Chapter 35 Ulterior Motive
Chapter 35 Ulterior Motive
"Mr. Kevin, did you come for the project tonight?"
"I heard that AN Group is determined to get this project. Is that true?"
"Can you tell us why you are here tonight?"
"Mr. Kevin!"
Kevin didn't spare a glance to the clutter of people surrounding him. His sharp-featured face was cold as always, and his deep eyes were invariably emotionless.
Keeping a steady stance, he extended his fair and slender hand in the direction of the car. Soon, a bright figure came into everyone's sight.
That night, Cherry was stunning. She was wearing a white evening dress inlaid with a myriad of diamonds. Her hair was gathered in a bun, and her graceful features were highlighted by a delicate makeup.
She stood beside Kevin and smiled at him quietly.
An unparalleled beauty and a handsome rich young man, they were a match made in heaven.
All the reporters and guests that were present that night seemed to be impressed by them.
Reveling in their admiration, Cherry raised her head proudly. She settled her left hand into Kevin's palm as she smiled at him graciously.
Cherry was a beautiful woman and the Ye Clan had always been wealthy. She would attract everyone's attention even by wearing modest clothes and a suitable makeup.
What was more, she had such an exceptional man by her side at that moment.
How could she not be in the spotlight that night?
When the two entered the banquet hall, every gaze was naturally drawn to them. Kevin started to chat with some of the celebrities and politicians around him, and many upper-class ladies rushed to accost him.
"Oh my God, Miss Cherry. How big those diamonds are!" a woman exclaimed while approaching Cherry. "Where did you get that customized dress?"
Although her voice was a little fussy, Cherry strangely appreciated her comment.
Flashing a graceful smile, she looked down at her dress. "Thank you for your praise. This dress is a gift from Kevin. I don't know who designed it, though."
Then, straightening her head, she added,
"After all, Kevin never lets me worry about such things."
"Oh my God, I really envy you." It didn't take long before Cherry got surrounded by a group of women. "Even if Mr. Kevin is married, he still loves you very much."
"What are you talking about?"
The woman next to her had accidentally said something wrong, but she didn't notice that Cherry's face had turned cold at once. It wasn't until someone nudged her that she came to her senses. "I mean, Mr. Kevin's heart obviously belongs to you. Miss Cherry, you are really a happy woman."
Cherry took a deep breath and smiled. "Thank you. Kevin will always love me, or I wouldn't be here today. Don't you think so?"
Despite her smile, her tone was slightly serious.
Those women knew that Cherry was unhappy, so they had to change the topic, not daring to add anything else about her relationship.
"I heard that Mr. Kevin is determined to get the project tonight?"
"I don't know." Cherry turned around and looked in Kevin's direction. He was always so dazzling. Even in that vast sea of people, Cherry could immediately spot his radiant figure. "But Kevin never gives up easily."
"Mr. Kevin is indeed the man that all women in the city want to marry. Miss Cherry, you and him are really meant to be together."
"Yes, yes! You are meant to be together!"
The people around her were flattering her again. Even though she knew that they might not mean what they were saying, Cherry was still very pleased with their words. After taking a content sip from her glass, she said goodbye to them and strutted gracefully toward Kevin.
Seeing her walking in his direction, Kevin excused himself and slipped out of the circle of people around him.
He picked up two glasses of champagne from the tray that a waiter beside him was carrying and handed one to Cherry, who was now in front of him.
"How do you feel of the party? Are you bored?"
Watching her grab the glass and lower her head to take a sip of champagne, he couldn't help but laugh. "What were you talking about just now? You look so happy."
"What do you think?" Cherry smiled gently. As she was about to speak, a strange voice broke in from beside her.
"Mr. Kevin, you are so affectionate!"
Kevin had never expected Ryan to make his appearance at this party. He had disliked this man at first sight.
His dislike persisted even now that he saw him again.
He turned in Ryan's direction with a frown.
"Why are you here?"
'Is Ryan also interested in this project? What an unexpected coincidence!' he thought.
"That's what I wanted to ask you, too. I didn't expect that Mr. Kevin would come with a woman."
Ryan was also particularly outstanding that night. If that was a competition, he and Kevin would be contending for the spotlight equal to equal.
He was not intimidated by Kevin's imposing demeanor at all. He kept instead an indifferent stance while standing beside him.
"What do you mean?"
With one hand casually settled in his pocket, Kevin raised his head and looked into Ryan's eyes.
Ryan smiled and brought his glass of champagne to his lips to take a sip. "Nothing. Where is Mrs. Anne? Didn't she accompany you on such an important occasion?"
At this, Cherry, who was standing at Kevin's side, started to feel already pissed off.
Although she was not familiar with the man in front of her, she had seen him on the front pages of various magazines. She knew that he was a powerful man.
But she didn't understand why this man always spoke for Anne. Was there any relationship between them?
"Anne is pregnant, so..."
Flaunting a considerate smile, Cherry wanted to explain the situation, but Kevin interrupted her by touching her hand.
"Ignore him. I will never bring her to such an occasion."
Hearing him pronounce those words made Ryan's hand tighten around his glass. He stared straight into Kevin's eyes and lowered his voice to a deep growl. "What did you say?"
If he had known that Kevin held Anne in such low regard, he would have never let her stay with him. Belongs to (N)ôvel/Drama.Org.
Now it seemed that Anne's life was really miserable.
As he was about to take it out on Kevin, Charlie quickly stepped forward, placing himself beside him, and whispered, "Don't forget why you are here today."
At those words, Ryan remembered and shifted his gaze back to Kevin. "Kevin, if you don't like her, don't hurt her."
Then he turned around and left. With a nod at Kevin, Charlie left too, following Ryan.
While Kevin watched Ryan's receding figure, his eyes grew colder. Cherry was confused. Why didn't she know that there was such a person behind Anne?
"Kevin, who is he?"
Seeing that Kevin's enraged eyes were still fixed on Ryan, she gently pulled his arm to draw his attention. "He seems to know Anne."
"Never mind him." Withdrawing his gaze from Ryan, he raised his wrist and looked at his watch. It was almost time for the bidding.
He would definitely get the project tonight.
Afraid of disturbing him, Cherry didn't ask any more questions and stood quietly beside him.
In the garden of the hotel, Ryan was sitting by the parterre. With his head lowered, his face was so dark that no one could see his expression.
"You were too impulsive back there."
Walking up to him, Charlie addressed Ryan in a blaming tone. He had been away for a while, and when he was back, Ryan had already made some trouble.
Despite knowing that this was Kevin's territory, Ryan couldn't help but take action.
He raised his eyes and asked in confusion, "What do you mean? Did I do something impulsive?"
For Ryan, being impulsive had nothing to do with what had just happened with Kevin. He had done nothing to Kevin, after all, except for a few curses.
Charlie, of course, knew what Ryan was thinking. He sighed and said, "I've told you that Kevin is a cold-blooded man. You can't afford to offend him."
Ryan knew that Charlie reproached him for his own good, but every time Kevin used that tone to talk about Anne, he felt inexplicably angry and sad.
"I know." Ryan nodded and added in a much calmer tone, "I just don't like his attitude."
"But you should also be aware of the consequences if you offend him." Charlie shook his head helplessly. "You have no idea what he is capable of."
"Really?" With a sneer, Ryan straightened his body. "Then let him try."
"You!" Charlie's tone was dry and disappointed. "Do you still want to compete for the project tonight?"
Narrowing his eyes to two fierce cracks, Ryan nodded. "This project is under Kevin's control. We are just stirring up some trouble."
"Oh, I see. We are just here to cheer things up." With a smirk, Charlie patted Ryan on the shoulder. "Well, let's get inside now. It's starting."
"Don't worry. Have another drink."
After he finished up the champagne in his hand, his eyes fell on the crowd in the hall. He would enter when the bid reached the climax.
"Fifty million. Mr. Kevin is offering fifty million. Is there anyone who wants to bid higher?"
Holding the wooden gavel in his hand, the auctioneer raised it in the air with excitement. He knew that as long as Kevin would be present, the price of the project would not be low.
But he didn't expect Kevin to bid so high. After his offer, silence fell upon the crowd around him.
"Going once, going twice..."
The auctioneer's voice was echoing in the hotel hall. Cherry grabbed Kevin's hand nervously, only to find that it was cold as an icicle.