Chapter 74: Their Relationship
They soon arrived at the Grand West Aethelburg Hotel.
Julian Faulkner got out of the car first and thoughtfully opened the door for Vivian Lowell. He couldn’t help but smile as he watched her in the evening gown he had so carefully selected.
’So beautiful.’
’He just knew she would look absolutely stunning in this dress.’
"Let’s go."
Julian Faulkner said cheerfully, then turned and entered the hotel’s banquet hall with Vivian Lowell.
Inside the familiar banquet hall, quite a few guests had already arrived.
Tonight’s event was more of a cocktail party—an evening gathering for some of Veridia’s most famous industry titans to network.
Attendees had to be the heads of renowned domestic corporations or their family members. Anyone with a slightly lower status was not permitted entry.
As soon as she walked in, Vivian Lowell spotted several familiar faces.
They were all CEOs of jewelry and apparel companies who had done business with the Lowell Group in the past. In a way, they were Vivian Lowell’s "clients."
The moment Julian Faulkner entered, he drew a great deal of attention.
A short, chubby man with fair skin walked over, a wine glass in hand, and greeted Julian Faulkner.
"President Faulkner, you’re here! Huh, and this is... Miss Lowell?"
He recognized Vivian Lowell, and after a moment’s hesitation, he suppressed the gleam in his eyes and said, "President Faulkner, so young and accomplished! I’ve heard that Miss Lowell’s design skills are quite formidable!"
"Miss Lowell, this is my business card. We should..."
As the man spoke, he pulled a business card from his jacket pocket, intending to hand it to Vivian Lowell.
Vivian Lowell had just seen the name "Ward" on the card when Julian Faulkner snatched it away.
He said, "President Ward, we have other things to attend to. Let’s talk next time."
With that, Julian Faulkner pulled Vivian Lowell away and headed in another direction.
That President Ward seemed a little regretful. But since Julian Faulkner clearly didn’t want to talk, he wasn’t about to embarrass himself by trying to force the interaction.
As she was being pulled away, Vivian Lowell was still looking at the business card in Julian Faulkner’s hand.
She’d only caught a glimpse of it.
That President Ward was the head of Veridian operations for a certain foreign luxury apparel and jewelry brand. That was no small title.
Sharon Galahad had once tried to partner with him but couldn’t even get a meeting.
’And he just offered me his card?’
Vivian Lowell found it a bit incredible. Thinking about how her company was currently in the middle of expanding, she tentatively tugged on Julian Faulkner’s sleeve.
"How about you give me the card?"
’That luxury brand’s products are so expensive. If I could land a design contract with them, it would definitely be a huge deal!’
Vivian Lowell was quite hopeful about a potential collaboration.
Even if they just considered it for now, it was still good to build a positive connection. Julian Faulkner was a businessman; there was no reason he would refuse her.
Vivian Lowell was full of confidence.
Unexpectedly, Julian Faulkner didn’t even turn his head. He just coolly took the crumpled card in his palm and stuffed it into his pants pocket.
"No."
He said it decisively, offering no reason and leaving no room for negotiation.
!
Vivian Lowell suddenly had the urge to run up and bite Julian Faulkner.
’I should educate him on the status of this luxury brand, both in Veridia and abroad.’
Then, Julian Faulkner turned to look at Vivian Lowell, whose puffed-up cheeks made her look a bit like an angry pufferfish.
"That guy, Ward. His character is no good."
Julian Faulkner seemed to have read her mind. Fearing she would be upset, he added helplessly, "If you want to work with them..."
"I can connect you through other channels when we get home."
Vivian Lowell was surprised.
She hadn’t expected that to be the reason Julian Faulkner wouldn’t give her the card.
’That President Ward’s character is no good?’
Vivian Lowell thought back and did recall something. When he’d looked at her earlier, his eyes had clearly lit up, and his gaze was a little greasy.
It hadn’t felt comfortable when it landed on her.
But because Julian Faulkner was by her side, he had restrained himself.
"Okay," Vivian Lowell said. Once she understood, her mood improved considerably. She gave Julian Faulkner a sweet smile and even hummed a little tune.
"..."
Seeing her act like this, Julian Faulkner thought she was truly whimsical and childish.
The two of them soon walked over to a bar on one side of the banquet hall.
"Julian, you’re here."
A middle-aged man appeared before Vivian Lowell and Julian Faulkner. He had a very refined appearance and a deeply scholarly aura.
Though his temples were graying, he was in high spirits, and his pleasant, scholarly air put others at ease.
"Mr. Sterling, hello."
Julian Faulkner was very polite. He said, "I didn’t expect to see you tonight. You must have just returned to the country, right? Are you getting used to life back here?"
"It’s been fine, yes."
Sam Sterling nodded. Just as he was about to say more, Miss Sterling stepped out from behind Mrs. Sterling and came up to Julian Faulkner.
"Julian~ We meet again! I was actually going to come to your place for dinner today! You know how much I hate attending these kinds of banquets!"
Miss Sterling pouted, looking quite cute. She stepped forward and said to Julian Faulkner, "But then Rachel told me you were coming to this banquet!"
"So I had no choice but to come too! Oh, Miss Lowell, you’re here too! Did you... come with Julian?"
After Miss Sterling finished speaking, Mrs. Sterling glanced at Vivian Lowell, seemingly recalling something. She tugged on Miss Sterling’s arm and gave her a look, signaling something with her eyes.
Miss Sterling didn’t understand. She linked her arm with Mrs. Sterling’s and explained, "Mom, don’t worry, I know Miss Lowell, too!"
"I didn’t have Rachel’s WhatsApp before, and it was Miss Lowell who shared it with me!"
"Right, Miss Lowell?"
Miss Sterling looked at Vivian Lowell.
Vivian Lowell managed an awkward but polite smile. Although she could feel the atmosphere around Julian Faulkner growing heavy again, she could only nod.
"Yes, I was the one who gave it to her. After all..."
Vivian Lowell snuck a glance at Julian Faulkner. Seeing his sullen expression, she knew he was definitely a little unhappy.
’When he’s happy, his eyebrows lift a little, and he looks much gentler.’
’Hmph.’
’I know his little secret.’
With that in mind, Vivian Lowell said, "After all, Rachel and Miss Sterling are friends. Even without me, friends can always find a way to get in touch."
After hearing this, Miss Sterling blinked and smiled at Vivian Lowell, seeming not quite satisfied with her answer.
Just then, Sam Sterling also glanced at his daughter, signaling for her to stop her thoughtless chatter, and said to Julian Faulkner, "Julian, I’ve practically watched you grow up."
"I was busy with other projects abroad before, so of course, I’m very happy to see you now that I’m back."
"Especially now that you have such an outstanding young woman by your side, which makes me even more pleased. Are you two married yet?"
!
’Mr. Sterling is so direct!’
Vivian Lowell could tell.
Mr. Sterling was a very sincere person, unlike his daughter, who seemed to be deliberately trying to get Julian Faulkner’s attention.
’Perhaps he’s asking this question to confirm my relationship with Julian, so he can make his daughter give up?’
As for Julian Faulkner,
He glanced at Sam Sterling, thought for a moment, then suddenly pursed his lips and said, "My relationship with Vivian Lowell—I imagine you’ll all find out soon enough."
Huh?