Chapter 190

She recounted what Johnny had said about Freya at the banquet. “Freya only joined Cole a few months ago, so how could she have anything to do with its success? But Johnny really does care about her, so he’s willing to share his achievements with her.” “So that’s how it is. I thought she was really that amazing,” she added.

Raven said with a faint smile, “She’s just an undergraduate.”

“Right, whether it’s her school, her qualifications, or anything else, she’s nowhere near your level. When Mr. Hall praised her just now, anyone who didn’t know would think she’s more impressive than Johnny.”

Hearing Raven’s words, Old Mrs. Green’s previously flickering expression returned to its cold state.

A little later, Matteo returned. When he saw Freya and Old Mrs. Miller standing in the front row, he glanced at them for a moment before looking away.

When he came back, Raven smiled at him, “Finished with the call?”

“Probably will get another call later.”

“Is it about the overseas company?”

“Yes.”

Seeing them chatting together, Harry turned his gaze away, but his eyes landed on Freya. He noticed that Freya didn’t seem to be paying attention to Matteo and Raven at all. It was as if she truly didn’t care about Matteo anymore.

The Green family members, on the other hand, wore smiles on their faces. The praise Freya received from Jordan and Old Master Hall was simply to maintain face for the Miller family, but it wouldn’t help her much. After all, the Hall family wouldn’t be trying to matchmake her with Jimmy, right? Everyone could tell that was highly unlikely.

After a while, Old Master Hall greeted everyone again and then entered the private area through the corridor. Freya, Johnny, Matteo, Harry, and the Brown and Green families all entered the area together. It was a large space, so the presence of the Brown and Green families didn’t seem out of place.

The group took their seats in the garden and hall, with servants bringing tea and snacks. Old Master Hall and Old Mrs. Miller were having a pleasant conversation. In addition to Old Mrs. Miller, Old Master Hall had two other friends who were also skilled in traditional painting. When the conversation became lively, Old Master Hall and his two friends decided to paint a piece right then and invited Old Mrs. Miller to join them. He then instructed Jimmy, “Jim, go to the study and bring me the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone.”

“Alright,” Jimmy responded.

Once they finished painting, Old Master Hall praised Old Mrs. Miller’s work highly.

Old Master Hall, Old Mrs. Miller, and their friends continued discussing painting. Meanwhile, Freya and Johnny didn’t join their conversation but sat in the hall, enjoying the tea and snacks. Freya was seated quite far from the Brown and Green families. There wasn’t even any eye contact between them. Unless someone knew the full story, no one would have guessed that they were acquainted.

As for Matteo, he sat with Raven, Harry, Levi, Rex, and others. They were all peers, and being from the same circle, it was quite normal for them to be conversing together.

Seeing that Freya and Johnny were sitting alone, seemingly keeping a distance from everyone else, Jimmy leaned over and whispered to Rex, “Has Johnny still not made up with you guys?” Weren’t they supposed to be working together now? Even if they hadn’t fully reconciled, their relationship should have at least eased, right? Why did it look like things were almost the same as at the banquet?

Rex glanced at Johnny from across the room, thought for a moment, and said, “It seems like Johnny and Matteo aren’t getting along either.”

Jimmy was surprised. He hadn’t heard about any bad blood between them before. He then wondered if it had something to do with Freya and Raven. But before he could think more, he decided to stop prying into others’ private matters.

Jimmy wasn’t one to pick sides, so after chatting with Matteo and the others, he went over to greet Johnny and Freya. “We have more guests than we expected today, so if there’s anything lacking in the reception, please forgive us.”

Johnny smiled and responded politely, “We came uninvited, Young Master Hall, don’t worry about it.”

Old Master Fisher, who was a friend of Old Master Hall, didn’t know much about painting and had only come to show support. When Old Master Hall realized he couldn’t entertain him, he instructed Jimmy to bring out the family’s chess set and tea table, asking him to find someone to play chess and drink tea with Old Master Fisher. Jimmy apologized to Freya and Johnny before going to arrange things.

Old Master Fisher sat down, grabbing a handful of chess pieces, and looked at his friend, Old Master Lowe. Old Master Lowe grunted, “I can never win against you. Find someone else.”

Old Master Fisher looked at Jimmy, “I doubt Jim has time today.”

“Yes,” Jimmy answered, knowing well that there were many guests to attend to. If he sat down to play chess, it would be inappropriate to neglect the other guests.

“How about one of the younger ones?” Old Master Fisher suggested.

Old Master Fisher was acquainted with Matteo. Matteo had been known for his intelligence since childhood and was well-regarded in the circle. Old Master Fisher’s gaze fell on Matteo. “Young man from the Wilson family, you play chess too, don’t you? Would you mind playing a game with this old man?”

Matteo put down his teacup and politely said, “It would be an honor to play chess with you, Old Master Fisher.”

He walked over and sat across from Old Master Fisher. “Please, teach me.”

Raven, Harry, and the others gathered around to watch the game, Freya and Johnny also came over but stood behind Old Master Fisher. Raven, Harry, and the others knew how to play chess. When they saw Freya approaching and paying attention to the game, it seemed like she was also serious about it, so they assumed she knew how to play.

Harry walked over to her and asked, “Do you know how to play chess?”

Freya replied, “I understand a little.”

Johnny: “… It’s not a little, it’s a lot!”