Lucas’s words made it seem like he was innocent, hinting that Dave had kept things from him on purpose and didn’t want to admit his connection with Bianca or introduce her.
Dave frowned and looked at Bianca.
Bianca smiled just as he was about to speak, and her eyes brightened as she responded kindly, “Of course. He didn’t tell you because he didn’t want to upset you.”
Seeing Bianca’s calm but protective response, Dave let out a deep sigh of relief, feeling a warm and comforting sense of peace in his heart.
Lucas’s sharp stare softened a bit, realizing his efforts to create tension between Dave and Bianca had failed.
“I’m happy he’s found someone he loves,” Lucas said with a smile, hiding his true intentions. “I must say, he has good taste. Bianca, this is our first time meeting. I don’t know much about you or your family. What do you do?”
The guests were curious about Bianca. Their eyes stayed fixed on her, and they wanted to find out more about her background.
At first, they thought she was just a secret lover, but Dave’s clear declaration of her as his girlfriend changed their minds.
If she had won Dave’s affection, they figured she must hold some importance.
Knowing Bianca’s background, Lucas deliberately mentioned it in front of the crowd, trying to embarrass her.
He knew that despite the obvious differences between her and Dave, she had boldly tried to win his heart, which seemed a bit too ambitious.
Bianca noticed the crowd gathering from the corner of her eye. With a calm smile, she responded smoothly, “I manage a small agency and work as an agent. My family is just like any other-nothing special.”
Her answer immediately sparked a buzz among the people watching.
“What? She’s just a small agency owner. How did she end up with Dave Evans?”
“Why would he even be interested in her?”
“Maybe she has her own ways of charming him in private. It looks like he’s completely under her spell…”
“No wonder his grandfather opposes their relationship. If he were my son, I’d be furious too.”
For influential families, identity and status were everything. These factors were especially important when choosing spouses for their heirs.
They preferred alliances with families of equal standing, often using marriage to strengthen business ties.
While the wealthy could freely choose lovers, when it came to wives, they only sought women from prestigious families.
For these families, the worst thing was to associate with people from the lower ranks of society, as it would tarnish their respected lineage.
Lucas kept the story of Dave’s parents hidden from the public. If it had been known that Dave’s father had married a woman from humble origins, it would have brought shame to the Evans family.
So, Lucas covered up the truth about the background of Dave’s mother, saying that the couple’s death was the result of an unfortunate accident.
This secret eventually became the subject of gossip among the elite.
Bianca watched the discussions around her, keeping a calm face while feeling anger rise inside.
Despite their fancy appearances, these wealthy people were surprisingly rude and arrogant.
To them, she was nothing.
They criticized her and looked down on her because of her lower status. But she realized there were many people like her, working hard to support the luxurious lives of the rich.
These wealthy people took advantage of the working class, profiting from their efforts while treating them with contempt.
As Bianca tightened her fists, a feeling of defiance grew stronger inside her heart. She promised herself she would never give in to these elites.
One day, she would rise to the top and make them regret mocking her.
Lucas was happy with everyone’s reactions. He glanced at Dave and quietly said, “See? I’m not being unreasonable. It’s just that the woman you picked is too humble to earn everyone’s approval.”
Dave’s face stayed calm, but his eyes had a dark, stormy look in them.
Slowly, Dave put his arm around Bianca’s shoulders. Surprised, she looked up at him and saw the stern way he was looking at the crowd.
His voice was deep and firm, with a cold tone. “If anyone has something to say, come forward and say it. Talking behind people’s backs just makes you look like hypocrites, not honest people.”
His words, laced with sarcasm, hit the rich nobles and businessmen, leaving them embarrassed and silent.
The crowd went quiet.
As Dave held her, Bianca looked up at his strong jawline. His powerful presence radiated confidence, like someone from the highest ranks, making her heart race.
At the edge of the crowd, Natalie watched Dave’s cold but magnetic attitude. A sense of possessiveness grew inside her.
A man like him should be hers. What right did Bianca have to be with him?
After seeing Dave, no other man could catch Natalie’s attention. She was determined not to let him go; she had to make him hers.
Sensing the tension, Lucas cleared his throat and smiled friendly to lighten the atmosphere. He turned to Bianca and asked curiously, “So, how did you first meet Dave?”
Everyone’s interest was piqued, and they wanted to hear about Bianca’s connection with Dave.
The memory of her first encounter with Dave made Bianca’s cheeks flush with embarrassment. She couldn’t possibly tell Lucas that their first meeting had been a one-night stand caused by her being drugged.
“Grandpa, I can tell you that story later when we’re home. It might not be suitable to discuss such private matters in front of so many people,” Dave replied coldly.
Noticing Dave’s icy tone, Lucas gave him an awkward look, realizing his question might have been too intrusive. “Right, I got carried away,” Lucas said. “How about this? After we leave tomorrow, you and Bianca will come by, and you can tell me everything.”
Turning to the guests, Lucas smiled and said, “Thank you all for coming tonight. I’ve arranged some of the finest wine for us to enjoy. Let’s drink and make the most of the evening!”
With the chance to learn about Bianca and Dave’s love story, the guests returned to their celebrations, ready to enjoy the rest of the night.
Lucas held Bianca’s hand and smiled warmly. “Bianca, you have to try the fine wine I’ve picked for today. It’s something special, not easily found.”
Bianca nodded and smiled politely. “Thank you. I’ll enjoy it.”
Lucas gave her hand a gentle pat and then turned to Franklin, who stood beside him.
“Make sure Bianca enjoys the renowned hospitality,” he instructed.
Franklin bowed slightly, his voice sincere. “Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of Miss Scott.”