Chapter 716: Another One Pays the Price
The little girl said so, but her eyes sparkled with light. Even though she had seen it many times before, each glance at Jared's solid eight-pack abs still made her involuntarily swallow. Her slender, pale fingers touched them, while her other arm reached up to wrap around Jared's neck.
"Uncle, have you gained some weight recently? Your abs aren't as firm as before."
Jared: ....
This little girl, she was actually teasing him.
The man quickly grabbed the girl's mischievous hand on his body, his voice hoarse as he spoke, "Don't worry, the real workout will start soon, and I'll make sure you're satisfied." Reed family dinner party.
As a newly emerging noble in Ashbury, Hugo had set the dinner in a modestly sized hotel.
The guests included not only company clients but also some newly acquainted families.
"I didn't expect so many people to come today. A starving camel still is bigger than a horse, I guess. I thought the Ashbury Reed family would never rise again."
"What Ashbury Reed family? This Mr. Reed is from Ensford."
"What's there to be happy about? I don't know what kind of dumb luck these country folks had to curry favor with the Farrell family. Without that marriage connection, who would give him the time of day?" "That's why they say Miss Reed is so capable. After all she's been through, Mr. Farrell still stands by her side."
Courtney, Tina's personal bodyguard, overheard all the slander, "These people!"
Unbearable!
The young girl's eyes sharpened, ready to charge!
Tina stopped her, "Don't lower yourself to their level, hitting them would be too kind."
Jared, in a tailored suit, stood by Tina's side, his large hand resting on her shoulder, "Nathan, find out about these people's companies. Since they have so much free time, let's give them something to do." Nathan nodded, "Don't worry, Mr. Farrell, they won't get off easy."
They dared to mess with Tina's maternal family. They were really asking for trouble!
"Tina!"
"Tina!"
Just then, several children's voices excitedly called out and ran over.
Tina didn't dodge; she lowered her head, and soon she was hugged from both sides, "Sally came too. You two little ones, have a good time with your friend today."
Sophia nodded earnestly, "Don't worry, Tina! I'll make sure Zackary doesn't bully Sally!"
"That's nonsense!"
Zackary stamped his foot, "I haven't bullied Sally, right?"
He turned his gaze to Sally.
The little girl wore a dress specially made by Tina for her first attendance at such a gathering, looking extremely timid.
Zackary's defensive tone was a bit loud, startling her.
Sally, clutching the hem of her dress, nodded shyly, "No. Zackary didn't bully me, Miss Reed."
The formal address caught Tina off-guard.
Just as she was about to speak, Juliet approached in an elegant ivory mermaid gown, her face delicately made up, looking striking under the crystal lights, "Tina, when did you get here? I've been watching the entrance the whole time and didn't see you."
She took Tina's arm, and the three of them completely surrounded Tina.
Jared, squeezed out, could only stand aside, his expression full of frustration, causing Nathan, following behind, to lower his head with a twitching smile. Jared: "Funny, is it?"Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.
Nathan shook his head hurriedly, "No, I just..."
He cursed inwardly, unable to keep his mouth from twitching.
"Jared, I didn't expect to find you here."
At the sound of that delicate voice, the attention of the three shifted back to Jared.
"You sound really sweet."
Tina remarked dryly, her smile not reaching her eyes. Jared's hair stood on end as he dodged a woman lunging at him.
"Tina, I don't know her."
The man stood behind Tina, his deep eyes not even glancing at the woman.
His gaze sincerely fixed on Tina.
Such an actor.
When did Uncle adopt this style?
Tina massaged her forehead, remembering the early days when she first met Jared, who had then been all wild and impressive. Over time, his style had increasingly deviated. Nathan: "No, madam, Mr. Farrell has been like this ever since he started dating you. Haven't you noticed?"
Juliet glanced at Jared and frowned at the newcomer, "Miss Lambert, I know you're infatuated, but as a rising star, you shouldn't be throwing yourself at every man you see!" "Let go of me, do you know who I am?!"
Kylie Lambert struggled angrily in Nathan's grip, "Mind your business! Jared, don't you recognize me? I'm Kylie, I went to your company's corporate annual meeting with the vice president." The girl in the pink dress saw Jared and immediately changed her expression, "You even gave me directions then."
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Tina's cold gaze met Jared's affectionate eyes unintentionally, "I don't remember. Nathan, throw her out."
"Right away!"
Nathan grabbed the woman to escort her out.
Kylie Lambert caught his wrist, about to react.
In that instant, a piercing gaze fell on her. The girl's body stiffened, stopping herself from looking away.
Her mouth kept moving, yelling, "Let go of me! I'm the spokesperson hired by the Reed family, who are you to touch me!"
A spokesperson for the Reed family?
Tina's eyes flickered, turning to Juliet, "I remember, my father only hired you as a spokesperson. What's going on with her?"
Juliet's face showed disgust, "Didn't Uncle Reed tell you? Kylie Lambert is a newcomer promoted by the financiers, barely three months in, she's gone from an unknown to the hottest top-tier celebrity." Nobody knew what Kylie Lambert did before.
Juliet had tried to investigate, but this person's background was frighteningly clean.
Her rise had been rapid, in just a few months. She had become a significant competition for her team, and this Reed family endorsement was said to be pushed by the financiers.
Tina was unaware of this.
At that moment, Hugo had noticed the commotion.
He rushed over and saw Kylie Lambert restrained by Nathan, "Nathan, what are you doing? Put Miss Lambert down right now."
Nathan didn't move, his questioning gaze turned to Jared.
The man nodded slightly, and Nathan relaxed his grip.
Kylie Lambert broke free and dashed to Hugo, "Mr. Reed, is this how you treat your guests?! Don't think just because your daughter is with the Farrell family you're something special, a country bumpkin like you shouldn't compete with me!"