Chapter 392: Keep Your Woman in Check
Sorenson Dodge had hair and beard as white as snow, yet the hand gripping his diamond-encrusted cane was strong and sinewy, and his steps were steady and forceful.
Cecilia had naturally heard of this famous philanthropist, but knowing was one thing—seeing him in person was truly a first.
The old gentleman reached out excitedly to shake Cecilia’s hand, his enthusiasm written all over his face, impossible to conceal.
"Miss Vaughn, the Sunset Painting you created together with Sean Grant—would you be willing to sell it to me?"
Since she didn’t particularly like physical contact with strangers, Cecilia’s elegant brows furrowed slightly, and for a moment she couldn’t even recall what he was referring to.
She hesitantly glanced at her own hand, which was still being gripped, and only then did the old gentleman seem to realize his overzealousness had startled the younger generation.
Sorenson Dodge immediately released her hand with an elegant flair, and the smile on his silver-white face deepened the creases until they bloomed into something like a great chrysanthemum.
"Miss Vaughn, perhaps you don’t know me yet. Allow me to introduce myself: I am Sorenson Dodge, just a very ordinary businessman, with a humble hobby of collecting some antiques and artifacts."
He hadn’t even finished speaking before a gasp rippled through the crowd.
Come on... If someone like Sorenson Dodge counts as just an ordinary small-time businessman, what does that make the rest of them?
Though they were all silently griping inside, in the whole venue, there truly wasn’t a single person who could match the old gentleman’s reputation and status.
Even if someone could barely measure up to him in wealth, they were almost always lower in seniority.
...
Fiona saw Sorenson Dodge—such a towering figure—lowering himself to introduce himself to Cecilia. Jealousy surged up in her heart like a raging tide, spreading uncontrollably.
Cecilia always appreciated modest people, but with the old gentleman going out of his way to humble himself, as a junior, she couldn’t help but feel a little sheepish as well.
Just as Cecilia was about to speak, a delicate, fragile voice suddenly stole everyone’s attention.
"Sister, do you really not know Mr. Dodge? That’s far too rude, isn’t it?"
Fiona, putting on a show of concern for Cecilia, hurried forward on eight-centimeter high heels despite being pregnant, not caring at all.
She smiled sweetly, her lovely eyes sparkling, and gave Mr. Dodge a gentle bow.
"Mr. Dodge, I suppose this is your first time in Stellerton? My sister was just a bit impolite, I hope you don’t mind. Oh, and I should introduce myself as well: I’m Cecilia’s younger sister... Fiona Vaughn. I’m a rising young actress from Veridia, and also the fiancée of The Law Group’s Second Young Master, Tyson Law..."
Before Fiona could finish, Sorenson Dodge instantly shot her a look of utter impatience.
The old gentleman tapped his diamond-studded dragon cane lightly, a look of obvious displeasure all over his face.
"The one who’s truly being rude is you, isn’t it? I didn’t ask you to speak up for your sister. According to an old Veridian proverb, aren’t you overstepping your bounds, or perhaps trying to steal the limelight?"
Mr. Sorenson Dodge had visited Veridia years ago, and due to his fondness for Veridian culture—and the country’s rapid economic growth in recent years—he had hired a tutor to teach him Mandarin specifically.
With so many years of practice, the old gentleman’s Mandarin was excellent, and he could toss out idioms at will.
Being dismissed with an idiom like that, Fiona’s pride took a direct hit.
Her smile froze instantly.
With so many media reporters surrounding her, she dreaded what gossip they’d spin, so Fiona quickly gave up on networking with this philanthropy magnate—for now, at least—and swiftly chose to apologize instead.
"I’m sorry, Mr. Dodge, it was wrong of me."
Even as she spoke, it was as if the taps had been turned on automatically—two sparkling drops of tears suddenly trailed down Fiona’s face.
The beauty in tears, so frail and delicate, invoked people’s urge to reach out and gently shield her from harm.
The reporters, seeing her cry, were full of mixed feelings.
"Miss Fiona only meant well, after all..."
"But isn’t she a bit too fragile? Was she really moved to tears by just that?"
Tyson Law couldn’t stand people gossiping about his wife. Over the years, Fiona’s watery eyes had always been his one weakness.
Tyson strode forward to embrace Fiona, glaring at Mr. Dodge with clear irritation.
"You may be a senior, but don’t you think you spoke too harshly to my wife?"
"No... Tyson, it’s not the old gentleman’s fault; it’s all mine. I... meant well but caused trouble instead..."
With just a few soft words, Fiona had fully deflected responsibility. She leaned daintily into Tyson’s arms, lips quivering ever so slightly as she tried to excuse Mr. Dodge, her expression aggrieved and pitiable.
...
Mr. Dodge had been around long enough to spot a white lotus performance a mile away—he could see straight through Fiona’s act.
He frowned, unable to fathom how two sisters could be so different—first snatching the spotlight, then summoning tears for attention?
Besides, he hadn’t even said anything particularly harsh; he was simply telling the truth.
"So you’re The Law Group’s Second Young Master?"
At Mr. Dodge’s words, Tyson’s chin lifted in pride. The Law Group was among the world’s top enterprises—others might tremble before Sorenson Dodge, but not him!
But instead of the apology or explanation he expected, Sorenson Dodge looked at him with unconcealed disappointment, his voice heavy.
"You’re nowhere near your older brother’s level."
"You..."
Tyson was so furious he nearly spat blood on the spot. He hated it most when people compared him to Adrian Law. Such judgments might be discussed in Veridia, but to hear this foreigner talk that way, too!
In Tyson’s view, it was all because Adrian had an age advantage—if only he’d been born a few years earlier, with his talents, he’d be the one steering The Law Group!
...
Watching Tyson grow red and flustered, Sorenson Dodge immediately wrote him off—the type that would never amount to much, and he shook his head again.
"Keep your woman in check!"
Rotten wood cannot be carved.
Too lazy to waste another moment on such a person, Old Mr. Dodge quickly refocused on Cecilia, his demeanor turning serious.
"Miss Cecilia Vaughn, are you interested in my earlier offer to buy your painting?"
Even under the sharp gaze of such a senior, Cecilia felt no pressure at all.
She curved her lips into an elegant, self-assured smile, gathered her gown with her left hand, and, following impeccable Western etiquette, gave Sorenson Dodge a perfectly executed social bow.
The long black velvet hem of her dress rippled under the lights like flowing water. The sight of Cecilia paying such gracious respects left more than a few young men utterly entranced!