Chapter 232: The banquet buzzed with energy; the clinking of glasses and echoes of laughter filled the grand hall. Keanu's eightieth birthday—a milestone commanding respect—had drawn Ontdale's most influential families, eager to pay their respects.
Inside the lavish hall, familiar faces mingled, raising their glasses.
"A toast to Mr. Stevens on reaching this incredible age!" one guest called out.
"Mr. Stevens, your granddaughter-in-law—ah, forgive me, your granddaughter—is truly a treasure!" another voice chimed in. "Indeed, Ms. Clarke's gift is remarkable! That delicate porcelain from the pottery master, Emanuel Welsh, is no ordinary item. Not just anyone can acquire such a thing!"
All eyes turned to Allison, standing elegantly beside Keanu. Her presence commanded attention, and the porcelain masterpiece seemed to reflect the admiration she received. Keanu's eyes twinkled as he patted her shoulder proudly.
"Of course! Allison is a rare gem—far better than any grandson of mine. Talented, capable, and with a flair for creating perfumes! If any of you have young men around her age, you'd better match them wisely while you can!" Allison shot him a playful yet exasperated look.
"Keanu, there's no need to rush." But that was Keanu—always thinking ahead about her future. Tonight, he had grand plans: introducing her to influential people, laying the groundwork for potential business ventures, and perhaps even playing matchmaker.
"What a coincidence!" someone said, stepping forward eagerly. "My grandson is close to Ms. Clarke's age."
Before the man could finish, a cold voice sliced through the air. "I can't imagine anyone in their right mind wanting a woman so flighty!" Colton's tone was icy, his dark eyes devoid of warmth. He scanned Allison from across the room, noting her poise and radiance; yet, when their eyes met, it seemed she didn't recognize him. In the past three years, the woman who once greeted him with tenderness now seemed as distant as a stranger. Colton's expression darkened. Hearing his grandfather attempt to pair Allison with someone—and worse, seeing others' genuine interest in her—fueled an unspoken fury within him.
The other man looked caught off guard, his smile faltering. "Mr. Colton Stevens, what exactly do you mean by that?" No one expected Colton's sudden appearance, much less his blatant disregard for tact.
Rex Stevens, Colton's father, visibly bristled. His glass hit the table with a loud thud, and he shot his son a glare that could freeze a flame. "Colton! How dare you speak to your grandfather's guest in such a manner?" Rex was stunned—his obedient son acting so foolishly in front of so many people, and worse, embarrassing the family.
Rex's secretary, sensing the rising tension, quickly refilled his glass. "It's his youth, sir. Hot-blooded, as they are at that age."
Lindy, lurking nearby, barely concealed the jealousy burning in her chest. Her eyes shimmered with frustration as she approached Rex gracefully with her glass. "Darling, let's not escalate this. Colton didn't mean it, and we should leave the younger ones to sort themselves out." Her graceful demeanor and practiced charm contrasted starkly with the less poised figures in the room, particularly the flustered secretary at Rex's side.
Keanu, watching with anger, pointed a finger at Colton. "What are you doing here? I don't recall inviting you!" Colton's face tightened; his jaw clenched, and his hands balled into fists. "Grandpa, I'm only here to keep you from being deceived. That woman you're praising so highly is far from the saint you think she is. She's shallow, vain, and completely undeserving of your trust!" With that, Colton pulled out a document.