Chapter 1380 - 1376: Really Attracting Bees and Butterflies
"I have a few decent antiques there, I’ll have Zheng Gu send them over tomorrow." Constantine Stewart clinked his champagne with him and said casually, "I haven’t interacted much with the Squire siblings, but they left a deep impression, such interesting souls. No wonder even a thousand-year-old iron tree like you has blossomed, it’s truly enviable."
Richard Shaw’s gaze followed Leah’s elegant and stunning figure, and he chuckled deeply, "I heard that this time when you participated in the recording of the variety show, you forcibly kissed your ex-wife?"
Constantine Stewart almost spat out his champagne, cursed under his breath, narrowed his eyes, and asked coldly, "Vice Admiral Shaw is so busy, yet still has time to care about gossip concerning a small fry like me?"
Who was the bastard that leaked it? Constantine Stewart quickly eliminated the suspects, knowing Chloe Winston wouldn’t have said it, nor would the trailing photographer, leaving Desmond Wood as the big mouth. Did Desmond tell Delphine Carter? Did Delphine tell Ignatius Leclair? And then did Ignatius tell Richard Shaw?
Shit! Does everyone freaking know about this now? This circle is really that small!
Richard Shaw saw his discomposure, thought of how Leah had specially invited Chloe Winston tonight, and felt a pang of sympathy for Constantine Stewart, who was clueless enough to forcibly kiss his ex-wife but also brought another woman to the event. As someone who had been through it, Richard Shaw patted his shoulder and said, "Leah invited Chloe, so have fun."
After saying that, Richard Shaw left Constantine Stewart and went to find his wife.
Constantine Stewart’s handsome face froze slightly, his smile stiffened, and suddenly he felt guilty and wanted to curse. Everyone in Imperial City knew about the relationship between Leah and Richard Shaw, they were just short of official recognition. When he received the invitation to Leah’s party, Constantine didn’t think much of it, but Lorelei found out somehow and wanted to experience it.
Since Constantine Stewart had put all his focus on Chloe Winston during this period and was too cold towards Lorelei, he thought to himself that he lacked a female companion for the banquet and agreed, not expecting Leah to invite Chloe.
The man’s face instantly darkened; that little thing had been overly bold lately, ignoring him was one thing, but she also had a big opinion about Lorelei. If she saw him attending the banquet with Lorelei, it would mean the forced kiss was for nothing.
"Constantine, what were you and Vice Admiral Shaw talking about just now? Are you two close?" Lorelei had been waiting on the side, and seeing the powerful man leave, she dared to come forward, affectionately holding Constantine Stewart’s arm and inquiring about his relationship with Richard Shaw.
When Richard Shaw came over, Constantine Stewart didn’t introduce her. Lorelei had initially wanted to meet this true powerful figure of Imperial City, but his gaze was too cold and severe, his very presence exuded an aura of confrontation, and just one look from him made her feel a chill throughout her body.
She had dressed up thoughtfully tonight in a silver-white pearl fishtail gown, paired with an expensive pearl necklace, looking noble and elegant. She had thought her temperament and taste would surpass all others, but upon seeing the party host Leah Squire, she truly understood why Imperial City’s socialites despised Leah so much.
This woman was as beautiful as a favored child of the heavens, capturing the attention of half the men at the party. With her family background, Lorelei felt humiliated, realizing that only by marrying Constantine Stewart and becoming Mrs. Stewart could she wash away the shame brought by her status.
Fortunately, she had arranged for reporters to be stationed outside the Art Pavilion tonight. As long as they captured photos of her being intimate with Constantine Stewart, it would top the hot searches tomorrow. Pressured by public opinion, Constantine Stewart would absolutely not clarify, let alone suppress her. This thing would be halfway done.
"Just acquaintances." Constantine Stewart answered absentmindedly, his gaze fixed tightly on the entrance of the pavilion, contemplating whether to arrange for Lorelei to leave first, when he saw Chloe Winston entering with her agent, Kyla Zamora.
The young girl wore a dreamy long gown, in a pink gradient color, with sleeves as light as feathers, combined with exquisite wavy curls, beautiful enough to make one sigh.
"So many people." Chloe Winston gently pulled on Kyla Zamora’s long gown hem, biting her pink lips and said, "Sis, I don’t know anyone."
"I don’t know them either." Kyla Zamora smiled stiffly, lowered her voice and said, "Later I’ll take you to meet Leah and Vice Admiral Shaw, then we do what we came to do and go back home after the event is over."
"Oh." Chloe nodded obediently, following behind Kyla Zamora.
"Are you Chloe Winston? The star who shot rabbits with a bow?"
"Chloe Winston? The one who tapped birch trees for sap?"
"Miss Winston, I’m a fan of yours."
"I’ve watched every episode of your variety show. I didn’t expect you to be so beautiful in person."
Chloe had just taken a couple of steps when she was recognized, and a few young aristocratic heirs surrounded her excitedly. This chatter drew everyone’s attention.
Chloe opened her mouth in surprise. Due to being blacklisted a few years ago, she had little interest in the outside world, burying herself in filming variety shows, completely unaware of her high popularity. Being recognized suddenly made her a bit panicked, so she leaned closer to Kyla Zamora.
The young heirs present, all seasoned in the art of romance, sophisticated beyond belief, upon seeing the stunningly beautiful girl looking so pure and adorable in her shock, were all smitten, growing only more enthusiastic.
"Why is Chloe here?" Lorelei’s face twisted with anger upon seeing Chloe.
Constantine Stewart’s handsome face darkened as he observed the young girl surrounded by a bunch of scoundrels, offering their attention, his gaze grew cold, and he said playfully, "I too would like to know."
Indeed, she was a magnet for butterflies and bees.
The man strode forward with his long legs, his emotions unreadable.
"Miss Winston, can you give me your autograph? Or leave your WeChat?"
"The exhibition hall at the back of the Art Pavilion has many treasures on display. I can be Miss Winston’s guide."
Chloe was dizzy from all the talking when Leah Squire and Richard Shaw noticed and came over.
"Chloe, you came?" Leah stepped forward, affectionately reaching out to the flustered young girl surrounded by a pack of eager wolves, laughing, "My grandma and I watch your variety show at home all the time, we wanted to meet you, so we boldly invited you here."
"Mrs. Shaw and Old Mrs. Shaw watch my show too?" Chloe was momentarily stunned by her breathtaking beauty, blurting out completely unaware that the term "Mrs. Shaw" had struck a chord with the serious and steadfast Vice Admiral Shaw.
This young girl seemed promising, she knew how to speak.
Richard Shaw’s impression of her improved slightly.
"Being invited is my honor." Chloe bit her lip in frustration, smiling awkwardly, thinking she might have been a bit casual with her words.
"Grandmother and Leah never miss an episode of your show." The usually silent Vice Admiral Shaw spoke calmly, expressing his goodwill.
Everyone noticed that the Shaw Family in Imperial City held Chloe in high esteem, and their eyes lit up. Initially, they thought her to be stunningly beautiful, her personality pleasant, but now they could taste something different.
If the Shaw Family genuinely liked this little star, engaging with her would mean having a connection with the Shaw Family in the future. At that moment, their gazes at Chloe subtly shifted.
Lorelei, who came with Constantine Stewart, was stunned seeing Leah so friendly with Chloe while the previously aloof Vice Admiral Shaw was speaking to her and giving her face. It felt like she had been slapped, instinctively holding onto Constantine Stewart’s arm tightly.