[Bonus chapter] The Banquet (2)

As they arrived at the venue, Kathrina got out of the car first. "I'll see you inside." Then, she hurriedly took a step away from her mother's vehicle to avoid getting the attention.

The number of cars lining up at the hotel entrance was insane. Looking at the type of vehicle, it was evident that the guests were important people who significantly influenced society.

Kathrina entered the ballroom, shocked at the view before her eyes. The design for today's event was grander than last year's. For a second, Kathrina thought she had come to a wedding reception.

The ballroom was huge, and the event organizer utilized the vast space perfectly. They filled the long rectangular table with topiaries, candelabras, and tall vases with flowers. Across it was a long line of dishes. On the ceiling were glass-made chandeliers. Then in the center of the room stood a medium-sized stage for her father to use during his speech.

Around fifteen minutes after she came, many people began to pack the room. She knew several of them, as they were celebrities who roamed around on her television almost daily. Kathrina also saw Iris Garcia, the one in charge of this hotel, and there was Adrian Miller with his secretary.

Kathrina waited and waited for Ford to come from the door, yet even his shadows could not be seen. She had heard from Kale that FSS would usually send the CEO's secretary to attend, as the CEO preferred to avoid high-profile events with many reporters.

That information nearly killed the little hope in her, but her eyes were still glued on the gate. She quietly muttered please while looking at the guests that came.

Her chanting seemed to work as Arthur finally walked from the door along with Belle.

A surge of happiness attacked her. She took in his appearance as it felt unreal. However, her happiness was short-lived since Iris Garcia suddenly stopped before him, taking his entire focus.

Kathrina remained in her place, as her eyes glared at them for talking too long. She clutched her small bag, feeling irritated at the view.

When a waiter passed her, Kathrina took a glass of champagne and gulped it in one shot. The sweetness of the liquid warmed her, easing the tension in her body.

"Good evening, everyone."

Her father's voice drove her attention away from Arthur. She looked at her father's face, which was swelling with pride. Like the past year, her father started the banquet with a short history of Auburn, moved to thank his brother and sister, and then expressed his big love toward his little family.

Kathrina noticed her father lift his glass of champagne and make a toast to everyone. "To Auburn." He spoke.

And everyone followed him, "To Auburn."

Unknown to Kathrina, Arthur's eyes were on her the entire time while she shifted her focus. He watched when her mouth curled up as Adam Reed proudly stood in the center of attention. Her joy brought him the serenity he had sought so badly all these years.

At the same time, Adrian Miller saw Arthur's strange gaze toward Kathrina. A crazy idea suddenly popped into his brain. He turned to face Mia, then said, "Wait here for me." He kissed her cheek and then left.

Mia left brow was elevated in question. Wondering what kind of thing Adrian had in mind this time.

"What the fuck is he doing?" Arthur cursed when he noticed Adrian tapped Kathrina's shoulder.

Kathrina jerked her head, looking at Adrian Miller with empty eyes.

"Hi," Adrian lifted his hand to offer her a handshake. Yet, Kathrina did not seem to respond. "Kathrina Reed, right?" He tried to talk again, and it met with silence.

Kathrina did not know why Adrian suddenly showed interest in her, but she was sure it was not good.

"What do you want?" she asked bluntly.

"Nothing. I was just wondering why Arthur Ford was looking at you."

The mention of Arthur's name successfully attracted Kathrina. The conversation turned in a direction she wanted to engage in.

Adrian could sense a change of attitude of Kathrina, which made him rejoice in his heart. Turned out that both Kathrina and Arthur were involved with each other. His little trick surely would tick Arthur's temper.

As Adrian stepped closer to her, Kathrina asked defensively. "What are you doing?"

"Just trying to confirm my guess," Adrian answered shortly. He could feel the weight of someone's eyes on his back. "I bet he looks at us with hundreds of daggers in his eyes," Adrian added.

A frown formed on Kathrina's temple, and she gazed past Adrian's shoulder. Then it hit her, the way Arthur was looking at them. She gulped, knowing she had the same expression while watching him interact with another woman other than her.

"I want to do something that might be uncomfortable for you but believe me. I mean no harm." Adrian said.

Kathrina's head was suddenly muddled, and abruptly she felt Adrian's hand touch her bare back. She gripped his forearm hard, making sure it hurt him. "Don't touch me as you please, Miller." She hissed.

Miller smiled, "Don't worry, I won't do anything inappropriate."

"Touching a woman without consent is inappropriate." She talked back.

"Just stay for a while, okay? You will see."

Kathrina obeyed as her curiosity took over. She inhaled and exhaled to gain her composure, but it suddenly evaporated as she felt his thumb grazing her skin.

Without caring about anything, Kathrina tried to twist his hand and said, "Stop it, or I will break your hand."

"Let go of her, Miller." Arthur's stern voice finally came in. He looked in Adrian's direction as if he wanted to kill him.

Adrian was over the moon after seeing Arthur's reaction. It was just as he expected. "Why do you care? It's not like she hates me."

"She hates you," Arthur stated. Then he pointed at Mia, "The woman over there has been watching you, and from what I see, she is not impressed." Arthur changed his tactic by using Mia. It always worked, no matter how often he had used the same trick.

Adrian finally let Kathrina go. He grinned at her, winked his eyes, and then moved away to stand beside Arthur.

"You have fallen in love, Ford," Adrian whispered mischievously and then walked away.