Chapter 530Castle Banquet, Outshining All
Helen understood immediately after listening.
He wanted to find Mira CollInstagram, who was pretty famous in the elite circles of Mugden. Even a lot of wealthy folks from out of town would come to her for fortune-telling.
But behind the scenes, Mira was involved in a lot of shady business. As long as the money was right, she'd even act as a pimp for high-ranking officials and dignitaries.
"I get what you're saying. Dad's always been into this kind of stuff. I'll set up a meeting between Mira and Dad in the next couple of days. He'll definitely be up for it."
Helen had a plan. "I'll secretly pay Mira to talk you up, saying that you and Jennifer are a perfect match, good for him and great for the Alexander family's fortune."
"On the flip side, if Jennifer marries Gilbert, it'll spell disaster for the Alexander family. Once he hears that, he won't even consider Gilbert anymore and will do everything he can to arrange a marriage between you and the Taylor family."
"That would be awesome! Thanks, Helen." Randy excitedly gripped Helen's hand.
"Randy, we share the same mother and grew up together. Mom passed away early, and Dad married that woman who cheated on him and had a bastard child who competes with us for the inheritance. We have to stick together. If I don't support you, who will?" Helen's words were heartfelt.
She was already married, and her husband was in politics. These past couple of years, they had been targeted by their rivals, making life difficult.
If Gilbert's power continued to grow, she would truly have no standing in the Alexander family.
When it came time to divide the inheritance, Randy would take care of her. Gilbert? He'd be more likely to kill her than help her! So she had to support Randy no matter what.
"But it's not like the old days anymore. Arranged marriages by elders aren't realistic."
Randy played with a cigar between his fingers, his eyes filled with worry. "I've heard that Jennifer is getting close to Evelyn's secretary, William, and Evelyn is very supportive of them being together."
"You know what Evelyn is like. Not only is she deeply loved by Mr. Taylor, but she also has Edward backing her up. She dares to openly challenge the Clark family."
"If she opposes it, marrying Jennifer will be complicated."
Helen's eyes twinkled with a sly smile. "Randy, I think there's a simple and straightforward way to handle this."
"What way?"
"Just sleep with Jennifer!"
Randy was taken aback!
Although he had used this method a few times before, this time it involved the Taylor family, and he couldn't easily make a move.
"Even if we get Mira's help, it's not a sure thing. Even if Dad agrees, Mr. Taylor might not. Instead of worrying, just take Jennifer, forcing Mr. Taylor to marry her to you. Evelyn won't be able to stop it. Even if you can't win her heart, you can still have her body!"
Randy felt enlightened and gritted his teeth, nodding. "You're right."
With their plan set, they toasted and popped champagne.
What they didn't know was that a small bug under the table was quietly blinking red.
On the other end of the bug—at the Rose Club.
Gilbert lounged on a luxurious vintage European-style sofa, his long, slender fingers swirling a glass of red wine. His androgynous, exquisite features were as eerie as a noble vampire.
He had heard Randy and Helen's entire plot, and the more he listened, the more he wanted to laugh.
"Look at my family. Don't they have a knack for comedy?"
"You have such a broad mind. They're plotting against you, and you're not even angry?" Curtis, beside him, was furious and puzzled.
"Why should I be angry? They're doing exactly what I want."
Gilbert raised his glass, staring at the blood-red liquid inside, his smile cold and chilling. "Not only am I not angry, but I'm also going to help Randy. Consider it my wedding gift to him and Jennifer."
Thanks to Helen's behind-the-scenes maneuvering, Elbert successfully met with Mira.
Following Helen's instructions, Mira told Elbert the prepared lines, making it impossible for him not to believe.
In truth, he also wanted Randy to marry into the Taylor family. After all, Randy was his favorite son, and he would always prioritize him.
Even though Gilbert had been trying to please him and doing everything right, the fifteen years of lost father-son relationship couldn't be made up. Gilbert could never replace Randy in his heart.
Charlie was a proud man. Even though Jennifer wasn't born to the woman he loved most, how could he marry her off to his already crippled son?
So he could only keep this matter in mind for now, waiting for the right opportunity to make another attempt, though the chances seemed slim.
Time flew by.
Soon, the weekend everyone had been anticipating arrived.
The news that the Wilson father and son from the Journey Group were visiting Mugden for the first time and hosting a top-tier business banquet had spread among the major wealthy families and the entire city's media.
Tonight, the European-style castle resort on the outskirts of Mugden was entirely booked by the Wilsons. The outside was bustling with activity and luxury cars, but inside, everything was orderly, unaffected by the swarming media.
The level of security and privacy was evident.
The members of the four major families arrived one after another, all choosing to avoid the media and use the temporary VIP entrance.
Even the usually flamboyant Clark family kept a low profile this time.
After all, the horse racing incident was still fresh, and they didn't want to stir up memories online.
"Grandpa, will Uncle Patrick really announce my engagement to Edward at the banquet tonight?"
In the luxury car, Jessica leaned against Maurice, her brows furrowed with worry. "Can Uncle Patrick convince Edward? Edward is so stubborn. I'm really worried."
"Convince? Do you think Edward has a choice? Unless he doesn't care about the Wellington Group's status or being its CEO!"
Maurice exhaled heavily, his weathered face grim and somber. "I've already made a deal with Mr. Wellington. He's very pleased with this marriage. The wedding gift I prepared and the conditions our Clark family can offer—he has no reason to refuse!"
"But... Mr. Byron Wellington has always supported Evelyn. If he disagrees..."
"How long can Byron keep control? Now, it's Patrick who calls the shots at the Wellington Group."
Maurice couldn't help but sneer. "Mr. Wellington's stance is very clear. No matter what, he won't let a woman like Evelyn, who is restless and manipulates his son, enter the Wellington family. Evelyn is too smart for her own good!"
"Jessica, don't worry. She won't be able to block your path into the Wellington family anymore."
"If that's the case, that's wonderful! Thank you, Grandpa!" Jessica's face flushed with excitement, and she began to act coyly.
Originally, she had planned to use tonight's important occasion, in front of the Wellington family, the Taylor family, and the Wilsons, to deliver a fatal blow to Evelyn, humiliating the Taylor family.
But if Maurice had already made a deal with Patrick, she could save herself the trouble.
Tonight, she would let Evelyn off the hook.
In the future, she would find another opportunity to completely ruin Evelyn's dignity, ensuring no man would ever want her again!
Inside the banquet hall, the music was soothing.
The scent of flowers and the glimmer of jewels filled the air as the elite gathered.
Edward didn't arrive with the Wellington family but appeared with Eric.
Edward didn't have a date, but the women didn't dare to covet him, knowing well that he was already taken. They didn't want to embarrass themselves.
Who would dare to compete with Evelyn from the Taylor family for a man? Besides, they wouldn't stand a chance!
However, the way these women looked at Eric was entirely different, filled with "extreme hunger" and "predatory desire."
Eric's relationship with Molly had only been publicly acknowledged once during the horse racing event, so most people were still unaware. Thus, Eric remained the ultimate fantasy for the women of Mugden.
But Eric's eyes no longer saw any other women. These glamorous ladies were less attractive to him than Edward standing beside him.
"Not bringing Molly along, are you up to your old tricks again?"
Edward's cold gaze swept over him. "Trying to show off behind Molly's back?"
"What do I have to do to change your opinion of me?"
Eric glared in frustration.
Edward withdrew his gaze. "We'll see."
"I went to a party last night, and those damn women swarmed me. You can't imagine how terrifying it was."
Eric breathed heavily, thinking of his lonely wife at home. "Molly doesn't like these events. She has severe social anxiety and feels very uncomfortable."
"I didn't want to come either, but I had no choice. Now I'm helping Grandpa manage the Clark Group's affairs. So I had to show up tonight."
Edward's lips curled into a faint smile.
"Congratulations in advance, Mr. Clark."
Eric was stunned, a wave of indescribable joy rising in his heart.
Previously, everyone in the Clark Group and beyond only saw him as a playboy from the Clark family, always distant from the center of power.
He thought it would be a long battle, but he hadn't expected this day to come so soon.
"I'm not officially appointed yet, just acting as a proxy." Eric was modest, but his eyes sparkled with ambition.
"You are Maurice's only grandson. It's only right and inevitable that you are promoted."
Edward patted his shoulder with genuine affection. "Eric, I'm truly happy for you."
"Now that you're stepping into the spotlight, you should quickly divest from your gray enterprises. At least on the surface, you shouldn't have any ties to them. It will affect your future image in the Clark Group and in public."
"Also, I don't want Molly to worry about you every day. Take care of yourself, understand?"
At that moment, Edward seemed less like a friend and more like a brother, speaking with heartfelt concern.
Eric's throat tightened, his eyes moistening. "You're going to make me cry."
Actually, he had already thought about it.
He would seize this opportunity and give Molly a bright future that everyone would envy.
"The KnightSpear Group is here!"
Someone shouted, and Edward's body tensed as if electrified, his posture straightening, his previously calm heart now pounding wildly.
He took a deep breath, adjusted his bow tie, and looked towards the banquet hall doors with unwavering affection.
Eric covered his mouth, laughing.
Anyone who didn't know better might think he was standing at a wedding, ready to greet his bride.
Moments later, Charlie and Landon gracefully entered the banquet hall, followed by two stunning beauties—Evelyn and Jennifer.
One was a mesmerizing, soul-stealing red rose; the other, a delicate, charming white rose.
All the men in the room were captivated by the Taylor sisters, making the other women seem like mere ordinary flowers.
"Undoubtedly, the one who will outshine everyone tonight is Evelyn from the Taylor family."
"Is that Mr. Taylor's little-known daughter beside her?"
"It must be. She's quite pretty, too, standing next to Evelyn without being completely overshadowed. Each has her own charm!"
"Oh, whoever marries these sisters will be the luckiest man alive!"
"You want to marry both? Keep dreaming!"
The men indulged in fantasies about the Taylor sisters.
Edward's eyes darkened, his fingers clenched, a surge of jealousy rising within him.
"Hey, don't get so worked up, Edward." Eric patted his shoulder, laughing. "They're just joking around. As a man, I know them well. They're just having fun."
"You have a broad mind. If it were Molly, could you tolerate it?" Edward's brows furrowed with anger.
"Uh..." Eric was speechless.
Edward took a deep breath, his heart heavy, and walked towards his beloved.
Sensing his presence, Evelyn looked at him.
Their heated gazes met, and her beautiful red lips curved into a playful smile, giving him a cute wink.
Edward's throat tightened, feeling as if she had set his heart on fire.
At that moment, two figures stepped ahead of him, approaching the Taylor family.
"Mr. Taylor, we meet again."
Gavin stepped forward to shake Charlie's hand, then turned his meaningful gaze to Evelyn. "And your beautiful daughter. Our last meeting left a deep impression on us."
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