"My apologies," Taylor addressed the group with a composed and serene demeanor.
"Melissa has a delicate constitution.
The journey has taken its toll on her." Every word was a lie, yet no one could challenge it.
"Not a problem, not a problem," Mr. Bernardo chuckled good-naturedly.
"Health comes first." Mrs. Bernardo nodded in agreement with a smile.
"President Taylor," Harrison turned to Taylor and spoke up.
"The charity gala is about to begin.
Why hasn’t President Luther arrived yet?"
"I’m not entirely sure," Taylor met Harrison’s gaze directly, his tone as composed and gentle as ever.
"Mr. Harrison seems particularly interested in Sinclair?"
With just two simple sentences, he effortlessly turned the tables.
A flicker of unease flashed through Harrison’s eyes, but it vanished the moment Bernardo’s father and the others glanced his way.
"Of course," Harrison curled his lips into a smile, exhaling calmly as he replied.
"A distinguished guest like President Luther is hard not to take notice of."
Bernardo’s father nodded in agreement.
The Luther Family stood at the very pinnacle of San Francisco’s elite—a fact they had all heard of long ago.
If they could leverage Taylor’s connection to Sinclair, it would be a tremendous boon for the Bernardo family’s future.
"Is that so?" Taylor chuckled softly.
"Rest assured, Mr. Harrison," His smiling eyes narrowed slightly, yet his demeanor remained as composed and radiant as ever.
"I’ll pass your message along to Sinclair when he arrives."
When Sinclair arrives?
Would he even make it?
Harrison sneered inwardly, though not a trace of it showed on his face.
"Haha, then I’ll leave it to you, President Taylor."
Harrison had no intention of continuing this verbal dance with Taylor.
Turning his gaze toward Juliet, he gestured toward a group of well-dressed young men who were watching them from a distance.
"Juliet, let your father show President Taylor around.
We should head over there."
Clearly, he wanted to introduce Juliet to his circle of friends.
"Of course," Juliet replied with a smile before nodding politely at Taylor.
"Excuse me for now, Mr. Taylor."
There was no denying it—this man’s presence and grace suited her far better than Harrison ever could.
"Be my guest," Taylor gave a slight nod in acknowledgment.
Juliet cast a meaningful glance at Queen before looping her arm through Harrison’s and walking away.
Queen, however, paid no attention to her sister—her thoughts were entirely consumed by the man beside her.
She had never held much hope for this arranged marriage.
In fact, she had little faith in any match her parents decided for her.
Whether it was Harrison family or the Taylor family, it made no difference to her.
That was why, when Juliet schemed to steal Harrison from her, Queen hadn’t bothered to fight back.
After all, she had planned to find a way to break it off anyway.
But after meeting Taylor, her resolve wavered.
What was he thinking?
Lost in thought, Queen stole a discreet glance at the man beside her.
Her father was in the middle of introducing something to Taylor when a young couple with distinctly European features entered through the door.
Most of the European businessmen in the room paused their conversations, lifting their glasses as they gravitated toward the newcomers.
Within moments, the couple was surrounded.
Clearly— The adoring crowd surrounding them was even more fervent than when Harrison had made his appearance.
"Those two," Mr. Bernardo murmured to Taylor, nodding subtly toward the commotion, "are the eldest son and daughter-in-law of the Orlando family—the undisputed heirs to their legacy."
The Orlando family. Understanding dawned instantly on Taylor’s face.
One of the three powerhouse families dominating the business landscape of Country E, the Orlando were the only native aristocratic dynasty among them, with roots stretching back a century.
Unlike the influential San Francisco families who had later migrated and taken over much of the country’s commerce, the Orlando preferred to collaborate exclusively with local E businessmen. In other words, they were notoriously insular.
"Taylor," Mr. Bernardo said, seizing the moment, "let me introduce you."
Taylor shook his head with a polite smile.
"You go ahead. I don’t have any immediate plans to work with Orlando."
Mr. Bernardo nodded and, together with Mrs. Bernardo, raised their glasses as they made their way toward the Orlando couple.
In the same social circle, maintaining appearances was always necessary.
Stephen, however, remained where he was.
Orlando, an old-money family with deep local roots, valued bloodline and legitimacy above all else.
Whether in the past or present, they had never regarded him as worthy of their attention.
And frankly, he felt the same about them.
A faint smirk tugged at the corner of Stephen’s lips as his gaze shifted from Orlando to Taylor.
This man was far more intriguing.
"Take me over there."
A stern-faced man pushed Stephen’s wheelchair toward Taylor.
Noticing their approach, Taylor switched his glass and waited calmly.
"Social obligations can be tedious," he said gently, turning to the quiet young woman beside him.
"Miss Bernardo, you needn’t stay here on my account."
"Go find your own friends."
The moment these words were spoken, a flicker of embarrassment crossed Queen’s face.
"No need," she shook her head slightly, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I don’t really have any friends."
No friends. A trace of surprise flashed in Taylor’s eyes.
Camilla had been right—the two Bernardo sisters were polar opposites in temperament and personality.
Juliet, who appeared gentle and harmless on the surface, was far more complicated than she seemed.
Queen, with her striking beauty and radiant demeanor, turned out to be straightforward and guileless.
Someone like her shouldn’t be without friends.
But that wasn’t his concern anyway. "President Taylor," Stephen, seated in his wheelchair, looked up at Taylor.
"I’ve long heard of your reputation."
Stephen was also considered a business partner of Sinclair, so Taylor treated him with a degree of courtesy.
"You flatter me, President Mega."
Both men carried an air of refinement, yet their demeanors were entirely distinct.
Stephen wore a composed expression, his manner seemingly humble and approachable.
Yet, the sharp glint in his subdued gaze was unmistakable—enough to make no one dare underestimate him.
As for Taylor, his gentleness radiated from within, so effortlessly disarming that it was easy to overlook the ruthless precision he wielded behind the scenes.
Just as the two exchanged pleasantries, another wave of commotion rose at the banquet hall’s entrance.
"President Nolan is here!"
At those words, the eyes of many women in the room lit up, their gazes sweeping toward the man who had just walked in.
"It really is President Nolan! Nolan actually came?"
"Wasn’t he supposed to be on a business trip overseas?
I was so disappointed last night, thinking he wouldn’t make it."
Seeing President Nolan tonight makes the whole evening worth it."