Chapter 2281

The two staff members checking invitations nearly jumped out of their skin.

“We apologize, Mr. Vargas. We didn’t mean to waste your valuable time. Please, go right in!”

They were extremely respectful. After all, anyone claiming to have worked at the White Palace as a security advisor, dropping names like Kyrie, Luna, and Philip, was no ordinary guest. Normal people would not even know those connections.

Both staff were now 100% convinced that Andrew was one of tonight’s most important VIPs.

Aspen, walking in as his companion, naturally did not need a second look. Nobody would dare check the woman on the arm of a powerhouse guest.

Once they slipped inside the Grand Hall and blended with the crowd, Aspen laughed so hard she nearly doubled over. “Honey, you’re unbelievable. Talking about being a White Palace security advisor… You had those guys eating out of your hand!”

Andrew laughed along with her. “I used this trick all the time when I was overseas. Alright, now we split up and act according to plan. Remember, if you encounter any danger, leave immediately.”

Aspen nodded. “Don’t worry. I’ll help you get that Blackstar Crystal. You’ve been training me in martial arts for so long. I’m not completely useless.”

With that, the two separated. Andrew walked through the crowd in his sharp suit, standing out. Even guys around six feet tall, including foreigners, were slightly shorter than him since Andrew was nearly six-foot-three.

Of course, there were some foreign guys close to six-and-a-half feet tall, too. However, most of them were fat-faced and looking around nervously, probably serving as bodyguards and attendants.

After scanning the room, Andrew noticed that those from Tristars Group had not appeared yet. Meanwhile, all of Chetvine’s elites were already buzzing. The big families, the wealthy clans, and the top business tycoons had their necks craned, waiting for Ezekiel to appear.

At this sight, a flash of contempt passed through Andrew’s eyes. Chetvine had countless wealthy and powerful people, but those with integrity were not so numerous. At least tonight, not a single person from the Lloyd family royalty had come.

It was not because they were not qualified. In fact, the Lloyd family had received over a dozen invitations. Among them were two personally handwritten by Ezekiel himself, one for Donovan and one for Sheena.

However, the Lloyd family side had shown absolutely no response whatsoever. Now that was what you called class.

“Well, well, Andrew, you showed up after all. But you don’t look very eager to be seen!”

As Andrew deliberately kept to the shadows of the pillars, avoiding the main eyes of the crowd, a petite figure stepped directly in front of him with a playful smile.

The moment he saw her, Andrew felt a headache coming on. “Belle, move. I’ve got business to handle, and don’t call me by name.”

Isabelle was wearing a puffy-sleeved dress that made her look very aristocratic. Only her round face, combined with her expressionless demeanor and short stature, made her look very doll-like.

Facing Andrew, her expression was very animated as she coaxed persuasively, “Andrew, you’re here for Ezekiel, aren’t you? What if I said I could take you to find him? Would you go?”

Andrew’s brow furrowed as he began to hesitate.