Kevin was also depressed. How come they were only parted in the morning and then met again at night?
Even Kevin himself felt a little embarrassed.
“I didn’t say that she came with you. Why are you so nervous? Huh?”
“I’m not nervous. I’m afraid that you’ll get me wrong.”
“I might misunderstand if you two came in together. But now you are sitting next to me. I won’t get you wrong.”
“Good, very well, then.”
Freya also sat in the first row. When she passed by Kevin, she didn’t look surprised at all. Instead, she smiled at him gently. That smile made Kevin’s toes curl.
Bella’s face fell. She could only vent her anger on Kevin. She ruthlessly twisted his thighs. He felt pain, he could only endure it.
Bella got a piece of message on the phone. It was from Alice, “Mr. Hunter has an order. Come back and sit.”
Bella didn’t forget the mission. She lowered her voice and said to Kevin, “I’m going to go sit in the back. If you dare to look to the right, you’ll die miserably.”
“Why go sit in the back? Just sit here.”
Kevin took her by the arm to keep her from leaving.
“I am not here to enjoy the banquet. There’s something else important. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Then what did you just ask me to help you with?”
“I’ll talk to you later.”
Bella gave a meaningful glance to Freya and turned to join her team.
The birthday banquet officially began. The host went on stage and the hall instantly quiet down. All the people held their breath, waiting for a glimpse of the birthday man.
Bella couldn’t help but think to herself, “What does Freya have to do with this important person? Why is she sitting at the VIP seat?”
“Hello everyone, welcome to Mr. Jobson’s 60th birthday. It’s been ten years since Mr. Jobson’s 50th birthday banquet. Mr. Jobson has made immeasurable contributions to our business, politics and education in these ten years. Now let’s give a warm round of applause to welcome Mr. Jobson…”
Applause…
The guests broke into rapturous applause. Mr. Jobson appeared. He wore a set of white casual clothes. The old man looked no different from ordinary people. Bella shocked when looking at the old man. She suddenly couldn’t help but blurt out, “The beggar…”
The hall was quiet. Suddenly, everyone looked askance at her. Alice standing next to her turned pale. She fiercely pinched Bella and standing next to her in a deep voice, “Are you crazy? How do you call him beggar?”
“He’s the beggar…”
Bella was stunned as if she was the only one there, completely unaware of so many people were sizing her up and down.
Kevin was also looking at her in shock. If it wasn’t for the distance, he really wanted to slap her awake. What was her talking about?
Mr. Jobson smiled slightly and opened his mouth to break the ice, “Hello everyone, I’m sure everyone here knows me. But I still have to introduce myself. I’m Brent Jobson. I hold many positions. It is too complicated, so I won’t talk about it. Thank you all very much for taking the time to come to my birthday party. Time is money. I celebrate my birthday once every ten years. There are still many familiar people I knew ten years ago. However, after another ten years, I might not recognize you all. It’s not that I’m old and dizzy, or that I’ve committed dementia, but it’s possible that I’ve been invited to have a drink by the lord of hell.”
“Haha ha-”
The guests burst into laughter. Everyone was amused by his humorous language. Bella’s heart was mixed feelings. She didn’t confuse the old man with someone else. The so-called important person was Kevin’s mentor. And he was definitely the bagger she met at the beach that night. That beggar wanted to die that night.
Although it was very hard to figure out, Bella could only suppress her emotions for the time being. When she had the chance, she would find him again to ask for clarification.
Brent began his impassioned speech. Bella had to admit that it was indeed shocking. Each sentence was like soul soother cleansing people’s hearts.
After the speech, the audience once again applauded. And then Mr. Jobson announced, “Fifteen minutes before the start of the dinner, everyone is free to ask questions. As long as it does not involve privacy issues, I will definitely reply to everyone.”
As soon as he finished speaking, people began to stand up and ask him questions. One person sat down and another stood up. They asked all kinds of questions, including those related to officialdom, business, education, outlook on life, etc.
Mr. Jobson’s answers were great. Those who asked the question were very satisfied. Bella also wanted to take this opportunity to stand up and ask him whether he had been a beggar. But if she did, all people would know that she had the idea of killing himself. Therefore, she gave up the idea. She did not mind that others would know her past, but she did not want Freya to know anything about her.
Perhaps, this was the common psychology of women who want to maintain their self-esteem in front of their rivals.
When the questioning ended, the host announced that it was time to gather at the restaurant for dinner. Bella stood up and wanted to follow the crowd to the restaurant, but she was held back by Louis.
“Come with me.”
Bella knew in her heart that it was for the thing she called beggar just now. As expected, Louis standing outside the door of the villa questioned her angrily, “What did you do just now?”
Louis had never reprimanded her, but this time he was really angry.
“I’m sorry. I know that guy.”
“How do you know him?”
“Has he been a beggar before?”
“Bella!”
Louis was about to blow up, “Originally I had the greatest expectations of you out of the four, but now it’s you who has disappointed me the most!”
“What I said is true. He once really talked to me as a beggar.”
Bella rubbed her forehead. What should she do to convince Louis that she was right?
“Mr. Hunter, aren’t you going in yet?”
Alice ran out to ask.
Louis angrily glared at Bella, “I’ll talk to you later!”
Bella sighed, speechless.
“What’s going on?”
Alice asked Bella as they walked side by side towards the restaurant.
“I’ll talk to you when I’ve made it clear.”
When she reached the restaurant, she looked around but didn’t see the old man. She walked over to Kevin who was talking to a senior official and quietly asked, “Where is your mentor?”
Kevin’s face fell, “What did you just call my mentor?”
“I…”
She really didn’t know how to explain it.
“I’ll talk to you at home.”
Well, Bella was speechless. Why did they have to talk with her? Who did she mess with?”
“Very well, then.”
Bella turned around angrily. She thought to herself that when she got things straightened out, no one would talk to her like that!
“Where’s Mr. Hunter?”
She walked over to Alice, looking around and asking.
“He went to negotiate with Mr. Jobson’s assistant, afraid that Mr. Jobson doesn’t accept his invitation. He needs to put in some effort, or else we can’t showcase our talents.”
After a while, Louis returned. As soon as Bella saw the lost expression on his face, she knew that he failed.
“Will he see us?”
Louis shook his head, “The assistant said that Mr. Jobson is not in a good shape, so he declines private meetings.”
“I’ll go ask my husband. I heard that it’s his mentor. He will do me the favor.”
Bella once again ran to Kevin, pulled him aside, and said gently, “Honey, didn’t I just tell you that I wanted you to do me a favor?”
“Yes, say it.”
“Can you have your mentor meet with our principal?”
Kevin looked around and asked, “Louis?”
“Yes.”
“Sorry, I can’t.”
“Why?” Bella was anxious.
“He hasn’t been feeling very well lately. He doesn’t want to be disturbed by anyone.”
“But we really want to meet with him, so will you help?”
“No really, do you know how many people here want to talk to him in private? If an exception is made for you, then he can’t refuse the others.”
“Can’t we just meet secretly and not let them know?”
“They are not stupid. I know you’re trying to invite him to give a speech, but do you know how many people here have the same purpose as you? You’ve already been targeted by the other peers. Once a few of you are missing, they’ll know right away that you have an appointment with Mr. Jobson.”
“So what if they know? They don’t have any connections.”
“Well, you’re using me.”
“Oh, don’t you care what I think of you. Just do me a favor, honey…”
As soon as Bella pitched to him, Kevin gave in. He took out his phone, “Alright then, I’ll try, but I can’t guarantee that he’ll see you.”
“Okay, no problem.”
Kevin dialed the number. Bella held her breath to listen to their conversation, “Hello, is it Mr. Jobson… Yes, I am Kevin… please feel free to accept that gift. You helped me a lot back then… Good… Right, I have a few friends who want to meet with you. I don’t know if it’s convenient for you… Oh, you’re not feeling well. That’s fine. I won’t let them bother you…”
When Bella heard this, her heart sank to the bottom. It seemed that she could not count on her husband.