Madeline’s eyes were full of condescension when she heard Elise’s answer. That’s an authentic
country girl for you—drooling over whatever’s out of her reach! Of course she’d be happy to attend
after hearing she might get a chance to meet with the world’s number one billionaire. How
shameless! She then chuckled. “Sure. Do attend the banquet with Alex.” When Madeline finally left,
Alexander turned to Elise. “I thought you weren’t interested.
What gives?” She answered, “As she just said, my godfather will be attending the banquet as well! It’s
been a long time since I last saw him, so I decided it’s time I meet him again.” Consequently, Alexander
recalled his mother’s words. I wonder how’d she react if she were to know that the Quentin Fassbender
that she’s preying on is the godfather of Elise… That’d be a blast, wouldn’t it? Nonetheless, he had no
intention to reveal the truth to Madeline as he desired for her to eliminate the prejudice she had against
Elise and learn to accept her wholeheartedly.
“Let’s go together, then.” Elise nodded. “Let’s!” … SK Group’s anniversary banquet was held in a manor
that belonged to the Dahlens. The banquet gathered ninety percent of celebrated business owners in
Athesea. Anyone who had gotten the invitation would bring along their loved ones, and that reflected
just how influential the Dahlens were in the business industry of Athesea. “Greetings, Mrs. Griffith,
Young Master Alexander.”
Maxwell Dahlen took the initiative and approached Madeline and Alexander with a warm welcome. As
the owner of the manor, he seemed to have ignored Elise, who was right beside them, as he
proceeded with his passionate chatter with Madeline. Madeline, who enjoyed being treated with utmost
respect, revealed a boastful look with a subtle smirk, posing as a noblewoman. Alexander, on the other
hand, wrapped his arm around Elise’s waist and pulled her close to himself, appearing to be quite
intimate.
Seeing that, Maxwell finally noticed Elise’s presence and inquired, “And this is?” As Madeline was
about to speak, Alexander swiftly replied, “My fiancée.” At his answer, Maxwell couldn’t help but feel
slightly bewildered. Nevertheless, thanks to the countless experience he garnered from dealing in the
industry for many years, he was able to cover up his ignorance. “Oh, yes. I’ve heard about your
engagement, but I’ve never expected her to be such a beauty!
If I may, which grand family do you come from?” Elise, who had nothing to hide, raised her eyes and
smilingly answered, “I come from a prairie. My parents passed away when I was but a girl, and all I had
left was my grandparents.” Hearing her upfront answer, Maxwell couldn’t help but reveal a knowing
look. “I’ve heard about young people practicing spiritual affection nowadays, and my skepticism would
have persisted had I not seen the two of you together.”
Upon those words, Madeline felt somewhat embarrassed, saying, “They’re just kids. They have a long
way to go yet.” Whether literally or implied—all of her words suggested her disagreement toward their
marriage. Maxwell, on the other hand, pretended not to have sensed her meaning and simply notified
his leave. “Please make yourselves at home, Mrs. Griffith, Young Master Alexander. I’m afraid duty
calls.” When Maxwell left the conversation, Madeline shot Elise a resentful glare.
If Alexander weren’t present, she would have rebuked the young woman a thousand times over. “Alex,
Maya’s right there. Should we go and say hi?” Alexander rejected her without a second thought. “Go
ahead. Elise needs a timeout.” Before Madeline could say anything, he escorted Elise to a resting spot,
to which the latter questioned, “What’s wrong with you?” Alexander looked her in the eyes and
suddenly hugged her tight, whispering, “You don’t have to care what my mother has to say, nor do you
need to care what everyone else thinks.
As long as I’m breathing, I’ll always be by your side.” “Mm-hmm,” Elise mumbled as the unhappiness in
her heart waned. “I know. But you don’t have to be so anxious either. It’s normal for families like yours
to be into homogamy, and your mother’s dissatisfaction toward me is only rooted from the idea that
your family is out of mine’s league. Regardless, as long as we’re in love with each other, nothing else
matters.”
“That’s right. Remember that as long as we’re in love with each other, people who wish to split us apart
can only dream on. You know what, Elise? I’ve always had this thought—why are you only eighteen? If
only you were already twenty, I would have married you and brought you home.” Immediately, Elise
blushed and punched his chest. “Stop it!” “I’m serious. Let’s get married as soon as you turn twenty,
okay?”
She grew bashful at his request. All this time, she had always pictured herself as a kid, and talking
about marriage could sometimes stupefy her. “That’ll depend on your performance.” Alexander
earnestly nodded. “I won’t let you down.” “Mhm.” She was satisfied with his answer. The next second,
she finally realized the curious gazes directed toward them, and hastily pushed Alexander away. “Okay,
that’s enough.
Everyone’s looking at us.” Yet, Alexander didn’t seem to care about it. “It’s not illegal to embrace my
own fiancée, is it? Plus, it’s not illegal for them to watch us either, so it’s out of our control.” “But it’s
embarrassing!” Caressing her head, he replied, “Then we shall continue later.” While they were
conversing, Madeline had found Maya. “Maya!” Enthusiastically, Maya approached her with a hug.
“Godmother, you’re here! Is Alex here with you?”
“Yup, he’s right there.” Under Madeline’s guide, she turned to the direction, only to see Alexander
benignly staring at Elise. She couldn’t help but feel envious of the person whom he was looking at with
his bewitching gaze. If only I was the one he’s looking at… “Here’s a gift for you, Maya.” As Madeline
said that, she pulled out an elegant box, to which Maya quickly withdrew her eyes. “You’ve given me so
many gifts, Godmother…”
“Oh, silly girl, don’t be so courteous with me.” Swiftly, she shoved the gift onto Maya’s palm. “Alex is a
slow one when it comes to relationships. If you want to impress him, perhaps you can come visit us
more frequently, even if it’s only to have a chat with me.” “Thank you, Godmother.” “Right! Didn’t you
say Fassbender’s coming too? Where is he?” Madeline quizzed as if she was mindlessly blurting
questions.
Despite that, Maya could easily read her mind. After all, none from families like theirs would care about
emotional attachment; it was always about benefits. “Uncle Quentin will arrive a little later. He’s
probably en route as we speak.” Hearing Maya addressing Quentin as “Uncle Quentin,” Madeline
couldn’t help but wonder how deep the connection between the Dahlens and the Fassbenders went.
For a mighty figure like Quentin, who would never attend an ordinary banquet, to attend the Dahlens’
banquet would mean that he shared a healthy, terrific relationship with them. “I’ll be honest, Maya. We,
the Griffiths, wish to expand our business worldwide, and we know your Uncle Quentin’s business is
developing pretty good out there, so I’d like to ask for a favor—could you perhaps introduce me to
him?”
Maya was stunned by Madeline’s straightforwardness. To be fair, she wasn’t exactly close with
Quentin, nor was she sure whether he would even attend the banquet. All the words she had uttered
was solely to impress Madeline by using Quentin’s name. “It’s not that I’m unwilling to help you,
Godmother, but Uncle Quentin’s a busy man. How about this? I can bring you to him shortly after, but
that’s all I’m able to help you with.”
Madeline was pleased by Maya’s reply. After all, Quentin was not a typical man whom one could easily
meet with during normal days. Now, thanks to Maya’s connection, things were rather convenient for
Madeline. “Thank you, Maya! Don’t worry. I’ll remember everything you did for me.”
Maya responded with a subtle smile, though her heart was enjoying the sensation of being ingratiated.
She then added, “Uncle Quentin’s a kind man. He once complimented the art I made, and even told my
dad that he would consider taking me in as his goddaughter.” Quentin Fassbender’s goddaughter—an
identity every woman would die to have. Although Quentin was an international billionaire, he didn’t
have a child of his own blood.
If one were to be recognized by him as his goddaughter, it would mean more than just being his
goddaughter. It would be an iconic identity, and possibly a gateway to the Fassbenders’ limitless
wealth. Madeline was dumbfounded, her eyes wide and still. “Did he really say that, Maya?”
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