Mimi readjusted her facial expression before turning to walk towards Lee Odo. As she approached the group, she glanced to the side at Tobias, not surprised to see him there. So often he seemed to be near her even though she wasn't aware of his presence.
From a bystander's point of view, it was like his face had become even grimmer, perhaps appearing angry, but that wasn't actually what happened. It was clear to her he was nervous.
Without blinking, Mimi confronted Lee Odo's knowing and amused stare. The edge of her brows twitched. She sensed a headache coming on.
The first thing Lee Odo said when she arrived was, "Well, don't you look handsome tonight?"
Mimi acknowledges with a nod. "Yes, I know."
While everyone was stunned by the young man's shameless response, Lee Odo let out a hearty laugh.
He painted on a brilliant smile, carefreely waved, and said cheerfully, "Allow me to introduce you to everyone."
As he came to Tobias Itou, his smiles deepened. "And of course, you already know Mr. Itou. Why don't the two of you talk and catch up? I'm about to make my announcement soon."
Mimi glanced at Lee Odo, and her own mood, not too cheery to begin with, dropped several levels. Damn this old man, he could never mind his own business.
Even when faced with his lively and hopeful face, Mimi refused to humor him: "No. I should return to my table if you're about to make your speech.
Lee Odo stared down at the boy and let out a sigh. "Very well."
Unable to do anything else, Lee Odo excused himself to make his announcement for the night.
Just as she was about to return to her table, Mimi was faced with Tobias's broad, sturdy chest. She stared at his chest for two seconds and suddenly looked up.
"Move please." She asked in a light, neutral tone.
Tobias was stunned for a moment. From the look in her eyes, it was clear she still regarded him with indifference. Tobias's tense nerves loosened and he lowered his eyelashes to conceal the loss in his eyes.
He pretended to smile easily and said: "I'm sorry."
Unfortunately, he did not move her at all. Mimi hummed a simple tone as if she couldn't hear the fluctuation in his voice or understand the true meaning of his words.
Walking past him, she returned to her table with Emilia and her father. When it was time for Lee Odo's announcement, everyone had already returned to their assigned seats – all eyes on the man on stage. At that moment, on stage, Lee Odo adjusted the mic, a hearty grin on his wrinkled face.
"Thank you, everyone, for coming tonight. Since today is such a special day for myself and my company, I would like to take this chance to say a few things."
Lee Odo cleared his throat. "I have been in the industry for over sixty years. And in those years, I've had my fair share of mistakes happen. Whether it was with work or my relationship with colleagues, I've made mistakes. Yet one thing that I have learned over time is that when you make a mistake, recognize it, admit to it and figure out why it was made. Then do everything in your power to avoid making the same mistake again."
In the audience, everyone listened with full attention. Among them, Tobias listened to Lee Odo's words with a silent expression. He glanced over a few tables over where he saw a certain figure looking up at the stage with intent eyes.
Tonight, Mimi's bangs had all been combed away to show off every flawless bit of her forehead. Her beautiful oval face helped to emphasize her bright and clear eyes. Contrasted against her skin, the dark color of her tuxedo helped her skin look all the more fair and beautiful.
Tobias watched Mimi's movements with deep eyes, his line of sight never leaving her.
"Now, the hardest thing in life, and this industry is to forgive. But hate is self-destructive. Believe me, in my seventy years on this earth, I know if you hate somebody you're not hurting the person you hate, you're hurting yourself. Forgiveness is healing."
While many listened to Lee Odo's speech with deep admiration, numerous key figures in the audience took his words in deep silence. Mimi, who had been listening from the start quietly, stared at the old man.
Her brows furrowed deeper. Her head lowered slightly, and her gaze settled on her clenched palms. Her heart shook just a bit. When she raised her head, a look of surprise crossed her eyes. Lee Odo was staring at her, his eyes filled with a soft, prideful gaze.
"Time passes by so quickly. Change happens all around us every day whether we like it or not. Enjoy the moment while you can. One day it will just be another memory." His tone grew warmer as he glanced away from her to another spot in the audience.
Unconsciously, Mimi followed his gaze and instantly froze. She unexpectedly confronted a pair of deep, piercing eyes.
The moment the girl's eyes met his; Tobias smiled unconsciously with the corners of his mouth curled up. At that moment, his whole being was absorbed in tenderness, and even his cold and gorgeous face seemed to become gentle as water.
Mimi's eyelashes trembled, but the clear eyes did not move. Finally looking away, Mimi looked back at Lee Odo.
She couldn't do this.
"Andras?" Emilia noticed Mimi's agitated attitude and her brows furrowed. "What's wrong—"
Before Emilia could respond, a sudden sound was heard from behind Lee Odo. In confusion, everyone's eyes shifted to the screen behind Lee Odo. The moment a clear image appeared on the screen, everyone's expression turned into ones of shock.
"Mmmh, faster…"
Hearing the sounds behind him, Lee Odo's face instantly froze. Turning around, he too was too startled to speak.
On the large screen playing before everyone was footage of an attractive woman and a young man performing lewd acts. There was no blurring of body parts or faces, everything was openly shown to everyone causing numerous faces to flush.
However, what caused everyone to turn pale in fear was the identity of the two people. It was none other than Seth Hirogori and his stepmother Lillian Hirogori!