.
Dolores shared her location with him and then got out of bed. Coral happened to walk in and said, âFoodâs ready.â
âIâm not eating at home. I have to go out to attend to some businessâ Dolores tied up her messy hair and headed for the door. After changing her shoes, she hurried out.
She didnât want Sampson to come to the house to pick her up, so she walked to an intersection and waited for him there.
Sampson, who looked very different than usual today, arrived quickly and didnât let Dolores wait too long.
For as long as Dolores had known him, Sampson had always been in casual clothes or a white coat and for her this was the first time she had seen him in a business suit.
Sampson got out of the car and opened the door for her.
Dolores was in no hurry to get into the car. She asked, âIs this an important meeting?â
After all, he was dressed formally.
âNot exactly.â Because he didnât give a damn.
Dolores bent down to get into the car. The two didnât mention the subject again.
Sampson drove the car while Dolores said nothing.
The atmosphere in the car was a little strange.
âNo need to be nervous. You can follow me later.â Sampson tried to strike up a conversation.
When the atmosphere was too quiet, it seemed to be extremely uncomfortable.
Especially when it was after he had confessed his feelings for her.
Dolores agreed without hesitation, but it was only because of his attention to her and had nothing to do with feelings.
Sampson turned to study her. Her ponytail, her palm-sized face, her delicate nose and pink lipsâ¦every part of her seemed delicate. She really had grown up and was no longer that little girl.
âLola, do you despise me because Iâm too old?â Sampson curved her lips into a smile.
Dolores laughed, âSampson, youâre not older. Youâre just a twenty-something.â
She wasnât even thirty.
Sampson reached up to stroke her hair. âThey say girls are more thoughtful. Itâs true.â
Dolores pulled her hand away and asked, âWhy do I get the feeling youâre taking advantage of me?â
âDid I?â Sampson smiled.
Dolores pretended to be angry and ignored him.
As they talked, the car stopped in front of a building. The big screen showed the history of the DF Corporation and a row of luxurious cars parked in the driveway. Dolores felt nervous for no reason.
The red carpet stretched all the way to the door. On either side of the door, there were two men in black suits and an older man in the middle of them to welcome the guests.
Seeing Sampson approaching, the senior stepped forward several paces: âSecond master.â
Dolores looked askance at Sampson. She knew he had an extraordinary identity, but she didnât expect him to be from the Herbert Family, which controlled the DF Corporation.
Compared to the Herbert Family, the Nelson Family could be considered a rising star. But it had many generations of talent. When the generation Matthew was in came along, it became a leading company in B-town.
And not even DF Corporation, a time-honored brand that had lasted a hundred years, could overshadow it.
The WY Group was engaged in diversified sectors. Excellence Investment Bank, in which WY Group and Hong Kong-Shanghai Banking Corporation participated, had an international reputation.
Sampson nodded slightly in response to her greeting.
âCome on.â Then he turned to look at Dolores, âArenât you used to it?â.
Dolores nodded sincerely.
âActually, Iâm not used to it either.â Sampson smiled. After all, he wasnât interested in business and the companies his family controlled were all run by his older brother.
âWhy did you stay in Country A then, did you get hurt in a relationship?â Judging by Sampsonâs family background, he shouldnât have shown up in Country A and work as a psychologist in a small clinic.
Sampson was stunned at that moment, as he was not expecting this sudden question from her. She was amused, âWhy do you think I came here to cure the pains of a relationship?â
âWasnât Maria your girlfriend?â She remembered that her mother had mentioned that name when they were in the village back then.
From her motherâs words, she could tell that Sampson seemed to care a lot about Maria.
And Maria was definitely a girlâs name because it sounded cute.
Upon hearing this name, Sampsonâs smile gradually disappeared and his face darkened, âHer name is Maria Herbert and sheâs my younger sister. I lost her when I was young and I still havenât found her.â
Dolores opened her mouth trying to say something. She had assumed that Maria was his ex-girlfriend, and she didnât intend to bring back unpleasant memories.
âIâm sorryâ¦â
âNo need.â Sampson smiled again.
In the sumptuously decorated salon, people were toasting and chatting with each other. The men were sheathed in business suits, while the women wore the most beautiful makeup and dresses in an attempt to put on a facade for their male companions.
Dolores, however, wore no makeup, which was quite out of place.
âSampson.â Camilla had chosen a lady from a building materials company to be Sampsonâs escort to todayâs banquet, but Sampson turned her down.
And now he brought this girl to the party.
âMom, this is Dolores Flores.â Sampson introduced Dolores to his mother.
This was a big event after all, so although Camilla was unhappy to see Sampson bring this girl, she didnât show it in public. Instead, she flashed a decent smile on her face, âOh, letâs go over there and meet some people.â
Sampson had been overseas all year and the public almost forgot that the Herbert Family had two children. They only remember the Herbert Familyâs first son, Warner Herbert.
The crystal chandelier, which hung from the center of the second floor ceiling, illuminated the room and looked dazzling.
There was a group of people in the center of the room, the most conspicuous of whom was the tall, slender figure surrounded by the crowd. Although Dolores was quite far away from them, she was able to recognize who the man was.
She became nervous for no reason.
Sampson patted her hand, âRelax. Iâm right beside you.â
âYou know heâll be here beforehand?â Dolores looked into his eyes.
âI just want to tell him you have someone who has your back.â As he spoke, he lifted Doloresâ hand and turned to Matthew.
âThe business world is the stage for younger generations like you in the future.â Simon Bridges, the former chairman of Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, who rarely attended activities after his retirement, let out a resounding laugh as he said, âOf the younger generation, the most promising one is undoubtedly Matthew.â
âMr. Bridges, you flatter me.â Matthew slipped a hand into his pocket. With Helen wrapped around his arm and the other hand holding a glass of red wine, he looked dazzling and alluring under the lights.
âI hear the WY Group has set upâ¦â The speaker was Warner. When he saw his younger brother walking toward them with a girl, he started up.
âSampson, who is it?â asked Warner.
Sampson motioned for Dolores to come closer, âItâs my girlfriend.â As she was speaking, she stole a glance at Matthew.
It was as if she was usurping Matthewâs place.
Since Matthew was unwilling to admit Doloresâ identity as his wife, he would take this opportunity.
Dolores had not expected Sampson to say this in public.
Instinctively, she tried to pull back her hand which was grabbed by Sampson.
But Sampson discovered her intention and tightened his grip to prevent her escape.
He smiled and asked, âWhat are you afraid of?â
Dolores felt inexplicably guilty and didnât even dare raise her head.
Smiling, Warner introduced Sampson to the crowd, âThis is my younger brother. Heâs been overseas all year and now heâs back. Iâd be grateful if you could lend him a hand in the future.â
Helen clenched her fists, âMiss Floresâ¦â.
Matthew slowly raised his eyelids. He quickly glanced at Doloresâ face and then kept his gaze indifferent and distant.
Dolores, who was at first uneasy, gradually calmed down in the face of Matthewâs indifference.
She felt that her nervousness earlier was quite ridiculous.
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.
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