The banquet hall suddenly fell silent as all eyes turned toward one direction.
A tall, imposing figure stepped into view.
The exquisitely tailored black suit draped over his frame only accentuated his aristocratic bearing.
His sharply defined, strikingly handsome face betrayed no emotion, and his piercing dark eyes radiated nothing but aloofness.
Some people were simply born to command.
Just by standing there, he exuded an overwhelming aura of dominance.
A man with extraordinary looks already stood out, but one who also possessed such an intimidating presence was truly rare.
This was Sinclair’s first public appearance before the crowd.
The heads of the Luther Family’s branch lineages—who had been basking in flattery moments earlier—froze in place.
Then, without hesitation, they each picked up their wine glasses and approached Sinclair with utmost deference.
Sinclair narrowed his dark, almond-shaped eyes slightly and responded with a faint nod, his flawless face remaining impassive.
The imposing presence of the Luther Family patriarch was unmistakable.
Jonathan’s expression darkened with complicated emotions.
The position of the Luther Family head had once been within his grasp.
Meanwhile, the stunned crowd finally regained their composure.
"Is that man really Sinclair?!"
"I thought they said Sinclair looked like some kind of terrifying brute?"
I heard he was a disabled, brooding monster!"
"Who on earth spread those ridiculous rumors before?"
"Looking like that, no wonder Sandra has been throwing herself at him for years!" ...
The young heiress of wealthy families whispered among themselves, casting varied glances at Sinclair—some awestruck, others resentful.
Meanwhile, many men who prided themselves on their own accomplishments couldn’t suppress their envy and astonishment.
Wealth, cunning, looks, power—was there anything the heavens hadn’t bestowed upon Sinclair?
"Well, well," Calvin’s peach blossom eyes glimmered with faint amusement, brimming with playful mockery.
"The moment Sinclair shows up, he completely steals the spotlight from the rest of us."
As he spoke, he glanced at Aria beside him, whose face was still frozen in awe. His teasing grin deepened.
"Even the woman by my side is completely spellbound."
"I just... didn’t expect Mr. Sinclair Luther is so different from the rumors.
It caught me off guard, that’s all," Aria’s eyes flickered with a trace of panic before she quickly averted her gaze back to Calvin.
"Looks-wise, I still prefer someone like you, Mr. Calvin." She meant it.
The Luther Family heir was undeniably striking, but the dark, oppressive aura around him was overwhelming.
Even from a distance, she could feel its weight.
Compared to that, a dangerously charming man like Calvin was far more appealing.
"Hahaha, good taste," Calvin chuckled, his voice smooth as silk.
"Then next time you look for a boyfriend, make sure he’s just like me."
He signaled the waiter and picked up a glass of red wine.
"Take a rest here. I’m going to say hello to Sinclair." Watching Calvin’s retreating figure, the perfectly poised, sweet smile on Aria’s face faded slightly.
She knew all too well that Calvin was the type who flirted effortlessly without ever getting attached.
She also knew that bringing her here was just part of his act.
But hearing him so casually suggests she find a boyfriend still left an ache in her chest—a dull, sour feeling she couldn’t shake.
Aria took a sip of her wine and sighed inwardly.
*I wonder what kind of woman could ever capture a man like Calvin.*
Meanwhile, on the other side of the room...
Taylor was also holding a glass of wine as he made his way toward Sinclair.
Melissa, however, stayed hidden in a corner, desperately hoping Sinclair wouldn’t spot her.
Sandra muttered through clenched teeth, her striking features twisted into a scowl as she glared at the man who had become the center of attention.
"Don’t they have any shame?"
A strange, possessive resentment churned inside her—like someone had uncovered a treasure she’d hidden away, exposing it for all to see.
In the past, rumors about Sinclair’s appearance had circulated throughout the capital.
Some were malicious fabrications, spread by those who sought to tarnish his reputation and destabilize the Luther Family.
Those were Sandra’s doing.
She had paid handsomely to ensure those whispers spread far and wide, all to deter the noble young ladies of the capital from daring to covet Sinclair.
From beginning to end, the Luther Family had neither denied the rumors nor lifted a finger to stop them.
To the public, their silence was as good as confirmation.
And just like that, the number of families eager to marry into the Luther Family decreases.
Sandra had been certain—absolutely certain—that the title of the Luther Family’s madam was hers for the taking.
Yet in the end, it was Camilla who swooped in and stole it right from under her nose.
At this thought, she clenched her teeth so hard that the chill around her seemed to intensify.
Watching the crowd—and Sandra in particular—stare transfixed at Sinclair, Tyler’s lips twisted into a sneer, his eyes dark with resentment.
Whenever Sinclair appeared, everyone would instinctively overlook him.
Whether at the Luther Family estate or out in public.
Tyler’s gaze flickered discreetly around the room before he slipped a pill from his sleeve into Sandra’s wine glass.
The color less, odorless tablet dissolved instantly, leaving no trace of tampering.
A cold, triumphant smirk flashed deep in his eyes.
Little did he know— Every move he made had already been observed.
Meanwhile... "Well, well," Calvin smirked at the strikingly handsome, aloof man before him.
"These women can’t seem to take their eyes off you."
His mesmerizing peach-blossom eyes brimmed with amusement.
"Who knows, some might even throw themselves at him.
They say a beauty’s favor is the hardest to refuse—wonder how our CEO Luther plans to fend them off?"
Taylor swirled his wine glass, silent. His faint, detached smile drifted toward a distant figure clad in burgundy.
Sinclair lifted his gaze, scanning the banquet hall with disinterest.
Calvin: "That deadpan tone—if I hadn’t studied biology for a few years, I might’ve actually believed you."
He shot Sinclair a sidelong glance and scoffed.
"So in your eyes, there are no women except your precious wife?"
Sinclair narrowed his eyes, his expression icy as he took an elegant sip of wine.
"Which is why you shouldn’t bother asking such idiotic questions next time."
"Taylor, let’s skip the main course," Calvin sighed in exasperation before shifting his attention to Taylor.
"The lovey-dovey display from Sinclair is enough to fill us up.
Shall we just leave?"
"No rush," Taylor replied with a meaningful smile.
"Even on a full stomach, there’s always room for a show."
"A show?" Calvin glanced in Jonathan’s direction, raising an eyebrow slightly.
"Didn’t that already wrap up?"
The curtain might just be rising," Taylor turned his gaze toward Sinclair, then briefly recounted what Melissa had said earlier.
"Most girls are adorable," Calvin chuckled dryly, his eyes drifting toward Sandra in the distance, his tone laced with disinterest.
"But Sandra is the exception."