"Adam." She murmured, her lips curving into a slight smile, "What a nice name. I wonder what kind of person he is. He must be quite remarkable."
"Hey, who's that?"
A sharp female voice suddenly pierced the air.
Rhea looked up and a flicker of fear crossed her eyes upon seeing the newcomer.
Lila stared at Rhea in disbelief, laughing lightly, "Rhea, it really is you. I almost thought I was seeing things. How did a pauper like you manage to sneak in here?"
The only reason Lila and her family were able to attend was due to their distant relation to the Ling family. It was astonishing to see Rhea, a penniless girl, at such an event.
A friend standing beside Lila asked curiously, "Who is she?"
"Her? She's the infamous scammer from the Liu family who accused Zuri of being ungrateful," Lila said, raising her voice deliberately.
Hearing this, those around them turned their heads, scrutinizing Rhea.
Rhea felt extremely uncomfortable under the intense gazes.
"How could someone like her get in here? Maybe she came with some old man," a girl whispered beside Lila.
Rhea's face flushed red, "I have an invitation. Stop slandering me."
"You? With an invitation? You're a born liar, a fraud through and through," Lila laughed mockingly.
"The invitation was given to me by Zuri. If you don't believe me, ask her yourself."
As more and more guests started paying attention to their confrontation, Rhea began to panic. She had important matters to attend to today. If everyone misunderstood her, how could she snag a wealthy husband and secure a strong backer?
Determined, Rhea pushed past Lila and fled.
Lila wanted to give chase but was held back by her friend, "This is the Ling family's anniversary celebration. If you cause a scene over a nobody, your father will skin you alive."
Reluctantly, Lila stopped and watched Rhea leave.
Her father brought her to the event not to deal with someone as insignificant as Rhea, but to meet the genius doctor Adam.
Genius doctor or not, he's still just a doctor. She, a young lady of the Xia family, was more than a match for him.
"Do I look beautiful today?" Lila asked, twirling in front of her friends.
"Beautiful, absolutely stunning."
Meanwhile, at the entrance of the banquet hall, Azura stood expectantly, a distinguished man by her side. Every guest who arrived and saw the man greeted him warmly.
"Mr. Ye, long time no see."
"Mr. Gu, how have you been?"
"Thanks to you, Mr. Ye, I've been well. Are you waiting for someone?" Mr. Gu asked casually.
"Just accompanying my niece."
Mr. Gu nodded in understanding, "I'll head inside then."
Leo nodded back.
As soon as one guest left, another came up to greet Leo, and so on.
During a brief moment alone, Azura turned to Leo with a hint of impatience, "Uncle, you should go inside."
"Your mother asked me to look after you. I can't leave you here alone," Leo said sternly.
Azura's lips twitched.
Yeah, right. Who believes that?
"Ha-ha."
As they spoke, a Porsche slowly drove up and stopped at the entrance. When Zuri appeared, Azura's eyes lit up, and she waved enthusiastically.
"Zuri, over here!"
Zuri looked in her direction and smiled.
Aaron, seeing Leo, quickened his pace and led his wife and children towards them.
"Hello, Mr. Ye," Aaron greeted warmly.
"Mr. Lin, you're looking well."
Aaron smiled brightly. He subtly nudged Christian forward and introduced him, "Mr. Ye, you haven't met him before. This is my son, Christian. Christian, greet Mr. Ye."
Christian stepped forward, his eyes full of admiration, "Mr. Ye, hello. I've admired you for a long time. You're my idol."
Saira also greeted him, "Hello, Brother Ye."
Leo frowned slightly, about to say something when Azura sneered, "Who are you calling brother? Your brother is right beside you. What kind of eyesight do you have?"
The atmosphere instantly froze.
Saira's face turned red with embarrassment.
Noticing Leo's frown, Aaron scolded Saira with a glare, "Ha-ha, Mr. Ye, don't mind her. She's just a kid, doesn't know better. In her eyes, someone as accomplished as you feels like an elder brother."
Azura wanted to retort but held back, considering Zuri's father was speaking. She begrudgingly remained silent.
Leo's expression softened as he looked at Zuri.
They all called out so quickly, yet this little girl remained silent today.
Meeting Leo's gaze, Zuri smiled, "Uncle."
Leo: ...
Leo's smile froze.
"Actually, you can call me brother like your sister does," Leo said seriously.
Aaron's eyes lit up, and Saira's heart surged with excitement.
Did this mean she could continue calling him brother?
Their relationship could become closer.
Aaron urged, "Zuri, call him."
Now's the time. Don't miss this chance.
Zuri glanced at her eager father and then at the calm and composed man in front of her, "Azura and I are good friends. Calling you brother doesn't seem appropriate. Uncle is more fitting."
Azura nodded vigorously, "Exactly."
If Zuri called him brother, her rank would drop a generation. That wouldn't do.
Leo gave Azura a deep, meaningful smile, "You're right."
Azura shivered under his gaze. Facing her uncle's loaded smile, she cowered.
"Zuri, on second thought, you should call him brother. After all, you and my uncle aren't that far apart in age. Calling him uncle might make him feel old."
Poor Azura, her survival instincts kicking in.
Zuri looked at Azura's pitiful expression and then at the elegant man across from her. She cleared her throat and in a soft, sweet voice, called out, "Brother Ye."
Instantly, the oppressive atmosphere lifted, replaced by a refreshing breeze.
Azura glanced at her uncle, secretly grumbling.
You'll pay for this, sneaky uncle.
Saira stood aside, unable to hide her jealousy.
Why? Why was he so good to her? How was she any worse than Zuri?