"Long time no see, Miss Ella."
"Yes, Your Highness."
What Barron didn't expect was that at this Virgin family gathering, he met Gabrielle, the daughter of the Duke of Kent. The two hadn't seen each other for a long time, especially after Barron had a girlfriend, Bonnie. The last time she tried to make advances, but Barron didn't respond - it's not that Barron was heartless or so devoted, but Gabrielle's royal background didn't make it suitable for Barron to have a too "deep" relationship with her.
Considering that the Virgin family has always maintained a special relationship with the royal family, meeting her here is not too strange.
"You seem to be getting more and more beautiful, Miss Ella. You have graduated now, right?"
"Yes, I just graduated this year and am currently doing some design work."
Of course, the meeting with Gabriel was just a small episode. Although Barron could still feel something special in the other's eyes, it was just like his original choice - although compared with Bonnie, Gabriel's background was more "noble", but whether in terms of appearance or figure, Gabriel could be regarded as a beauty among ordinary people, but Bonnie was much better.
In fact, Barron himself does not attach much importance to the so-called "noble birth". He does not need to rely on this to add embellishment. On the contrary, it will become an obstacle for him in some aspects. In comparison, Bonnie is more suitable for him.
"I'm glad you're here, Your Highness."
"I missed it last time, I must not miss this opportunity again..."
After Barron got away from Gabriel, he met the organizer of the party, Richard Branson, the founder of the Virgin Group, who also seemed very enthusiastic.
"I know you've had some troubles recently, but it's definitely not a big deal for you. But if I can help you, please let me know if you need anything..."
Lighting up his cigar, Branson spoke sincerely with his signature smile.
As the youngest Duke of England, people of Branson's level naturally know some of the inside story about the troubles Barron has encountered recently.
After the share price of Summit Media was supported by the "invisible big hand" and fixed at 20 pounds, it can be said that the current situation has undergone subtle changes.
Even though the investigation into DS Capital and Standard Chartered Bank is still ongoing, it is clear that Baron feels more "friendship" than before.
You know, Virgin Group also has Virgin Bank, so the meaning of Branson's words is self-evident.
Regardless of whether he was sincere or just being polite, Barron could not really ask for any help:
"Thank you very much, Sir Branson, but as you said, these are minor issues."
"Haha, I knew it. Let's enjoy today's party, Your Highness. There are many beauties here today."
Branson said, winking at Barron.
It was indeed as he said, this time Branson's party was not limited to upper-class celebrities, but also invited many stars and many beauties to participate.
But the beauty that Barron noticed later was not a celebrity...
"Mrs. Hall, I didn't expect you to be here..."
Seeing Catherine sitting next to some noble ladies including Gabriel, Barron looked around and said to her,
"Why don't you see Mr. Hall?"
"He has a cold recently, so he didn't come today."
Frankly speaking, if it weren't for her predecessor's brother's entanglement with Catherine, she would indeed look like an elegant, gentle and very charming lady.
But the existence of those entanglements made Barron wonder what unknown things were hidden behind her gentle appearance.
"Your Highness the Duke..."
Just as Barron turned around and was about to leave, Catherine called him softly.
"Why, Mrs. Hall?"
"Let's go over there. Actually, I have something I want to say to you."
Seeing Catherine gesture towards the quieter corner on the second floor, Barron followed her upstairs after she stood up.
I have to say that although the style of Catherine's dress today looks quite "conservative", the cut of the dress is very fitting.
Just like now, when she was going up the stairs, Barron was walking behind her. When he looked up, he could see that breathtaking curve, which was very eye-catching.
"I wonder what you want to say, Mrs. Hall."
When Catherine stopped in front of a floor-to-ceiling window, Barron stopped beside her, put his hands in his pockets, looked at her profile, and asked lightly.
"It's about me and James. Yes, I was the one who broke off our engagement, and later..."
Catherine glanced at Barron, then reached out and opened the curtains a little, looked out the window, and said,
"Later, I married Colin, but it's not what you think, there's another story..."
James Cavendish, Barron's good brother, heard Catherine mention him again, and Barron asked casually:
"What do you think I'm thinking?"
"You would think it was me..."
After taking a deep breath, Catherine was silent for a moment and said,
"Perhaps you think I'm sorry to James, but even if he's in front of me, I can say that about what happened between us before, I...maybe I owe him something emotionally, but before this, I definitely didn't do anything to hurt him."
"It's meaningless to say this now, isn't it?"
When Catherine heard Barron's words, she met his gaze and said softly,
"But I don't want you to misunderstand."
"In fact, Mrs. Hall, I am not interested in the story between you and my brother, and I don't have any childish thoughts of venting his anger for him. Just like with the Devonshire family, my eyes are only on the future..."
Barron took a step forward, got closer to Catherine's face, and said softly,
"If you don't stand on the opposite side of me in the future, there's no need to worry so much."
"Barron...you..."
She was seen taking a step back, leaning her back against the wall.
Barron smiled and turned away:
"Also, Mrs. Hall, I love the violet smell of your Dior perfume."
…
"Barron, are you ready to go?"
When Barron returned downstairs, he met Gabrielle again. Hearing her question, Barron nodded and said:
"Yes, Miss Ella, I have something else to do..."
"oh..."
"Oh, right..."
Gabriel was looking at Barron's back with a look of loss on his face, but when he heard his words, a light flashed in his eyes:
"What's up, Barron?"
"I see you and Mrs. Catherine Hall seem to be chatting quite happily."
"Mrs. Hall? We have known each other for a while and are good friends. She also has some unique ideas about design..."
Gabriel replied like this, but he didn't know what he was thinking of, and a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.
"I see. So you became active after you graduated and returned to London."
"We've seen each other more often in the past month. What's wrong?"
"Nothing. I have a lot of business dealings with her husband, Mr. Hall, so I just asked casually. I'll be leaving first, Miss Ella."