âIt doesâ?â
Keiraâs curiosity was piqued. âHow so?â
Frankie thought of his parentsâ concern and said, âThis
isnât a matter that can be explained in a few words. It seems to involve issues from the older generation. My father knows more about it, so itâs better for you to discuss it with him in person. I heard from Rebecca that you have an appointment to meet him tonight. After the event, shall we go see my parents together?â
âAll right.â
Keira wasnât in a hurry.
Frankie looked at her and asked, âI heard you are Mrs. Horton?â
Keira raised her eyebrows. âSo?ân/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
Frankie suddenly stepped forward, closing the distance between them, and whispered, âIâm not here alone this time. Several young masters from Clance came along for fun. Each of their families has the power to equal or even surpass the Horton family.
How about I introduce you to them later?â
Frankieâs eyes darkened slightly.
Last night, Rebecca dragged him into a long chat, saying that even though Lewis had publicly acknowledged Keira as his wife, there were still some unpleasant murmurs at the party.
They scoffed at Keiraâs humble beginnings, saying an illegitimate daughter simply wasnât a match for the Horton family.
They even said they didnât want to socialize with such an illegitimate daughter in future ladyâs gatheringsâ¦
Rebecca was quite worried about Keira, which was why she insisted on him coming to help her. novelbin
The group of young masters from Clance brought by Frankie today were his own connections. After introducing them to Keira, she should-at the very least-receive better treatment in the Horton familyâ¦
Just as he thought about this, he heard Keira say indifferently, âThat wonât be necessary.â
Frankie was slightly taken aback.
Keira then said, âThanks for your kindness, but it
seemâs Mr. Horton doesnât want to interact too much
with people from Clance.â
Frankie frowned with concerns in his eyes behind his gold-rimmed glasses. âThatâs his personal bias, Miss Olsen. You should understand that in business, there are no regional distinctions, let alone the fact that the most powerful families and enterprises in Crera are in Clance. If Lewis continues to be obstinate, heâll sooner
or later be pulled down by the shareholders of Horton Group! As his wife, if you can help him secure relations in Clance, the Horton family will surely recognize you.â
Keira knew Frankie meant well, but she still smiled and said, âThereâs really no need for that, thank you.â
Seeing her composed and serene demeanor, free from any impatience, Frankie felt she didnât understand the struggles of the elite. He started to explain carefully. âAs far as I know, the first branch of your family has already started making contacts in Clance, intending to open up the market there and use it to criticize Lewis. Today, this group of rich heirs from Clance suddenly show up in Oceanion, and it seems to be the handiwork of the first branch⦠I heard it might be through the connections of Mrs. Olsenâ¦â
Keira was momentarily taken aback. âWhat?â
Frankie sighed in resignation. âHow can you be so indifferent to the affairs of the Horton family? How many times has Isla made mistakes? She has posed for unearned merits and even has a criminal record. Why does the first branch still tolerate her? Do you really think itâs just because sheâs pregnant?â
He glanced around to make sure no one was approaching before continuing. âMrs. Olsen herself made a visit, and the Horton family accepted Isla because Mrs. Olsen has very powerful connections. This horse racing event was an agreement reached between Mrs. Olsen and the Horton family! The condition for Jake to marry Isla was for Mrs. Olsen to introduce the first branch to her connections in
Clance.â
Keira paused for a moment.
Back when Mrs. Olsen personally visited the Horton residence despite being unwell, Keira was there too. She wasnât aware of the specifics of the subsequent conversation between Mrs. Olsen and Melissa, but the next day, Isla and Jake were married, and Isla moved into the Horton residence.
So, it was Mrs. Olsen who had orchestrated this horse race gathering. Was it to introduce Jake to that group of young masters from Clance?
Her jaw tensed as she began to worry for Lewis.
At the same time, a bitter sadness that she couldnât
quite understand or articulate began to rise in her
chestâ¦
Although Mrs. Olsen didnât overtly interfere in the conflict between the first branch and Lewis, this move
clearly showed she had taken the side of the first branch to help Isla.
After allâ¦
Isla was her biological daughter, and back then, Keiraâs
relationship with Lewis hadnât been made public.
It was understandable for Mrs. Olsen to help the first
branch.
Her downcast look misled Frankie, who thought she was finally beginning to worry, so he reassured her. âDonât worry. With the relationship between Rebecca and you, the Allen family will be your connection in
Clance.â
Keira couldnât help but smile. âYouâre getting it the wrong way. I donâtâ¦â
Before she could say the words âneed it,â Lewis walked over, having changed his clothes.
He immediately spotted Frankie and Keira.
Keira wore a white riding outfit today, while Frankie was dressed in blue riding attire. The two of them stood together, and they made a perfect match of talent and beauty.
There was still a touch of warmth on Frankieâs face.
A sudden sense of crisis welled up in Lewisâs chest, prompting him to hurry over to Keiraâs side, grab her hand from behind, and cast a wary look toward Frankie as he declared his territory. Mr. Allen, youâre talking to my wife. Is there something you need?â
Frankie was perplexed.
He frowned. âItâs nothing serious, justâ¦â
âIf itâs nothing serious, then donât delay our horse riding,â Lewis said coldly, before turning to Keira. âDidnât you find horse riding interesting? Let me teach
you.â
Keira raised an eyebrow. âOkay.â
Holding hands, the couple prepared to leave, leaving Frankie standing there in disarray!
This couple actually still had the mind to go learn
horse riding?!
Were they here to ride horses today?!
Frankie felt like such a busybody.
No!
Frankie didnât believe he was a busybody.
Frankie grimaced inwardly and couldnât help but
mutter to himself before shouting out, âYouâre leaving just like that?â
Lewis paused for a moment and looked back at him,
âOtherwise?â
Frankie frowned. âI can introduce you to some people
from Clance who have come here.â
Lewisâs gaze was chilly, âThat wonât be necessary.â
âWhy must you be so stubborn!â Frankie was genuinely a bit angry now. âThe Davis family is a different story, and the other people have nothing to do with you. If
you keep this up, how are you going to hold on to your position as Chairman!â
Lewisâs expression remained indifferent, exuding strong, inexplicable confidence. âWhether or not I can hold onto my position wonât affect our two familiesâ
partnership.â
Frankie thought, âThatâs not what I meant!â
âI see,â Lewis Horton replied, still as frosty as ever, showing no warmth. âIs there anything else, Mr. Allen?â
Seeing his aloof manner, Frankie sighed inwardly.
He understood that Lewis was very sensitive about his
motherâs relatives.
Had anyone been in his shoes, who wouldnât harb
negative feelings toward a birth mother after bein
out of the womb to accelerate a divorce three mo
in advance and barely surviving the ordeal?
As he watched the pair head toward a more secluded corner, he could only remind aloud, âMiss Olsen, don forget our appointment to look at the photograph tonight.â
Lewis stopped in his tracks, his brows lightly furrowed. âWhat photograph?â
Keira explained lightly, âMrs. Allen mentioned thereâs a photograph related to me; Iâm going to have a look.â
Lewis then looked displeasedly at Frankie. âWill he be
there too?â
Keira, somewhat puzzled, said, âYes.â
Lewis said, âCanât we see it now?â
âWe canâ¦â
Frankie smiled.
He slowly took out his phone and opened the photograph he had taken.
In the photograph, a twenty-years-younger Mr. All stood next to a woman who was in her forties yet well-maintained.
That woman bore a lot of resemblance to Keira!