Dolores shared her location with Sampson and then rose from the bed. Just as she did, Coral entered and announced, “The meal is ready.”
“I won’t be having lunch at home. I have something to attend to,” Dolores replied as she tied up her disheveled hair and made her way towards the door. After putting on her shoes, she hurried outside.
She didn’t want Sampson to pick her up from the house, so she walked to an intersection and waited there for him.
Sampson, looking quite different from his usual self, arrived quickly, not keeping Dolores waiting for long.
Since Dolores had known him, Sampson had always been dressed casually or in a white gown. It was the first time she had seen him in a business suit.
Sampson stepped out of the car and opened the door for her.
Dolores didn’t rush to get in the car. She asked, “Is it an important meeting?”
After all, he was dressed formally.
“Not exactly,” he replied dismissively.
Dolores bent down and got into the car. Neither of them brought up the topic again.
Sampson drove while Dolores remained silent.
The atmosphere in the car felt somewhat strange.
“Don’t be nervous. You can just follow my lead later,” Sampson tried to start a conversation.
When the silence grew too heavy, it became incredibly awkward.
Especially since this happened after he had confessed his feelings for her.
Dolores agreed without hesitation, but it was merely out of concern for him, not because of any romantic attachment.
Sampson turned to study her. Her ponytail, her small face, her delicate nose, and her pink lips… every detail about her looked delicate. She had truly grown up and was no longer that little girl.
“Lola, do you find me repulsive because I’m too old?” Sampson smiled, his lips curling.
Dolores chuckled. “Sampson, you’re not old. You’re just in your twenties.”
He wasn’t even thirty yet.
Sampson reached out to stroke her hair. “They say girls are more perceptive. It seems true.”
Dolores pulled his hand away and asked, “Why do I feel like you’re taking advantage of me?”
“Am I?” Sampson smiled.
Dolores pretended to be annoyed and ignored him.
As they conversed, the car stopped in front of a building. A large display screen showcased the history of DF Corporation, and a row of luxury cars were parked at the entrance. Dolores felt an inexplicable nervousness.
A red carpet stretched towards the entrance. On each side of the door, two men in black suits stood, with a senior gentleman in the middle, welcoming the guests.
Upon seeing Sampson approach, the senior gentleman took a few steps forward. “Second master.”
Dolores glanced at Sampson sideways. She knew he had an extraordinary background, but she hadn’t expected him to be part of the Herbert family that controlled DF Corporation.
Compared to the Herbert family, the Nelson family could be considered an emerging force. But it has produced many talented individuals over the generations. With Matthew’s generation, it had become a leading company in B City.
And even DF Corporation, a prestigious brand with a hundred-year history, paled in comparison.
WY Group engaged in various industries. The Excellence Investment Bank, co-invested by WY Group and Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, enjoyed international renown.
Sampson gave a slight nod in response to the greeting.
“Let’s go,” he said, then turned to look at Dolores. “Are you feeling uncomfortable?”
Dolores honestly nodded.
“To be honest, I’m not accustomed to it either,” Sampson smiled. After all, he had no interest in business, and the companies controlled by his family were all managed by his older brother.
“Why were you staying in A Country back then? Did you suffer heartbreak?” Dolores asked suddenly. Considering Sampson’s family background, he shouldn’t have been in A Country, working as a psychologist in a small clinic.
Sampson was momentarily taken aback by the question. He found it amusing. “Why do you think I came here to heal the wounds of a failed relationship?”
“Wasn’t Maria your girlfriend?” Dolores recalled that his mother had mentioned this name when they were at the villa.
From his mother’s words, she could sense that Sampson seemed to care deeply about Maria.
And Maria was the name of a girl because it sounded cute.
Upon hearing this name, the smile on Sampson’s face gradually faded, and his expression darkened. “Her name is Maria Herbert, and she’s my younger sister. I lost her when I was young, and I haven’t found her yet.”
Dolores opened her mouth, intending to say something. She had assumed that Maria was his ex-girlfriend and hadn’t meant to bring up unpleasant memories.
“Sorry…”
“No need,” Sampson smiled again.
In the lavishly decorated hall, people were toasting and chatting with each other. Men were dressed in business suits, while women wore glamorous makeup and dresses, trying to impress their male companions.
However, Dolores wore no makeup, which made her stand out.
“Sampson.” Camilla had chosen a lady from a building materials company to accompany Sampson to today’s banquet, but he had refused.
And now he had brought this girl to the party.
“Mom, this is Dolores Flores,” Sampson introduced Dolores to his mother.
Since this was a significant event, although Camilla felt dissatisfied seeing Samson bringing this girl, she didn’t show it publicly. Instead, she wore a polite smile on her face. “Oh, let’s go over there and get acquainted with some people.”
Sampson had been abroad all year round, and the public had almost forgotten that the Herbert family had two sons. They only remembered the eldest son of the Herbert family, Warner Herbert.
The crystal chandelier, hanging from the center of the second-floor ceiling, illuminated the room, sparkling and dazzling.
In the middle of the hall, a group of people gathered, with one figure standing tall and slender, drawing attention from the crowd. Although Dolores was quite far away, she could recognize who that man was.
For no apparent reason, she became nervous.
Sampson patted her hand. “Relax. I’m by your side.”
“You knew he would be here in advance?” Dolores looked into his eyes.
“I just want to let him know that you have someone to support you,” Sampson replied, holding up Dolores’ hand and walking towards Matthew.
“The business world is the stage for younger generations like you in the future,” Simon Bridges, the former president of Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation who rarely attended events after his retirement, chuckled and said, “Among the young generations, the most promising one is undoubtedly Matthew.”
“Mr. Bridges, you flatter me,” Matthew responded, one hand in his pocket. With Helen linking her arm with his and the other hand holding a glass of red wine, he looked captivating and charismatic under the lights.
“I heard that WY Group has established…” Warner began to speak. When he saw his younger brother approaching with a girl, he was taken aback.
“Sampson, who is this?” Warner asked.
Sampson led Dolores over. “She’s my girlfriend,” he said, stealing a glance at Matthew.
It was as if he was trying to take Matthew’s place.
Since Matthew refused to acknowledge Dolores’ identity as his wife, Sampson saw this as an opportunity.
Dolores hadn’t expected Sampson to say this publicly.
Instinctively, she tried to withdraw her hand, which Sampson was holding tightly to prevent her from escaping. He smiled and asked, “What are you afraid of?”
Dolores felt an inexplicable sense of guilt and couldn’t even raise her head.
Smiling, Warner introduced Sampson to the crowd. “This is my younger brother. He has been abroad all year round and has just returned. I would appreciate it if you could lend him a hand in the future.”
Helen clenched her fists. “Ms. Flores…”
Matthew slowly raised his eyelids. He briefly glanced at Dolores’ face and then resumed his indifferent and aloof expression.
Dolores, who had been unsettled, gradually calmed down in the face of Matthew’s indifference.
She realized that her previous nervousness had been quite ridiculous.