Chapter 653: An Oath of Sovereignty
Elvis led Joyce to the annual party. "Aunty, I'll stay with you," he said, smiling.
"No need," Joyce replied. "You've already attracted attention. Olive's matter is unresolved; we need to keep a low profile. Go ahead." She waved him away.
Elvis had indeed drawn a crowd. Since Clara and Molly's situations remained unresolved, discretion was necessary. He hesitated, wanting to leave but remaining where he was.
"Yes?" Joyce looked at him suspiciously.
"Why aren't you leaving?" Elvis chuckled. "Aunty, if I leave, nothing earth-shattering will happen, right?" He understood his mother-in-law's desire for a low profile, but her very nature made that impossible. She was inherently high-profile; everything she did was vigorous and impactful. He was, frankly, afraid of her.
Joyce disagreed. She had successfully maintained a low profile in Greenland. "Don't worry, I'll just look around. I'll be leaving soon." She patted his shoulder reassuringly.
Elvis finally left. Joyce approached the food area, its array of desserts and red wine tempting. She took a glass of red wine and quietly sipped it.
Damien arrived, instantly captivating everyone's attention. Financial tycoons and business executives surrounded him, showering him with attention. "My God, Mr. Robert, it's been a long time! We didn't expect you at Augustine's annual party." "What has Mr. Robert been up to? We haven't seen you in ages." "Do you have time for dinner tomorrow?" The wealthy vied for his attention.
Basking in the bright lights, he was revered like a god. As Canada's son and the world's richest man, Damien was a business legend, the founder of an era. Yet, before these powerful figures, his handsome face remained impassive.
His gaze drifted to Joyce, who was discreetly drinking. The wine was a little spicy, causing her to stick out her tongue. Damien found her amusing, even slightly foolish.
Joyce, meanwhile, had become the focus of many, including the CEOs around her. "Look at that beauty!" "She's unusual; I've never seen anyone like her." "How old is she? Twenty-eight?" "I doubt it." "She seems so innocent and playful. She'd be easy to approach." "Hey, I saw her first!"
Damien scoffed when he saw the impending argument over Joyce. Twenty-eight? Their daughter, Olive, was only twenty-three! He had to admit, though, that Joyce looked remarkably young. People often mistook her for Olive's sister. Still, her ability to draw such attention from so many men irked him.
One of the bosses, unable to contain himself, was about to approach Joyce when a sudden chill ran down his spine, as if under an intense stare. He looked up to find Damien's gaze upon him – light, yet terrifying. The CEO froze. Looking from Joyce to Damien, comprehension dawned. He tentatively asked, "Mr. Robert, do you know that beautiful woman?"
Damien elegantly sipped his wine and snorted. "I know her."
His admission stunned the assembled executives. It was a clear declaration of possession, a silent oath of sovereignty.
Joyce, finding the wine less appealing, was about to get a different glass when two women approached. One was Catalina, who had recently been on a blind date with Damien, and the other was her friend, Lesley.
Lesley glared at Joyce with open hostility. Catalina, a calmer woman, tried to de-escalate. "Lesley, forget it. Let's not cause trouble here," she whispered, tugging on Lesley's sleeve.
"Catalina, what are you talking about?" Lesley retorted. "It's Damien! You've liked him for over ten years, falling for him the moment you saw him on TV. No other man has mattered since." She paused for breath. "Ten years later, and Mrs. Robert finally sets you up with Damien, only for this vixen to ruin everything! Aren't you going to do something about it?"
Catalina's eyes welled up. Years of waiting, almost reaching fruition... She had seen Joyce at the party and told Lesley what had happened. Lesley, enraged, was now intent on confronting Joyce.
Joyce, understanding the situation and recognizing the women's malicious intent, hooked her lips into a playful smile, her intelligent eyes twinkling as she patiently awaited the ensuing drama.