Chapter 248 Your Happiness

In truth, Sebastian had indeed received an invitation from the university, which was why he made time to go.

As the leading corporation in the city, Lockhart Group naturally sponsored a number of campuses. Each year, they donated a substantial sum for the refurbishment of these institutions, considering it their contribution to charity.

Madelyn’s campus was one of them.

Therefore, when Gerald heard that the CEO of Lockhart Group was about to grace them with his presence, he immediately rallied a group of professors to welcome him.

And so, under the watchful eyes of the crowd, a brand-new Maybach came to a halt at the end of the red carpet.

Malcolm quickly got out of the car and opened the right door. Sebastian, with a stature as tall and straight as an international supermodel, gracefully made his appearance in the public eye.

Dressed in a well-tailored dark gray suit, his already imposing figure was further accentuated, emanating an innate air of nobility. It was as if he had an aura around him, his presence so powerful that it was utterly intimidating.

The sense of nobility that surpassed all things in the world was impeccably embodied in him.

“Wow! He’s so handsome! Who is that guy?”

“Gosh! Could he possibly be a celebrity?”

“I can’t help but feel that even celebrities aren’t as handsome as he is. His aura is just too regal!”

At that moment, countless girls found their gazes irresistibly drawn to Sebastian, their faces flushed with infatuation as they covered their cheeks.

Despite the chaos around him, Sebastian remained unruffled. With a calm demeanor, he strode effortlessly across the red carpet from one end to the other, heading straight toward the hall.

Upon seeing him, Gerald, along with a group of professors, stepped forward to cordially greet Sebastian.

“Mr. Lockhart, as the university president, I warmly welcome you on behalf of all the professors and students. We are honored to have you attend our anniversary celebration!”

The professors that followed each cast their gazes upon this prominent benefactor, showing him immense respect.

Upon seeing the situation, Sebastian courteously nodded. “No need for formalities. Feel free to be at ease.”

“You’re right! I hope you enjoy yourself today!” Gerald’s respect for this major benefactor was beyond measure.

At that moment, Janessa happened to step out of the hall for some fresh air. To her surprise, she spotted Sebastian in the crowd, and overcome with joy, she immediately ran over to him.

“Sebastian!” As soon as Janessa stepped forward, she couldn’t help but exclaim excitedly, “What brings you here?”

The warmth of their interaction could easily lead an unknowing observer to believe they were close.

Upon hearing this, Gerald immediately asked in surprise, “Janessa, do you actually know Mr. Lockhart?”

“Yes! I’ve known Sebastian for quite some time now,” Janessa admitted shyly, nodding her head.

Gerald had the look of someone who had just won the lottery on the spot.

A flicker of indifference flashed subtly in Sebastian’s eyes when he saw Janessa. He didn’t respond, but neither did he deny knowing her.

Indeed, they had known each other for a long time, but they were not particularly close.

“I really didn’t expect to see you here, Sebastian. I’m so thrilled,” said Janessa, her face flushed with shyness. “Oh, and there are going to be many spectacular performances tonight. You must watch them closely, Sebastian.”

Sebastian’s expression remained icy cold when he heard those words.

He was about to respond, his mouth slightly open, when suddenly, a figure in dark blue excitedly rushed over from the entrance of the hall.

Had it not been for Sebastian catching her, the slender figure would have practically thrown herself into his arms.

“Sebastian, why are you here?” Madelyn asked, her voice filled with excitement as she reached out and held his hand.

Some color finally returned to Sebastian’s frosty countenance when he saw Madelyn. However, his attitude remained chilly as he said, “I came because I received an invitation.”

“I see…” Madelyn nodded. At that moment, her gaze unintentionally fell upon Janessa to the side, causing a slight change in her expression. However, she didn’t pay Janessa too much attention.

After twirling in front of Sebastian, Madelyn asked with a sweet smile, “Sebastian, what do you think? Do you like my outfit today?”

Upon hearing this, Sebastian studied Madelyn’s attire.

Given that Madelyn was to portray a young lady from the mid-twentieth century that day, she was dressed in a dark blue flapper dress.

This flapper dress was remarkably unique, with its wide princess-style skirt bestowing upon it an air of refined elegance, befitting a lady of high breeding. Yet, the irregular tassels added a contrasting touch, infusing the garment with a sense of a girl living a vagabond life.

The only possible drawback might be that the color was somewhat dull.

However, even though the color was not particularly vibrant, Madelyn’s exceptional beauty, coupled with her incredibly graceful figure, still perfectly showcased the gentle and peaceful temperament of the dress.

Alternatively, one could even say the outfit was tailor-made specifically for her.

Sebastian stared at her intently. Although he didn’t verbally compliment her, his eyes involuntarily expressed admiration.

A moment later, Sebastian gave a subtle nod, indicating his approval.

Upon seeing him nod, Madelyn instantly brightened up, her joy evident on her face, mirroring the satisfaction of a child. With a beaming smile, she said, "That's great. As long as you're happy, that's all that matters."

After a brief pause, she asked shyly, "By the way, you're here for this anniversary celebration. Can I take it to mean that you're specifically here to watch my performance?"

Seeing her like this, Sebastian found it inexplicably amusing.

However, he still responded coldly. "No."

His expression was somewhat stern, completely serious as he said, "I'm here because Mr. Winston invited me. It has nothing to do with you."

At that moment, upon hearing these words, Gerald immediately expressed his joy and bowed in gratitude, saying, "Thank you for your consideration, Mr. Lockhart."

When Janessa heard Sebastian saying those words to Madelyn, she couldn’t help but feel a secret sense of joy on the side.

“Huh? I see…” Madelyn was clearly a bit disappointed.

After giving it some thought, it made sense. After all, in front of so many people, Sebastian had to respect the campus, so he had no choice but to say one thing while meaning another.

Hence, Madelyn didn’t seem to mind, and with a swift change of expression, she was smiling again. “All right, then. Even if that’s not the case, why not take a moment to watch my performance? After all, I’ve spent quite some time preparing it.”

Upon hearing these words, Sebastian nodded, his face devoid of any emotion.

Afterward, he suddenly and gently patted her head, whispering, “I have some matters to discuss with Mr. Winston, so I’ll be leaving first. You should hurry back to your rehearsal. It’s almost time for you to go on stage.”

The tone of his voice carried a hint of indulgent tenderness.

Upon hearing these words, Madelyn immediately responded with a cheerful wave. “All right, I’ll be going then. Don’t forget to watch my performance later.”

With that, Madelyn turned around and pulled the still-enthralled Janessa with her. “Janessa, you’ve had your fill of looking, haven’t you? Shouldn’t we be heading in for rehearsal now?”

Upon hearing those words, Janessa paused for a moment, casting an unwilling glance at Sebastian.

However, her hands were tied, and she had to follow Madelyn inside.

Sebastian’s face unconsciously softened as he watched the two figures disappear into the hall, only to return to its usual cold demeanor just as unknowingly.

“Mr. Lockhart, let’s head this way,” Gerald suggested at that moment.

Sebastian followed him without showing any emotion.