Chapter 185

Chapter 185 The banquet continued as usual on the part of Sawle Group.

Since Ada Wang had already been taken away by Chloe, everyone’s mood was somewhat subdued.

Originally, Zoey had dressed up to show off her talent in front of international superstars, driven by her vanity, but when Ada left, she had no chance to sing, rendering all her preparations futile.

It was all Chloe’s fault, that sinister and cunning woman!

Joseph stood tall and straight outside the banquet hall, his figure framed by the floor-to-ceiling window, resembling an ice sculpture, cold and rugged.

He stared in the direction the Crystal Goddess Rolls-Royce had driven off, his breathing heavy and fists secretly clenched.

“Mr. Sawle, although I hate to admit it, it appears Miss Thorp has outwitted us this time.”

Max wiped his sweat with trepidation. “The buzzwords on the trending searches are all related to KS. Our trending search is gone. What’s more, news of Miss Thorp openly picking up Ada tonight has spread in the circle. Even the chairman knows about it.”

“Now... the external world is questioning our Sawle Group, asserting that we lack the capacity think through things before doing it, and questioning the overall standard of our hotel...”

Max had finished speaking and was already sweating profusely.

He had already anticipated the outcome when Chloe launched her attack; it was a full-on assault, leaving no room for the adversary to catch their breath.

Joseph gazed at the distant, unseen taillights of the Rolls-Royce and croaked, “Why did you go back on your word? Don’t you always address her as ‘Young Madam”?”

Max sucked in a breath of cold air and said weakly, “If she doesn’t harass you, she will be Young Madam... If she does harass you... it will be Miss Thorp.”

“It’s just a way of speaking. If you’d like to refer to her as ‘Young Madam’, I don’t have any objections.”

“Besides, I’m not really angry,” Joseph gasped. “The Young Miss of Thorp family has always been like this, hasn’t it?”

Had Mr. Sawle not gritted his teeth when fighting with the young madam this time, he was so open-minded.

Was he masochistic?

“However,” Joseph couldn’t help but be curious, “every guest must have an invitation letter to enter this banquet. The security in the hotel is tight. How did Chloe get in?”

“Hmm... I heard that before Young Madam arrived, the surveillance system had a brief malfunction. But just a few days ago, our hotel’s network equipment was fixed. It couldn’t have broken down so quickly. So I suspect that there was a hacker who either attacked or was infected with a virus.”

“Hacker?” Joseph frowned.

Could it be that this was also done by Chloe? Does she have the ability?

Or, which brother of hers had “aided the despot” once more?

“Second brother!”

Joseph’s thoughts were disturbed by a sweet and tender voice piercing through.

Hearing Zoey running towards him, the man’s frown deepened, not even wanting to turn around and face her.

“This Chloe is outrageous! She had the audacity to take Ada away right in front of you. It’s like she’s trying to humiliate you. She clearly doesn’t think much of you!” Zoey stamped her foot and seized the chance to mock Chloe.

She was well aware that men were adept at preserving their dignity, especially a man of high status like Joseph. She could not stand anyone defying his authority and causing him to lose face!

However, the man’s words made her face pale in an instant.

“You only met her the first day, so you don’t really know her yet. Miss Thorp’s family is like that; they never give me the time of day.”

“Second brother, what did you say?”

“But so what? I don’t have any concern about it.”

Joseph turned to look at Zoey coldly and said with a hint of anger, “However Miss Anderson, I’m perplexed by your behavior this evening.”

“Miss Anderson.” These words were like three iron daggers that pierced Zoey’s heart, causing such pain that she could not move!

She was unfamiliar with her second brother, so much so that it felt like they were strangers.

Was he attempting to draw a distinct line with her?

“This is Sawle Group’s banquet, and I’m here. Under no circumstances should you lend a hand to Sawle Group.”

“But, brother, I’m also trying to help you out!”

Zoey was so anxious that her sweet voice almost turned into a quack. She quickly grabbed Joseph’s arm and said, “Do you want that bad woman to act so badly at your banquet? Let her snatch away your honored guest and make Sawle Group the butt of Medo’s jokes?!”

“She is too haughty. Why is she so conceited? Is she just relying on her status as your ex-wife?!”

When the voice ceased, Zoey was filled with panic, realizing she had spoken too much.

Sure enough, Joseph’s eyebrows twitched, and his cold face was blanketed with frost. “I was married before, that’s no secret.

But knowing that Chloe is my ex-wife. Who told you about this?”

“It... It was my big brother!” Zoey forced herself to fib.

“Did Skyler tell you that?”

Zoey bit her lip and kept silent.

“The issue between Chloe and I is my own business. No one has the authority to meddle. She has already embarked on a new journey. Please don’t bring up her history with me.” Joseph’s voice was as deep as a rumble.

Zoey’s heart pounded like a drum, and she loathed herself.

Didn’t this man mean to speak up for Chloe, to protect her, and to safeguard her privacy?

“Ada Wang has departed. If you don’t wish to perform for the visitors tonight, I can send you back to the Anderson family whenever you like.”

Joseph withdrew his clear gaze from Zoey’s pale little face, then removed his arm and departed.

Max clicked his tongue twice and, with contempt, covertly appraised Zoey.

Was this inexpensive girl truly Young Master Anderson’s sibling?

No matter what, it was somewhat irritating.

“Second bro! Second bro! Joseph!”

The man kept going despite the first two calls, but when he heard Zoey call his name, he stopped.

“You’re so protective of Chloe. Is it because you’ve fallen for her? Do you have her in your heart?!” Zoey was so angry her voice cracked.

“No, I don’t have any love for her,” Joseph replied without hesitation,-

It seemed as if, in the next moment, some hidden emotions that even he was unaware of would become apparent.

“Then why are you standing up for her? Not only does she not care for you, but she also ridicules you. She took what was yours and ruined the feast that you toiled to put together!”

“She’s a real bad egg. She’s just causing you grief. Why are you taking her side?” Zoey’s voice was already shrill as she finished.

She was not as adept at feigning as Grace, for she had grown up in the loving embrace of the Anderson Group, where her desires were easily fulfilled; thus, she had always been able to express her wishes and act upon them.

For the first time ever, she felt defeated.

The more she sought closeness with Joseph, the more he seemed to retreat, distancing himself from her.

The man glanced over his shoulder, his gaze cold and almost inhuman, causing Zoey’s body to tense up immediately.

“Miss Anderson has never tied the knot, so she’s certainly unfamiliar with that phrase. It’s called ‘A day of husband and wife for a hundred days. We are, after all, man and wife, and I have been lenient with her. What’s the issue?”

Zoey felt as if she had been struck by lightning, her cheeks blushing white and blue with embarrassment.

“Even if I don’t love her, she has been my woman after all. I’m the only one who can judge her; no one else is qualified.”

Cold rain fell from the night sky.

Annie, secretly fleeing from Mazeland Manor, held the bear close in her arms and braved the wind and rain until she finally hailed a taxi.

When Annie finally arrived at Sawle Group’s hotel, her thin, white, pure cotton dress was already soaked through.

The bear in her arms, however, remained dry and cool, not drenched by the rain.

Afraid to enter through the main entrance, she had to sneak into the hotel through the back door.

Avoiding all the guests in gorgeous clothes, she ran through the corridor with her small feet, folding her arms and drooping her wet long eyelashes.

“Stop right there!”

Annie abruptly halted, her heart pounding furiously.

She was unmistakably the Sawle Group’s daughter, yet at present, she was behaving like a thief.

Two patrolling bodyguards came over, casting disdainful glances at Annie. Her sorry state was evident, her ordinary clothes and downcast expression giving her the look of a beaten dog.

“There is an important gathering here tonight. Keep your distance!”

“I... I desperately want to see Ada... Please, let me go in and take a glance at her, alright? Just let me have a peek and I will be on my way!” Annie pleaded desperately.

“No way! You can’t enter without an invite. Get going, pronto!” The bodyguard had a gruff demeanor and was already trying to shoo her away.

“Gaze upon this place! Is it something a destitute student such as yourself can afford? Beat it!”

Annie was very fond of Ada, and she was born with an unyielding determination. Whatever she wanted to do, she would persist through any number of obstacles to make it happen!

Therefore, gritting her teeth, she held the bear tightly and took a few steps back. Then, she sprinted to the bodyguard for help!

“Ah!”

As a result, Annie, as weak as the wind, was grabbed by the arm of a tall and strong bodyguard, who then suddenly swung his hand and threw her out along with her teddy bear!

Horror causing her to close her eyes, yet she didn’t find herself on the ground.

She was enveloped in a strong, firm, and familiar hug.