Chapter 864

Penelope excitedly approached Harvey and said sweetly, “Old Mr. Laith.”

Harvey furrowed his thick brows as he scanned the crowd in front of him, noticing that they had different countenances.

Who are these people? Why are they surrounding me? Where’s Lynnie?

The overwhelming perfume smell on Mary and Penelope was nauseating. He found it almost impossible to breathe in the overpoweringly pungent smell of the air surrounding him.

Harvey couldn’t help but cough as he said, “Could you guys… move aside?”

Mary was still wearing her ingratiating smile as she hurriedly gave way to the man. “This way please, Old Mr. Laith.”

She grew even more thrilled at the sight of the luxury shopping bag in the hand of the assistant behind Harvey.

It was a top-tier luxury brand. Luxury goods were divided into high-end and low-end as well.

Normal luxury brands would already make Mary feel very dignified.

Hence, she was delighted to see that Harvey was gifting a high-end luxury present to Penelope.

Penelope spotted the high-end luxury bag too, and her lips quivered in excitement. “Old Mr. Laith, I’m just celebrating my birthday. You didn’t have to spend so much on the gift.”

She was already reaching out to take over the bag, but Harvey’s loud voice boomed, “Did you guys see Lynnie anywhere?”

Penelope’s hands froze mid-air, her face turning pale as a sheet of paper.

All air appeared to have been sucked out of her lungs right then. Did I hear him right? Lynnie?

It was a really endearing term of address.

Penelope almost fainted.

This is impossible. How is it possible that Old Mr. Laith is looking for Ashlyn?

She dismissed the notion right away. How was it possible that Ashlyn knew the chairman of Magnecal Tech?

Mary’s ingratiating smile also froze on her face, turning into a smile that looked worse than a grimace.

Hesitantly, Penelope asked, “Old Mr. Laith, who did you say you were looking for?”

“I’m looking for Ashlyn,” the old man declared. “You’re all blocking my sight. I can’t see Lynnie.”

He impatiently twirled the walnuts in his hand, making louder and faster clacks with each turn, frustrated by the group of people swarming him.

Mary felt her vision darken, and her mind went blank at this point. Her heartbeat intensified as she felt her blood pressure soar.

They were the symptoms of a heart attack. Mary calmed down and stuttered, “Y-You’re not here for my daughter, Penelope’s birthday party?”

Refusing to give up, she asked again.

Even though the air was fraught with tension and awkwardness, Mary refused to give in.

Why does Ashlyn always get the best things in life?

Harvey scanned the group of people before him and didn’t even deign to spare Mary a single glance.

Then, a lazy voice rang nearby. “Old-timer, I’m here. Is your eyesight failing? How could you still fail to see me after searching for so long?”

There was a mock complaining undertone to her voice. Who else could it be if not Ashlyn?

The crowd was flabbergasted as they widened their eyes in disbelief at the sight.

The middle-aged man was Harvey Laith, the respectable chairman of Magnecal Tech, and Ashlyn had just grumbled about him right in front of everyone.

Hence, the crowd was waiting for Harvey to teach the insolent woman a lesson. So what if she was Mrs. Nolan? Harvey might spare her some courtesy on account of Lucas. However, he still had the right to teach the impudent woman to respect her elders.

Initially feeling dejected by the surprise turn of events, Penelope was suddenly filled with hope. She couldn’t wait to see Harvey knock Ashlyn off her high horse.

How dare she talk to Old Mr. Laith like that? She must have a death wish!

However, once again, the crowd was left speechless.

Harvey hastily approached Ashlyn’s side and reached out to pat her on her head while wearing a massive grin on his face. However, the woman cocked her head to one side and avoided his touch.

The middle-aged man continued to smile amiably and didn’t seem bothered by the fact that she had avoided him. “It’s been some time since we last met, and you’re still this snobbish?”

It was clear as day that the two were close to each other. The esteemed chairman was setting aside his high status and treating Ashlyn affectionately, just like a doting elder would treat a younger family member.

He then shot a sharp look at Mary and Penelope standing nearby, who were both looking befuddled. It seemed as though he had just recalled what Mary had said earlier.