Chapter 97 The Launch Site

(Lina's POV)
Rafael looks in good shape, at least, his face is no longer as terrible as before.
After we arrived at the venue, we were taken to the temporary resting place by the person in charge.
I guess my previous insistence was right, and I really shouldn't have come here.
My eyes took just a cursory glance around, and then, my gaze met William's.
Some time has passed, plus a lot of things have happened recently, so I have no intention of pursuing what happened in the first place.
However, seeing William on this occasion still made me feel a little awkward.
William didn't seem to care about me, he took one look at me and averted his gaze.
I think William is afraid he doesn't know exactly how he should face me.
At this time, Raphael suddenly reached out and wrapped his arm around my waist, I looked up at Raphael, but, Raphael's gaze was on the other side.
I saw Rachel.
Today, I have formed a very perfect family with Rafael and I don't think that there will be anyone left to interfere with us.
Just as I was about to comfort Raphael, someone more concerning to me appeared in front of me.
Mary came up to me.
To be honest, I didn't expect Mary to be in this place at all.
Mary walked past me, but there was still some distance between us, so she didn't notice me. Then I saw her walk over to William's side and finally sit down.
Then, surprisingly, they talked to each other.
Although my father and I do not have a good relationship, out of duty, I still keep an eye on things in the Lester family.
As I recall, it was the Hill family who was the star of this launch.
"I know what you're thinking," Rafael said suddenly.
I looked up at Rafael, "Why is she here?"
"Although the protagonist of the launch is us, our partners can still invite other people, your father is one of the people they invite, you do not understand, although the competitiveness of the Lester family does not reach a certain level, your father still has a certain value, since the York family wants to develop in New York, they must play well with these groups relationship."
Rafael slightly tilted his head, his mouth was close to my ear, such a whisper, although the content is very serious, still looks very ambiguous.
I reached out, gently rested my hand on Rafael's chest, and pushed him away.
Rafael's eyebrows raised, and he seemed a little surprised.
I still put on a very calm expression.
"It's too close, Raphael, we should still look good out there."
Who knew that Rafael, who heard me say these words, would simply burst out laughing.
"Okay."
What surprised me, even more, was that Rafael agreed.
I gave Raphael a strange look, but I quickly withdrew my gaze.
"Lena, I think you should already know exactly what to do next."
I brought my gaze back, and then, I nodded, "I'll try."
An hour before the official start of the launch, we had arrived to take our seats at the venue.
Because Rafael had to attend to other things afterward, the two of us were forced to separate.
However, my job was much easier after that.
I just had to sit in my seat until the launch was over and then leave with Rafael.
Hopefully, it will all go well together.
I was one of the early arrivals, and it took an hour after that for the others to arrive.
Because of many people I didn't know, William and the others stood out.
When people were almost here, there was an empty seat beside me.
I had thought that this was a deliberate arrangement by Raphael, but it turns out that I was still thinking too much.
Fifteen minutes before the launch, my father arrived at the venue.
However, he didn't seem to know where he was supposed to sit until he saw the empty seat next to me.
The moment I saw my father, I seemed to forget exactly how I was supposed to breathe.
I could even feel myself tensing up, my back was starting to sweat, and before I knew it, I was picking the skin off my hands with my fingernails.
Although I always consoled myself in my mind not to care too much, after all, my father had done many things to me that I could not stand.
Still, I couldn't control my emotions.
He ended up sitting next to me.
My father still looked very cold, his face could not see any expression, and the emotions inside his eyes were all cold.
Even when he was surrounded by me, he didn't react.
Lena, if he's already like this, why are you nervous?
I questioned myself in my mind, but that didn't have much effect.
Well, the launch finally started.
My emotions finally relaxed.
Although they were the only ones talking in the scene, that's exactly why I was able to avoid the awkwardness of talking to him.
However, I didn't expect that he would strike up a conversation with me first.
"Lena." My father didn't even look at me as he called my name until after I had turned my head away, and then he continued, "It seems like a long time since we've seen each other."
"Yes." I suppose my smile was very far-fetched, and after realizing this, I put away my smile.
"Are you doing okay? Is Rafael treating you well?"
I took a deep breath, hoping to steady myself.
But I can deceive many people, I can disguise myself in front of many people, but there is no way I can do that in front of my father.
I must admit that he was not a good father, at least not for me. But there is no way to change the fact that he is my father.
So, I was silent for a long time.
It was only at last that I broke the silence: "Rafael has been good to me, Dad, and I'm living a happy life, or at least very happy right now."
My father stopped talking, he just nodded gently, and just when I thought he wouldn't say anything further, he opened his mouth again, "Your mother will be happy too."
I didn't know what kind of attitude to take, I didn't want to hear about my mother from him, though-
Although I don't blame him.
"Lena, after you wait, can you meet with me? I think we should have a chance to have a good chat."
I turned my head to look at him and found him looking at me.
At this time, Rafael's voice suddenly became loud, and such a move attracted the attention of many people - including me.
I stopped looking at my father, but I agreed to his request.
"Okay, Dad."
(Raphael's POV)
It is a pity not to be able to be by Lena's side.
However, I could watch her from the stage.
Lena sat in the middle of the crowd, still the one who shone the brightest.
Her beauty cannot be hidden, whether it's a smile or any other action, Lena is full of charm.
William had already snuck a few glances at Lena, but he seemed to think I didn't know.
It seems that I was light on my feet last time.
I should find another opportunity to teach William a good lesson.
The journalists' questions were so boring that if only they had taken a little more time to read up on the project, they wouldn't have to ask me to answer such questions now.
I turned these questions over to Landon.
However, I soon realized that Lena's attention didn't seem to be on me.
Lena seemed to be talking quietly to the person next to her.
To be honest, I didn't recognize it as Lena's father at first.
Mr. Lester has changed a bit, and I think a big part of the reason for that would still be worrying about his business.
I didn't tell Lena the truth.
New York already had Hill, yet now, there's going to be another York. Smaller companies without a solution to this crisis are likely to simply go out of business.
A long time ago, I have thought about whether to buy the Lester family property or not, however, Mr. Lester does not seem to be a man of business.
Lester's company was already facing a financial crisis.
So, he doesn't look as strong as he did before.
However, I am now more concerned about the content of the conversation between them.
The reporter's next question should still have gone to Landon, but instead, I interrupted him.
I had thought that Lena would look at me like this, but as a result, she simply ignored me.
I had to raise the pitch a bit again, and Lena finally sensed my presence.
He looked at me with some alarm, but Lena gave me a smile in response.
I am very happy with this.
My voice lowered again.
When that question was all answered, I gestured to Landon to continue. Then, I turned my attention to Lena.
The launch went by very slowly, but it was over in the time I expected.
By the time we got home, Lena was sitting in the car and surprisingly wasn't talking to me.
I know that this matter must be related to her father.
"Lena, are you sitting with your father today?"
Lena nodded slowly as she remained silent.
"So, what did you all say?"
I looked over to Lena, who surprisingly sighed.
This put my mood on edge.
Just as I was about to press on, Lena turned her head to look at me, she still seemed a little hesitant, but I gave her an encouraging look.
"It's okay."
"Rafael, the day after tomorrow I plan to meet with my father."