"Good. You have a clear perception of yourself. Always keep that in mind!" Edward said, raising an eyebrow. Since Rain was obedient to him, he decided to let Rain in peace.
"Rain, you are a lion among sheep and a sheep among lions!" Belinda joined in the conversation with a sarcastic smile.
"Hey guys, have I done something to you all to deserve that?! Why did you mock me one after another?" Rain felt sad and dejected at this moment and thought to himself, 'Why is it always me who's being bullied?'
The evil will be defeated even when good men don't do anything." Tom couldn't help but put Rain down. Everybody laughed at his words, which made Rain feel even worse about himself.
"I'm back. Gerard, come in!" The door opened and Leena came in with cheeks all flushed. Kevin wondered whether it was because of the cold weather or shyness, though the second was nearly impossible.
"So you went out to pick him up?" Duke snorted and looked at Kevin, wondering what he would do. After all, Gerard was one of Leena's admirers.
"Yes! Duke, you two have met before, in France. Don't you remember?" Leena asked with a sweet smile and looked at her brother with her big, bright eyes.
Yeah, we've met before, but I was not very impressed with him." Duke would never pay any attention to those he was not interested in. As Leena's brother, he didn't like her admirers and he disliked Gerard by default. They had just met once, and even so, Duke believed that they wouldn't be friends.
"Unless my memory is lying, this young man must be from Blanc family who owns Blanc Group. Am I right?" Edward asked with a smile. Though he had recognized Gerard, he didn't get up to greet him. After all, he was the head here. No matter how powerful Blanc family was in France, nothing could beat his power and self-consciousness.
"Edward, you know Gerard?!" Leena asked, surprised. 'In this case, I could ask Gerard to sit next to Edward so that they can make small talk, and Gerard won't feel left alone," she thought.
No, I don't. I just heard of him before." Edward looked down and smiled slightly. Leena had mentioned Gerard in the past, but Edward had been not sure about who he really was at that time. Now he knew that Gerard was from Blanc family.
"I thought you two knew each other. What a pity!" Leena felt anxious. Since Edward and Gerard didn't know each other, she had to give up her idea and find Gerard another seat. 'Now I can only ask Gerard to sit next to Kevin. At least they've spoken with each other before,' she thought to herself. Though Duke also knew Gerard, Leena didn't think Duke would talk to Gerard. She knew her brother well enough.
"Leena, you two are friends?" Edward asked and smiled politely at Gerard. He curled his lips like he was having something in mind.
Sort of," Leena murmured a little embarrassed. Technically, Leena and Gerard used to be a couple. She now knew that she was't that into him at that time, though it was a fact that they had been dating for a period of time.
"Good evening, guys! I'm Gerard. Nice to meet you all!" Gerard greeted everyone warmly, though he could feel he was not welcomed here.
"Nice to meet you, Gerard. Since you're Leena's friend, you'll be also ours from now on. Welcome to the crew!" Belinda was the first one to greet Gerard. She was always so friendly. Men, on the contrary, remained cool towards Gerard and weren't showing any intention to get to know him.
"Gerard, it's so nice to see you again!" Kevin reached out his hand and patted Gerard's shoulder. He looked really calm and didn't seem to be bothered by his wife's ex. Kevin was known for his warm heart and an open mind.
"Major General Gu, the pleasure is mine!" Gerard had mixed feelings towards Kevin. But he knew that anything that was forcibly done was in no way going to bring joy. And since Leena had chosen Kevin, Gerard, as a gracious gentleman he was, couldn't wish them anything but the best.
Kevin turned to Leena and touched her red cheek playfully. Her little cute face was frozen from the cold outside, so he took it with his both palms, in a loving attempt to warm it up.
"Is it cold outside?" Kevin knew Leena wasn't used to cold at all, so he had asked her to put on his coat before she had left the room. But he didn't expect that she returned with such cold cheeks. He should have gone with her, so that he could have held her in his arms, warm and safe, as usual. He loved her so much, he would literally freeze to death but keep her comfortable.
"No, it isn't. It's just the wind." Leena looked up to his handsome face and blushed like a little girl. She could feel that all the people were fixing their eyes upon them.
Kevin wasn't worried about what they would think. He had tunnel vision for Leena. The man stared at his wife affectionately as if there were nobody else in the world. Gerard smiled warmly, although he felt like he was the third wheel.
I guess I have to prescribe some Chinese herbs for Leena to improve her health," Tom mumbled to himself, but everyone in the room heard what he said, especially Leena. She shivered at Tom's words and her bright eyes widened, full of fear.
"I agree with you. Please do it as soon as possible!" Duke gave great importance to anything related to his sister. He immediately urged Tom to prescribe the herbs for her. It was the most important thing for him that she stayed healthy, and this was the only thing that mattered.
"Guys, take a seat, please. Since everyone is here, shall we start eating? We can discuss this issue after dinner," Edward suggested. 'It's getting late and Justin must be hungry now!' Edward thought. Justin was a growing child and needed more food and better nutrition than adults.