CHAPTER 13: CHAPTER 13: THE VAUGHN FAMILY OF AURELIA

Many people in the banquet hall gathered around Poe Vaughn.

This was the norm; wherever he appeared, such was the situation.

However, tonight was slightly different from usual.

Because there was a gaze resting on him, which, from the moment he appeared, burned so intensely it seemed to bore holes into his face.

Holding a wine glass, he did not look at that gaze but focused instead on the people in front of him, occasionally replying once or twice.

Suddenly, his eyes shifted slightly, looking to the left side.

"Sis, hold me, quick, hold me!"

Ava suddenly leaned toward Cheng Mingzhu, as if she were too frail to stand and might collapse at any moment.

Her hand fell on Cheng Mingzhu’s hand, seeming to use her as support.

A moment ago she was fine, but she suddenly became weak for no apparent reason, and without much thought, Cheng Mingzhu hurriedly put her wine glass aside and supported Ava: "What’s wrong?"

"Could it be she is drunk?"

With Cheng Mingzhu’s support, Ava completely leaned on her, holding her chest, her eyes half-closed, looking extremely weak.

However, under the lights, her complexion was rosy, and her breathing was regular, making it hard to see any problem.

Ava shook her head, leaning on Cheng Mingzhu, clutching her wildly beating heart, and weakly said, "Let me catch my breath."

Earlier, she had not seen the person’s full figure because he was surrounded by people.

The people in the banquet hall surrounded him like an impenetrable wall, and even though he was tall, she couldn’t see below his chest.

But just seeing a third of him was enough to give her an answer in her heart.

He was the man from that night!

Crestwood Manor, surname Vaughn.

Originally, she had forgotten about that night’s event; after all, the matter had already happened and couldn’t be changed, so there was no point in dwelling on it.

So when she saw the man in her line of sight, she hadn’t thought of that night at all.

But as soon as the surname Vaughn reached her ears, connected with Crestwood Manor from that night, and gathered with the man in front of her now,

instinctively told her he was the man from that night.

This was an alarming thing, really alarming.

She needed to catch her breath.

Catch her breath.

Cheng Mingzhu thought Ava was drunk and helped her to sit on a sofa in the corner, then asked a server to prepare a cup of lemon water to make Ava feel better.

Ava leaned back on the sofa, closed her eyes to calm herself down.

The Vaughn Family, she had heard of them during her many years in Aurelia.

The Vaughn Family were descendants of the royal lineage, and with the changes over the centuries, they began to dabble in various fields, and after several generations, they had deep roots.

Especially in Aurelia, which was essentially the empire they built.

Among the Vaughn family’s younger generation, there was one particularly outstanding individual.

The rumor was that he was a business genius who, within just ten years, had built his own business empire, which ranked in the top three in the world.

If it was just the national top three, it would be one thing, but being in the top three in the world, one could imagine how formidable this individual was.

And regarding such figures, Ava always just passed by listening.

Although her profession exposed her to many aspects of the world and many genuinely wealthy people, those at the top of the pyramid were not within her reach.

And it was impossible to meet them.

It was often said that there are distinctions in the social hierarchy, and even among the wealthy, this was true.

In her heart, she clearly understood her position and never overreached, doing her part well.

But now, she seemed to have a connection with such a figure; was her life over because of it?

Wait!

Ava opened her eyes instantly and sat up abruptly.

How could she assume that man was the legendary formidable one?

With so many people in the Vaughn Family, why would the man from that night be the most outstanding one?

Ava couldn’t help rolling her eyes at herself.

"Ava, have you got your head in the clouds?"

"Just because you have a bit of looks, you’re fantasizing about someone who resides high in the sky. I think you really need to wake up."

Ava patted her face, coincidentally spotting the lemon water placed in front of her, and gulped it down.

Surely, it was tonight’s allure, coupled with having drunk quite a bit, that turned her brain foolish.

Cheng Mingzhu had just left because someone came to see her, so she had no choice but to go.

Before leaving, she instructed the waitstaff to keep an eye on Ava and send her to the hospital if necessary.

The waiter nearby, seeing Ava drink an entire glass of lemon water, stepped forward: "Ma’am, would you like some more?"

Ava also recalled Cheng Mingzhu’s departing words, asking her to rest well and, if really unwell, to let the server take her to the hospital.

"Yes!"

"Alright, please wait a moment."

The waiter left, and after finishing another glass of lemon water, Ava felt a lot clearer.

She looked ahead and noticed that striking person was no longer there.

Ava immediately felt disappointed, what a pity.

Putting everything else aside, this man indeed matched her taste perfectly.

However, being part of the Vaughn Family was another matter entirely.

Such established grand clans, with their multitude of rules and countless troubles, any connection with the Vaughn Family would mean self-destruction for her future.

She absolutely didn’t want that.

Even though she loved beauty, when it came down to choosing between beauty and money, she would still opt for money.

These days, anyone can betray and abandon you, except money.

Ava adjusted her mood. When the server brought another glass of lemon water, she finished it and went to the restroom.

Drinking too much water made her need to relieve herself.

"I didn’t expect MK to invite President Vaughn for this event; it’s really impressive!"

"Neither did I, but Celestial Group has been touching upon various industries, and in recent years, with the advancement of technology, I heard they’ve made significant efforts in this area too."

"I see, MK’s current success with mobile phones and its cooperation with Celestial is natural, but the president of Celestial is truly good-looking."

"I used to think he was a man in his forties or fifties, but he looks so young. I wonder if he’s married."

"Why? Are you interested romantically?"

"Heh, don’t tell me you’re not?"

"Hahaha, I am!"

"I dare say that every woman in the banquet hall tonight is drooling over him, absolutely!"

Ava finished relieving herself, overhearing people talking as they walked in.

Full of adoration.

She could imagine what the people outside looked like, but she could understand.

The love for beauty is common to all.

We’re all mere mortals, nothing more normal about it.

Pushing the door open to step out, the conversation instantly stopped, and several people looked at her.

Immediately, their eyes filled with surprise, unexpected.

Ava didn’t look at them, went to the sink to wash her hands, and then touched up her makeup.

Tonight, she still had places to make an appearance, so she couldn’t afford mistakes.

After all, it’s all about the money.

The mirror clearly reflected the expressions of several women, Ava’s gaze lightly swept over them, ensuring that she still looked stunningly beautiful before leaving with aloof elegance.

And with her departure, words followed: "Why is she here? Didn’t she drop off the map?"

"Didn’t you know? She’s back, still active in the modeling world."

"Really? With all that drama, I wouldn’t dare show my face, yet here she is, still in the same industry. Isn’t she afraid of being talked about?"

"Did she look like someone afraid of showing her face just now?"

"Uh... she really is something."

"What’s so special about that? I see her as pathetic, but pitiable people usually detest something too."

"..."

Ava heard as she walked away without any change in her expression.