Mason Sinclair let out a scoff.
It seemed his guess had been spot-on: Miles Sinclair really might be a kept man living off a wealthy older woman.
Then again, he was nothing but a useless piece of trash.
What could he possibly accomplish after leaving the Sinclair family?
“Miles is back,” Scarlett Sullivan said nervously.
“If he returns to the Sinclair family, will he pose a threat to you?”
Mason looked entirely unconcerned.
“If it weren’t for me all these years, the company wouldn’t be where it is today.
Even if Grandfather still values him, he wouldn’t strip me of my position just for his sake.
“Besides, the company is filled with my people.
Even if a useless piece of trash like him joined the company, he wouldn’t have any support.
What kind of waves could he possibly make?”
Scarlett breathed a sigh of relief but still offered a warning.
“I’m just worried he might have latched onto some big shot now.
With someone backing him, he could scheme against you in secret.
After all, you bullied him so much in the past.
Someone with as dark a mind as his is definitely holding a grudge.”
“I could easily crush him under my heel in the past,” Mason said dismissively, “and I can ensure he never rises again now.”
Up ahead, guests were gradually stepping forward to offer their birthday wishes to Madam Xavier.
Although Scarlett hadn’t spotted Adrian Xavier, she figured that getting into the good graces of the Xavier family’s grand dame would help pave the way for Mindy Jefferson.
She grabbed Mason’s arm and pulled him along.
“I naturally believe you have the ability to do so.
Come on, let’s go offer a toast to Madam Xavier,” she said.
Mason brushed her hand away and lowered his voice.
“Miles already knows about us.
I’m worried he might say something to Bella.
Keep your distance.”
Scarlett was displeased.
“Why are you afraid of him?” she retorted angrily.
“He and Bella aren’t even that close.”
Mason thought about it and agreed.
Bella was his woman, and she knew perfectly well that he and Miles were at odds.
Even if Miles did say something, Bella was always so obedient to Mason that she would only view it as Miles trying to sow discord.
As for why she had just helped Miles out of a tight spot, it was simply because of her kind heart.
Bella had always been like this; she couldn’t stand seeing the strong bully the weak and always felt compelled to step in and help.
Regardless, Miles’s return still gave him a sense of crisis.
It seemed he needed to find an opportunity to make Miles disappear again.
***
After Bella finished her discussion with the experts, there was no sign of Adrian.
Figuring that her task was complete and there was no need to stick around, she grabbed her bag and left the conference room.
Assistant Monroe was standing at the door.
“Miss Jefferson,” she said respectfully.
“Mr.
Xavier had something to attend to and had to leave just now.
He asked me to let you know.”
Bella smiled faintly.
“That’s fine.
I’m a bit tired and would like to head back now.”
“Understood.
I will inform Mr.
Xavier and then drive you back.”
I can call a cab.”
“I apologize, Miss Jefferson, but I’m not sure if Mr.
Xavier has any other arrangements for you.
Please head to the banquet hall to have something to eat and wait for a moment.
I will be right back.”
With that, Nancy Monroe hurried off.
Bella had no intention of waiting.
She pulled out her phone to hail a ride.
However, it was a difficult time to find a car.
Moreover, this was a place frequented by the wealthy, who all had their own private chauffeurs.
Very few taxis or ride-hailing cars ever came into this area.
Bella waited for a long time without anyone accepting her ride request.
Eventually, she gave up and headed to the banquet hall to wait for Assistant Monroe.
At that moment, the guests were all busy offering their birthday wishes and presenting gifts to Madam Xavier.
Even so, Bella’s sudden entrance drew quite a few stares.
“Which family’s daughter is that?
I saw her come in earlier with Assistant Monroe.
Assistant Monroe even helped her out and had the Jefferson family kicked out of the banquet.”
“That’s the eldest daughter of the Jefferson family, though she’s already severed ties with them.
I heard she works at the Meridian Group now, helping to negotiate business deals.”
“Mr.
Sinclair is certainly a lucky man.
With such a beautiful and elegant woman helping him land deals, it’s no wonder the Meridian Group has been booming all these years.
Now they’ve even hitched their wagon to the Xavier Group.
He’s destined to make a fortune.”
“That’s also because Mr.
Sinclair is highly capable and has an excellent R&D director.
Otherwise, how could the Meridian Group be where it is today relying solely on Miss Jefferson to run sales?”
As these words reached Bella’s ears, she found them incredibly ironic.
So, the Meridian Group’s wall of honor was entirely credited to Mason Sinclair and Scarlett Sullivan?
But without her help and the medical texts she provided, how could Mason possibly have achieved any of this?
The crowd was still gossiping, but as Bella walked past them, they immediately fell silent.
Then, holding their wine glasses, a few attempted to approach and offer her a toast.
Bella coldly walked right past them, offering no response whatsoever.
The birthday banquets of the rich were always far more luxurious and grandiose than those of ordinary people, let alone one hosted by a top-tier wealthy family like the Xaviers.
When the guests first entered the banquet hall, everyone was required to present an invitation and register their names.
Because Bella had been brought in by Nancy Monroe, she had bypassed the usual protocols and skipped all the formalities.
Of the people who attended, there wasn’t a single one who didn’t want to curry favor with the Xavier family.
Naturally, the gifts they presented were extravagantly expensive.
As Bella walked past the gift-receiving area, she could clearly see a mountain of gifts piled on the floor.
It was impossible to tell which family had sent what, but her sharp eyes still caught sight of a few rare treasures.
Yet, items worth tens of millions were just casually tossed aside, as if they were unremarkable, everyday objects.
Then again, it made sense.
With Madam Xavier’s esteemed status, there was nothing she hadn’t seen.
Why would she cherish these things?
There were simply too many people gathered at the front, blocking Bella’s view of Madam Xavier.
When a waiter passed by, she took a glass of red wine, took a sip, and reflected on what she had gained from her discussion with the experts.
Just by chance, she saw Mason and Scarlett step forward together to present their carefully prepared gift.
However, before they could even offer their birthday wishes, the gift was whisked away by an attendant.
Scarlett tried to step a bit closer but was shoved aside by other guests rushing to present their gifts.
Losing her footing for a moment, she twisted her ankle.
Mason was quick to react, catching Scarlett to support her.
Under the watchful eyes of the entire crowd, he scooped Scarlett up into his arms and hurried toward the exit.
As he hurried past Bella, he didn’t even notice her presence.
The ridiculous part was that if he had just lifted his head slightly, he would have seen her at a single glance.
Yet, his heart and eyes were entirely consumed by Scarlett.
He didn’t spare Bella a single glance.
Instead, it was Scarlett who cast a smug look in her direction.
She curled her lips into a smirk, her face brimming with provocation.
Bella suddenly recalled the moment right before her own fall, when Scarlett had grabbed her hand.
She hadn’t thought much of it at the time, but now, she suddenly understood.
Scarlett had done it on purpose.
She had intentionally pinned her down.
She had given Mindy Jefferson the opportunity to take revenge.
Then, she deliberately fell alongside her.
All to force Mason to abandon Bella and choose to save her instead.
It seemed Scarlett couldn’t wait to show her true colors!
“Did you guys see that?
Mr.
Sinclair was a little too anxious over his R&D director.
They definitely aren’t just superiors and subordinates.”
“I heard Mr.
Sinclair is already married.
He didn’t bring Mrs.
Sinclair tonight; instead, he brought an R&D director.
The two of them have been acting so intimate all evening.
Anyone with eyes can see there’s more going on between them.”
“Mr.
Sinclair even introduced her to quite a few people.
He’s most likely paving the way for Ms.
Sullivan.
After all, in the research industry, connections are the most important thing.
If she can secure a patent or win a major research award, her future will be absolutely limitless.”
A few men walking past were gossiping as they stared at the retreating figures of Mason and Scarlett.
Bella heard their words, but it no longer stirred any waves in her heart.
Just as she was about to contact Nancy Monroe, she heard an excited gasp.
“Forget about Mr.
Sinclair!
I heard Mr.
Xavier is here, and he’s with the daughter of the Lynch family.
It seems the two families are intending to arrange a marriage!”