Claire entered arm in arm with her boyfriend. She was dressed in deep-V neck sequin golden gown.
Claire made her way towards Heimirich, Verena decided that this was perfect opportunity to greet her parents and leave quickly since their attention will be focused on Claire.
Verena excused herself and followed behind Claire. Heimirich had been chatting with the directors of the company with Gianna on his side.
Gianna has been keeping a standard smile on her face as a perfect companion, her face felt a little stiff after an hour.
On seeing her daughter approaching her smile becomes real and brighter. Claire was shining in golden gown, Gianna felt proud to see her getting attention she deserves.
He said something to the directors before walking towards his daughters.
"Claire, Verena, why are you late? Didn't I asked you two to come sooner?" Heimirich frowned.
"Dad, I am sorry, the makeup artist came late." Claire let go her boyfriend's arm and wraps her around Heimirich free hand.
Heimirich frown slightly eases and he gently pats her hand, "Its not your fault, you should fire such an employee, can't even keep the appointment."
While Claire is talking with Heimirich, Verena sneaked a glance at Claire's boyfriend. It's different person from the last time.
Despite hating Claire, Verena can't help but admire cunningness. Claire's new boyfriend is always the someone who hassome upcoming business project and could provide her with lot of benefits. Verena had figured out the pattern after some observation, the dating thing is most likely mutual.
"There was an urgent business call at last minute." Verena explained when Heimirich looked at her.
At this time, Claire looked at Verena who had been standing behind when she came to Heimirich and her expression subtly changes.
This is not the dress she got information about. Verena tricked her.
Gianna felt similar dissatisfaction bubbling in her, why does Verena dress more beautiful than Claire?
After looking at her own dress, Claire suddenly felt that it was not magnificent anymore. Before seeing Verena, she loved this dress to bits but suddenly all her love turned into annoyance.
Mr. Zhao who was nearby came over at this time and heard their conversation, "Its's alright, young people are busy nowadays." Mr. Zhao lets out a chuckle while patting Heimirich on his shoulder.
Mr. Zhao is their family's old friend. He was one of the people who helped Verena's aunt when she started the business. He moved to the countryside after retiring it's rare that he is attending the company's anniversary banquet.
Because of Mr. Zhao does not say anything more instead he took Claire to some of his business partners.
Verena watches them act with folded arms and expressionless face. It's clearly Verena who handles the cooperation and agreement, but Claire is being introduced, showing who has Heimirich's support.
The lights dimmed, the spotlight fall on the stage and Heimirich gets on stage to give a short speech.
"I want to thank everyone for joining us on this special day. It has been 30 years since my sister first started Red Kite. Now, we are taking another step forward and I am excited to announce for our next project we will be working with the Research Laboratory of New Magic."
Whispers and exclamations of shock spread across the crowd. His words caused a huge reaction in the crowd below the stage.
The reason for such a big reaction is that The Research Laboratory of New Magic had always refused to cooperate with anyone before. They have always worked independently, neither with government nor with businesses.
Heimirich, even Verena had the same reaction when they accepted their proposal.
Once the fact sunk in he was over the moon, forgetting this deal was all due to Verena.
The first proposal was prepared by Claire and her team. It was rejected and the proposal ultimately landed on Verena table. While she did not had expectation because of their track record, she did her best and unexpectedly proposal was accepted.
Heimirich said few more words to express his joy and motioned Dr. Melor, the Head Researcher in the Research and Development Department, to come on the stage.
Dr. Melor follows his words, welcoming people from The Research Laboratory of new magic.
A round of thunderous applause ring in her ear, Verena puts down her juice glass and joins the clapping.
It was result of her hard work, she deserved to be praised. She is clapped for herself.
A middle-aged man and a man in his late 20s steps on the stage. She recognizes the older man as he is famous in her circle but it's her first time seeing the young, man following behind him
His backside kind of looked familiar. The younger man was dressed in navy blue formal suit and trouser.
A sudden thought comes to her mind but she quickly dismisses it. What is she thinking? There is no way he would here, Heimirich had already sent him to the prison.
Verena watches the man climbing the stairs to the stage and an ominous premonition spread through her body. The uneasy feeling grew with every passing moment.
Verena abruptly stops clapping. Her premonition cane to be true.
She stared at Ovidius in shock as he took the microphone and delivered some words in a gentle tone. No one could ever have imagined that this man has sneaked into someone's house in the middle of the night.
Without turning around she could imagine the stir his smile and voice has caused to the heart of young ladies.
Verena and Ovidius' eyes meet for a fleeting moment before his eyes move to the another place in the crowd, brushing past her position as if they have never met.
Ovidius smile doesn't flatter a bit because he knew from the start he was going to meet Verena in the banquet. Her expression of shock was seen by Ovidius without her noticing.
Verena looked left and right but Claire and Gianna had no reaction. Verena increasingly felt puzzled but quickly masks her reaction. If no one is reacting but only her, it would arise suspicion.
Ovidius is right in front of her then who is the thief who caught yesterday?
Verena suffered another bolt of shock when the middle-aged man beside Ovidius introduces him as his son and as the successor of the laboratory.
The new piece of information created waves not only in her heart but also in many among the crowd.
Some of the whispers reach Verena's ears from which she managed to gain some understanding of the situation.
Dakarai, Ovidius's father and the current head of the Research Laboratory went abroad to get his son treated for his heart diseases when he was young. Later, Dakarai returned to the country after his wife death but Ovidius stayed back.
By that time many had forgotten the existence of Ovidius, thinking he had died, especially since Dakarai rarely appeared in the public himself.
The news was no less from a bomb thrown out of nowhere.
At the same time, a chill runs down her back. Then what was he doing in her house last night? Why would someone with background like his sneak in her house? Verena watched him with vigilance.
Before she could think further, Heimirich with Dr. Melor, Ovidius and Dakarai, stopped in front of them.