Aspen wore light, elegant makeup on her face. Her beautiful hair was pinned up high, revealing her snow-white and slender neck. Except at home or around familiar people, Aspen rarely spoke, and with Andrew deliberately shaping her into a cold, untouchable presence, her aura felt even more distant. Other than the occasional moment when she poured Derek a drink or greeted the heads of major families, she hardly smiled. Yet, the colder she seemed, the more eager the tipsy scions and young men who had just returned to Blumedale came to strike up conversation.
Yet, whenever one of them tried, Aspen shut it down with a single line. “I already have a husband, and he’s also my boss. His name is Andrew Lloyd.”
The name crushed every fantasy in an instant. No matter how cocky or self-important they were, each man immediately backed down, apologized, and slunk away. After all, only a fool would try to hit on the woman of the man who had just destroyed the Driscoll family. Even the most hormone-driven heirs were not that suicidal.
Meanwhile, Chantelle had finally stopped wearing her work uniform. Instead, she was now seen wearing a pair of pearl earrings, with her hair styled in big, slightly curled waves. Wrapped in an elegant lavender gown, her tall, graceful figure resembled Lauren’s, though their styles were worlds apart. Lauren was blazingly gorgeous, intelligent, generous, and intoxicating. However, Chantelle was cold and alluring. She gave people the feeling of being unreachable yet made them desperately want to pin her down on a bed and conquer her completely.
Andrew’s appearance made the whispering hall fall silent. He was young, handsome, and unfathomable. His presence was powerful, yet he did not seem aggressive.
For example, the ninth son of the Phelan family, Jasper Phelan, and the acting head of the Fischer family, Lucian Fischer. These two were considered tonight’s top-tier figures, ranking alongside Derek. Of course, George had to be added to that list as well. However, George positioned himself as one of Andrew’s own people and considered himself the host, so it was not surprising. His current role was more like the chief steward managing Andrew’s forces behind the scenes.
He chuckled and said, “Andy, let me introduce you to some people.”
George actively approached, planning to introduce Andrew to Jasper and Lucian.
Derek stepped forward first with a smile. “George, you handle your side. I’ll make the introductions here.”
George smiled, “That works too.”
Everyone in Gabo Creek saw him as a pillar of the community. But George himself took the thrill of who he was right now over that “pillar” any day. With the Driscoll family gone and Andrew’s rise, the Keller family naturally rose with the tide. His busy work for Andrew represented something crystal clear: the Keller family and Andrew were now in the same boat, like brothers.
George felt a deep sense of relief. Here he was, at his age, witnessing the Keller family’s second act. Inside, his gratitude had evolved into genuine respect, and so taking on that responsibility as Andrew’s chief steward felt natural.
Derek introduced smoothly, “This is Jasper Phelan of the Phelan family—General Lama’s ninth uncle and the next in line to lead the Phelan family. And this gentleman is one of our Gabo Creek’s most famous martial arts experts, Mr. Lucian Fischer, currently managing all Fischer family affairs.”
After finishing the introductions, he seemingly casually added this piece of information, “Oh, by the way, Mr. Lucian and Mr. Henry from Goldridge are brothers. One manages the inside, the other the outside.”