Upon hearing Asher Land’s question, Irene Morton didn’t rush to explain but walked to his side with a smile, wrapping her arm around his.
"Brother Asher, my father and brother have come too, right? Later, you must help me talk to them, because I’ve come to Eastern City secretly and haven’t really contacted them for so long. They must be angry." Irene’s tone carried a hint of coquettishness, yet Asher wasn’t particularly in the mood to listen to her.
"Where is Sophie Smith?"
"Brother Asher!" Irene was somewhat irritated, "Sister Sophie doesn’t want to be your date, so why do you have to make things difficult?"
She had put so much effort into this gala, yet he didn’t care at all?
Asher Land removed Irene Morton’s hand and strode towards the exit.
Irene furrowed her brows, wanting to chase after Asher, but those ten-centimeter high heels were no joke, and in such a public setting, she had to maintain her composure. So, even if she was anxious inside, she suppressed it.
Fortunately, someone stepped in to stop Asher Land.
"Asher, the gala has already started, where are you going?"
The speaker was Irene Morton’s brother, Henrik Morton.
Henrik Morton, 30 years old, heir to the Morton Clan Group, gentle in nature. Before Asher was transferred to Eastern City, he had interacted with Henrik, although limited to business collaborations.
Although the Land Family and the Morton Family were old friends, Asher Land was an exception in the family; he wasn’t fond of dealing with the Mortons.
"Mr. Morton, welcome to the gala." His tone was polite yet distant.
Irene discreetly walked to Asher Land’s side and made a funny face upon seeing her brother.
"Irene! Hurry and apologize to Father!" Henrik Morton said sternly, this sister of his was spoiled from childhood, lacking discretion in her actions, as evidenced by her decision to come to Eastern City to find Asher Land without consulting anyone.
"Coming to see Brother Asher counts as a mistake?" Irene pouted, using Asher Land as a shield. She recalled that when she was at home, wasn’t she constantly reminded to seize Asher Land—to hold him and his heart? Wasn’t she trying hard now?
Henrik was about to speak when he saw his father, Colton Morton, approaching from a distance.
"Asher." Colton Morton beamed with joy, and upon seeing Asher Land, his smile deepened at the corners of his eyes.
"Uncle Morton." Asher Land slightly curved his lips, responding indifferently.
Upon arriving at the gala, the first person Colton Morton greeted wasn’t his daughter or son, but Asher Land.
"Asher! You’ve become even more handsome over the years."
"You’re flattering me."
Colton Morton kept exchanging pleasantries, but Asher Land remained distracted. Damn, the woman really stood him up, and he wanted to leave, but Colton Morton wouldn’t let him go.
"Irene, are you Asher’s date today?" Only then did Colton notice Irene at his side.
"Yes." Irene deliberately prolonged the last syllable to express her dissatisfaction with Colton’s neglect.
Colton nodded understandingly, realizing his daughter did have some ability.
Looking at the situation now, the Golden Era Consortium had substantial financial power, rivaling countries in strength. The Morton Clan Group needed to ally with Golden Era Consortium to have the possibility of excelling in the business world, yet verbal alliances always felt uneasy. Colton Morton had been pondering how to get the Golden Era Consortium to wholeheartedly cooperate.
After much thought, there was only one way.