Chapter 196:
“She’s Bella. She’s my… friend,” Klein said.
I couldn’t help but glance up at him. Why hadn’t he just said I was his employee? Was there something unspoken about it?
At that moment, Mrs. Reina pointed at Klein and teased, “Vivian isn’t here, and now you have another woman?”
“Mrs. Reina, don’t make things difficult for me today,” Klein responded, stepping forward to gently take her hand.
The atmosphere grew a bit tense.
Vivian? Who was she?
The situation didn’t give me time to dwell on the question. I needed to break the awkward silence.
I stepped forward, offering a polite smile.
“Mr. Reina, Mrs. Reina, I am an employee of Mr. Wharton’s company. Thanks to the opportunity I’ve been given, I’m here to attend your anniversary celebration. I wish you both health and a long life together.”
The reason I said that was to make it clear that there was nothing ambiguous between Klein and me. Additionally, it was meant as a sincere blessing.
“Thank you for your blessing.”
Mrs. Reina smiled warmly, her eyes curving like the crescent moon.
“Then, Mrs. Reina, we’ll head inside.”
gαℓησν𝒆𝓁s．çоm takes you away
With that, Klein gently pulled me into the manor. Behind us, more guests were still waiting to enter.
The banquet hall was enormous, its opulence highlighted by a grand crystal chandelier that illuminated the room in a warm, golden glow. Guests, elegantly dressed, engaged in refined conversations, their laughter mingling with the soft melody of the live music. Waiters moved gracefully through the crowd, carrying trays of exquisite food and fine wine.
Klein took two glasses of champagne from a passing waiter’s tray and handed one to me.
“You seem to know Mrs. Reina?” I asked.
Klein chuckled.
“The Reina Family and the Wharton Family have a close relationship. Mr. and Mrs. Reina are good friends with my family.”
I nodded in understanding. The Wharton Family was one of the most powerful families in the world. It wasn’t surprising to hear something like that.
But then, a sudden realization struck me. The Wharton Family…
Herbert, who held an even greater influence within the Wharton Family—he would undoubtedly be here tonight.
A wave of nervousness washed over me.
If I had known Herbert would be attending, I would have turned down Klein’s invitation without hesitation.
I suddenly found myself scanning the crowd, searching for that familiar figure, unable to shake the uneasy feeling in my chest.
“What’s wrong?”
Klein, noticing my discomfort, wrapped a protective arm around my shoulders.
