Then he rubbed his temple, annoyed.
"Almost everyone is here. Where is that damn Lady Zhao?"
"There she is," Jacob said, pointing discreetly across the hall.
Aidan followed his gaze.
Raven was seated alone in the farthest corner of the room, quietly sipping a mocktail.
"But how did I miss her?" Aidan frowned. "This is the only entrance."
Without waiting for an answer, he pushed Jacob aside and headed straight toward her.
Raven hadn't noticed him.
A waiter stood between them, blocking her view.
"Miss, you should try our Blue Lagoon," the waiter suggested politely.
"No," Raven said, shaking her head after a glance at the menu. "That one's too tangy. Bring me a Lime Berry Blast."
She handed the menu back.
The waiter nodded and carefully collected the four large glasses of mocktails she had already finished.
"So Madam is here." He clicked his tongue and pulled the chair, sat down, and said, "I was standing there for so long."
"When did you come in?" He looked at her and asked.
"Half an hour ago. Why? And shouldn't you be there with Uncle Evan? I saw him at Table 9." Raven replied. Aidan rolled his eyes. "I was waiting for you. Your father asked me to bring you. But you clearly disregard others' efforts."
"Right. Now that I am here. Leave." She dismissed him. Nodding at the waiter who served her the fifth mocktail she had ordered. She sipped it slowly and said, "Don't blame me; I passed by your side, and you couldn't see me."
"Liar." Aidan turned to her and slid her glass to his side. "God, I am thirsty." He used the same straw, marked with Raven's brown lipstick, and sipped half the drink in one go.
"Strong." Aidan said, "Did you add alcohol in this?" He asked, taking another sip, and the glass was empty, "Tastes like Sprite to me."
Raven dumbfounded stared at him.
"That was my drink—" she muttered in disbelief.
"You already had four." He stared at her with his eyes wide. "Oh…come on. I'll order another for you."
"I don't need it. I already ordered something else." Raven threw an annoyed gaze at him. She couldn't believe how shameless he had grown up to be. She remembered him as someone responsible and respectful.
Aidan relaxed. Noticed her dress, the one he gave her, and the jade bracelet on her right hand. A smile played on his lips; it comforted him to see her dressed for the occasion.
Raven noticed his stare, and it reminded her to ask, "You said it was the uniform. For whom? I am the only one wearing this denim kaftan."
"Who says? Look at me, I am wearing this denim coat too." Aidan replied, brushing her off, "It's the dress code for the Zhao and Evan Ventures."
"When did they form this company? Yesterday? Or ten minutes ago?" Raven was no fool; she understood that it was him who bought this dress in a hurry.
"Apparently, you were embarrassed of me. You should have refused my dad." Raven bitterly mentioned, "Now, your job is done, Mister Aidan; you can leave me alone."
"You are mocking me." Aidan instantly realized she was mimicking Miss Zuo.
"Are you offended? Yes?!" Raven widened her eyes, teasing him, "Then…why don't you stand up and leave me alone?"
Raven threw a smirk. "You are insufferable."
Aidan shifted the direction of his head, locking his gaze at the podium. But he didn't move.
…
The guests applauded politely as the panelists concluded their speeches.
Across the hall, business cards passed from hand to hand among the elites, exchanged with practiced smiles and measured nods.
Assistants and secretaries moved quietly between tables, leaning close to whisper updates into their employers' ears.
Numbers were discussed in low voices. Promises were hinted at rather than spoken aloud.
Deals made tonight would not be announced publicly, yet the consequences would ripple through the market by morning.
By the time the sun rose, the share prices of several companies would shift—some rising, others falling—because of agreements quietly sealed beneath the chandeliers of this hall.
"Aidan! I didn't know you'd come?" Benedict White, the regional manager of his father's company, approached Aidan, shook hands, and, with a quick glance at Raven, asked mockingly, "Is that your date?"
"No," Raven instantly replied.
Her glass of Lime Berry Blast was half empty; she didn't like the taste and just played with the straw, not knowing why she was invited to the boring conference. Her father was sitting with Evan and had strictly instructed her to stay put and not disturb him unless he summoned her.
"Well, Aidan, I think you should go over to your father. He just signed a big deal with us." Benedict said, glancing at the two old men who were sitting with an unfamiliar face, "That lad is interesting. He impressed them both in the first meeting."
"You are right. And he is?" He asked, his brows knitted, curiosity itching his throat.
"That's the eldest son of Shahs." Benedict answered, "Recently joined the business; he is a genius. The company reached its all-time high last year under him."
"That's not impressive. What's powerful is that he impressed those two!" He stood up, grabbed the Raven's glass, and drank the whole thing left.
Raven wasn't surprised; she had seen him eying her glass earlier. She sighed deeply and rolled her eyes. Meanwhile, Benedict's eyes glowed. "She is not your date, so who is she?"
"Uncle William's daughter. Raven Zhao." He introduced himself.
"Ah…I see, the bargain chip." Benedict gave a thin smile.
"What did you say?" Raven caught his words and looked at him, surprised.
Just then, a waiter approached Raven's table and informed her, "Miss Zhao, you have been called to Table 09."