When they returned to the banquet hall, there were only a few minutes left before the ceremony
started. Justin parted with them.
Winnie took a deep breath and said to Stella, “Thanks a million.”
Stella took her hand. “Don’t mention it. I’m glad you are fine.”
Fortunately, when following Chassell, Stella saw a waiter passing by, so she asked him for the key to
the dressing room.
She felt so lucky that she didn't arrived late.
Winnie took a secret glance at her back and whispered, “Who is the guy walking with Mr. Conrad?
They look alike.”
Stella said, “It’s a complicated matter. I’ll explain it to you later.”
Winnie nodded. “All right.”
Suddenly, Elaine showed up from nowhere and squeezed between them. She whispered, “What are
you talking about?”
Stella smiled. “Nothing. We’re praising you.”
“Really?”
“If you hadn’t informed Clarence fast enough, the scumbag would escape tonight.”
Elaine felt shy when hearing the compliment. She blushed and said, “For... real?”
Winnie answered, “Yeah. If you need any help in the future, feel free to let me know.”
Right then, the ceremony started officially. As the host began speaking, Winnie needed to get ready for
her part.
After she left, Stella turned t o Clarence. “What did you ask Nathan to do just now?” she asked.
Clarence raised his eyebrows slightly and said, “Do you know why Chassell Barret keeps going to
Winnie even Channing has hit him so many times?”
Stella was confused. “Why?”
“He planned the collapse on the resort’s construction site four years ago. Now, someone has got hold
of the evidence. Although he’s trying to suppress it, the truth will be revealed sooner or later. When he
divorced, his ex-wife took a remarkable amount of money from him. What do you think he needs the
most right now?”
Stella was taken aback. “The money?”
“Yep. Hence, he keeps reaching out to Conrad Group recently and wants to gain a new project from
Conrad Group. Winnie is also a popular icon right now. He wants to use her in terms of business value,
reputation, and influence.”
Stella frowned. “He’s so disgusting.”
“He tried to approach Winnie several times but failed. But he didn’t cause any harm to her. Thus, even
if Winnie called the police, he could escape without being charged.”
Although it was a cruel truth, Clarence had made a point there.
Chassell was quite scheming. He couldn’t be punished by the standard methods.
Elaine listened to their conversation but was confused. She butted in, “What should we do then? Just
sit and watch that scumbag bully Winnie?”
Clarence glanced at her. “Aren't you staying with your Uncle Caesar?”
“Ah... I looked for him around the hall but couldn’t find him. Don’t change the subject. Tell me what to
do next.”
Clarence raised his hand and pushed her head away. “Mind your own business, kiddo.”
Elaine was speechless.
She pouted and turned to look at the man next to Clarence for support. However, Darnell only cast her
a glance indifferently.
Elaine realized that she had found the wrong supporter.
Soon, Justin appeared on the stage, giving a speech.
They heard discussions in low voices behind. “I truly feel sorry for Mr. Justin. He’s comparable to
Clarence Conrad in terms of appearance and competence. But he just started being in charge of the
Conrad family.”
“I agree. I thought Clarence was the only son from the Conrad family. So I was puzzled why Chairman
Dempsey gave him Conrad Group but suppressed him meanwhile. It turned out that he was making a
second way for himself.”
“If it weren’t for the car accident back then, Justin Conrad wouldn’t be paralyzed. Otherwise, why would
the Conrad family take Clarence Conrad back?”
“Oh, speaking of the car accident, I heard some rumors recently. It’s said the car accident was done by
someone from the family of Clarence Conrad’s mother. They did it to make the Conrad family recognize
Clarence Conrad.”
Upon hearing the rumor, others were shocked. “Impossible! Where did you hear this rumor from?”
“I’m not sure about the source, but it seemed to make sense.”
“If it were true, Justin Conrad should hate Clarence Conrad to the core. But when they showed up here
just now, they looked quite harmonious.”
“I don’t believe that rumor. There’s nothing about Clarence Conrad’s mother in the past decades. I
guess she has run away with the money already.”
“Exactly. How powerful she would be to do something on Justin’s car. If Clarence’s birth mother had
such an ability, why would she become the mistress of his father?”
“The rumor is fake. How could such a ridiculous rumor be spread? I guess someone deliberately made
this up to cause troubles after Justin had become the CEO of Conrad Group.”
Others agreed with this opinion. The rumor was unreliable, so they stopped discussing it and changed
the subject.
Stella looked up at Clarence, who met her eyes. He still looked calm and asked, “What’s wrong?”
She held his hand. “Nothing.”
Clarence checked the time. “Let’s go.”
The charity banquet was starting soon.
Meanwhile, the ceremony went on.
Stella took a few steps and looked back, only to find that Elaine was following Darnell carefully. Elaine
wanted to come to Stella, but she didn’t have the guts.
Stella withdrew her gaze and whispered, “Don’t you guys want to tell her the truth? She still trusts
Caesar James so much now. I’m afraid...”
Clarence said, “Compared with us, Caesar James is her family. She might not believe what we say.
Besides, she’s a simple girl, and others can always see through her from her expression. It’s no good
to tell her the truth.”
Stella understood. “That’s why Darnell wants to keep her by his side, right?”
“Well, that has nothing to do with Caesar James. Darnell is here, and he shouldn’t have any guts to
make any moves.”
“Then...”
Clarence explained, “He’s afraid she would make any trouble.”
Stella curled up her lips into a smile. Although Clarence said so, she could tell that they both were
worried something would happen to Elaine.
The charity banquet was in another hall. When they arrived, Justin was waiting for them at the
entrance.
Justin said, “Clarence, Stella, the ring will be the seventh auction item tonight. I’ve informed the staff to
call the price once. You can buy it directly.”
Clarence nodded.
Right then, Caesar showed up from nowhere. “Since we’re all here, let’s go into the hall, shall we?”
There were a lot of attendees to the celebration, but the guests to the charity banquet were relatively
fewer.
Hence, the auction hall was quiet.
Guests who had arrived were reading the auction lists in their hands.
Justin said, “Please have a seat. I’ll go check backstage.”
Right then, Caesar showed up from nowhere. “Since we're all here, let’s go into the hall, shall we?”
There were a lot of attendees to the celebration, but the guests to the charity banquet were relatively
fewer.
Hence, the auction hall was quiet.
Guests who had arrived were reading the auction lists in their hands.
Justin said, “Please have a seat. I'll go check backstage.”
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