’s young, good-looking, and full of energy. What’s not to like?”

Shanice’s words left me speechless. The way she phrased it was bound to ignite people’s imaginations. Racquette’s face darkened instantly. She bit her lip as if unsure how to respond.

Then, a large SUV approached slowly from a distance. Gerald stepped out as soon as the door opened. A crowd immediately gathered around him, greeting him warmly.

Seeing Gerald, Racquelle looked like a mouse seeing a cat, tense and apprehensive. She obediently followed closely behind him as he walked into the banquet hall.

What surprised me was that Shanice didn’t leave. Instead, she stayed by my side, slowly walking in with me. Anyone who didn’t know better would think we had come to the gala together. It seemed like she was intentionally creating that impression.

At that moment, a cheerful voice called out to her. “Shanice.”

I looked up, and my surprise doubled. It was Demer Klint, the chairman of KLS Group.

With a warm smile, Denver walked over to Shanice, addressing her in a very friendly tone.

I was surprised but also faintly alarmed. Could it be that Denver and Shanice already knew each other?

Hold on. Denver Klint. Shanice Klint. They both have the same surname, Klint. Could they be family?

As soon as this thought crossed my mind, Shanice took my hand with a bright smile and began introducing us.

“Dad, let me introduce you two. This is Joshua Smith, the eldest son of the Smith family and a new friend of mine. Joshua, this is the chairman of RLS Group, Denver Klint. He’s also my…”

My suspicion confirmed, I finally understood why Shanice could so easily let go of the plot of land that Racquelle had long coveted. To Shanice, that land meant absolutely nothing. Her family was the wealthiest in the area, untouchable by anyone. For someone of her stature, Racquelle should be bending over backward to curry favor, let alone daring to say anything unpleasant…

“Hello, Mr. Klint,” I greeted Denver politely.

He looked at me with a mixture of admiration and evaluation. Nodding with a smile, he praised me approvingly. “Haha, so you’re Joshua, the eldest son of the Smith family. You certainly are handsome and dignified. I’ve heard about your impressive achievements in the business world. I didn’t expect you to be so striking, too.”

I smiled modestly. “You flatter me.”

Noticing me speaking with Denver, Gerald paused, momentarily taken aback, before quickly making his way over.

I promptly made the introduction, “Mr. Klint, this is my father, Gerald Smith.”

“Hello, I’ve heard so much about you.” Gerald shook Denver’s hand eagerly, looking at me with pleasant surprise. It seemed he was silently asking how I knew Denver.