Chapter 58
Zayn nodded. “Yes.”
In recent years, the Crone family had been soaring to new heights with Stanley’s support. Edith, ever the social climber, had developed an appreciation for antiques and fine art. She had searched long and hard for “The Flower–Adorned Lady“, and now, thanks to Stanley, it was finally in her hands.
“Wow!”
Everyone crowded around, their voices filled with awe. “Mr. Hawk truly knows how to make a grand gesture. This painting is a true masterpiece, a rare find.”
Edith laughed joyously, clearly delighted. “Mr. Hawk, you’re too thoughtful.”
Jessica, her face glowing with admiration, gazed at Stanley. In her eyes, he was everything a woman could want–a wealthy man who was willing to go the extra mile to impress. Stanley was the kind of man who made hearts race and stirred feelings of envy.
She smiled, her lips curling slightly. “Stanley, thank you so much.”
A few business executives approached, eager to join the conversation. “Mr. Hawk, Ms. Jessica, the two of you truly make a perfect couple. Does this mean we’ll soon be raising a toast to your wedding?”
“I imagine it won’t be long before we stop calling her Ms. Jessica and start calling her Mrs.
Hawk.”
Harry and Lilian, who had been standing nearby, made their way over. Despite his current position, Harry still wasn’t quite on the same level as these executives. The collaboration proposal the Crone family had sent recently had been rejected, after all.
Still, Harry greeted them with a grin. “Mr. Walton, Mr. Fuller, you two should drink a few more rounds tonight.”
Norman Walton smiled. “Mr. Crone, bring that proposal by tomorrow, and we’ll definitely do more business together.”
Harry’s face lit up with excitement. “Really? Thank you so much, Mr. Walton.”
Hughie Fuller chuckled. “Mr. Crone, you’re too kind. Not all of us are lucky enough to have a daughter like Ms. Jessica.”
Edith clasped Jessica’s hand tightly. “Jessica is the lucky star of our Crone family.”
Harry and Lilian were practically floating on air. With Stanley attending the birthday party, the
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Crone family’s status had risen even higher. They could barely imagine how glorious it would be when Stanley became their son–in–law.
Surrounded by admiration, Jessica felt like she had reached the pinnacle of her life. Stanley, the kind of man who could satisfy every woman’s vanity, was everything she had ever dreamed of.
She gazed at him, her eyes sparkling with admiration.
Stanley, his gaze soft, looked down at her for a moment, his expression gentle.
Wendy, holding her glass, observed them from the edge of the room. Stanley and Jessica stood at the center, bathed in the glow of the lights as they basked in the attention of everyone around them. This was the supreme honor that Stanley had bestowed upon Jessica.
When Stanley pampered a woman, it was clear he did so completely.
Wendy’s thoughts drifted back to years ago, to that time in the cave when Stanley had held her close and said, “I’ll take you out of here. I want you around.”
To this day, she couldn’t understand why the man who had once wanted her had then turned his back on her.
Her shoulders sagged, her heart heavy. With a quiet sigh, she turned and walked away.
Just then, Stanley looked up. His gaze followed her as she made her way out of the room, her figure disappearing into the crowd.
A few of the executives followed his gaze and saw Wendy’s retreating form. “Mr. Hawk, do you know that girl?”
Jessica’s heart skipped a beat. Not her again–Wendy!
Stanley’s voice, calm and distant, broke through the tension. “I don’t know her.”
He said he didn’t know her.
Jessica’s heart lifted, her anxiety evaporating. Of course, Stanley didn’t care about someone like Wendy–she was just a country girl who couldn’t even hold his attention.
She glanced at Lilian, who gave her a subtle nod. The performance Lilian had been preparing for the night was just getting started.
Wendy carried the glass to the kitchen, but before she could leave, a maid called to her.
“Hurry up! Take this bowl of chicken soup to the room. Mrs. Lilian wants it later.”
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The maid sent Wendy off to deliver the chicken soup to Lilian.
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