CHAPTER 213: LONG TIME NO SEE

The Darlington Family Estate shimmered like a palace reborn.

Nestled atop a hill overlooking the neon expanse of Eastbridge City, its marble towers and crystal-paneled halls glowed under a thousand warm lights. Luxury cars lined the driveway; black-suited valets hurried to and fro as music from a live orchestra drifted from the ballroom — soft violins and a polished piano filling the air with elegance and wealth.

It was a night of triumph.

The Darlington Family, once a powerful Second-Class Family, had finally ascended to the coveted ranks of the First-Class Families of America. Their newly granted title had not only increased their influence but also turned the family into the latest sensation among the political and cultivation elite.

Inside the grand ballroom, everything sparkled. Glittering chandeliers hung like galaxies above, tables brimmed with rare wines and delicacies, and the most influential figures in the region mingled, laughed, and exchanged business cards.

At the heart of it all was Robert Darlington — tall, composed, wearing a perfectly fitted black suit. His sharp blue eyes reflected both confidence and a hint of exhaustion from the endless congratulations. Standing beside him was his sister, Rebecca Darlington — elegant, poised, dressed in a deep sapphire gown that complemented her hazel eyes. Her hair was pinned neatly, and she carried herself with the natural grace of someone used to the spotlight — though her gaze often wandered toward the tall glass windows, as if she sought something beyond the banquet’s glitter.

"Another toast?" Robert asked, smirking faintly as an older gentleman raised his glass in their direction.

Rebecca rolled her eyes softly. "If one more person congratulates you, I swear your ego might reach the ceiling."

Apparently, Robert was the main perpetrator for the promotion of the Darlington family which ultimately made him the new head of the family while his father had to retire.

Robert chuckled. "It’s not my ego they’re praising — it’s our family’s achievement. You should be smiling more, sister."

"I’ve smiled enough tonight to last a year," she said, sipping her champagne with a sigh. "You know I prefer the training halls to these charades."

Her brother gave her a knowing look. "Ever since the time you were appointed to be the host of the Culinary awards at Washington, you’ve suddenly been the odd one — the only Darlington who’d rather break bones than shake hands."

Before Rebecca could retort, a hush rippled subtly through the far end of the hall. A cluster of security personnel — all in sleek black suits — gathered near the main entrance, their earpieces buzzing faintly.

Rebecca frowned. "What’s going on?"

Robert turned slightly, spotting their chief of security rushing toward them, his expression tense despite the event’s grandeur.

"Sir, Miss Rebecca," the man began, bowing slightly, "we... have a situation."

Robert’s tone immediately cooled. "What kind of situation?"

"There’s a man at the front gate," the guard said, voice low but urgent. "He’s insisting on coming in. No invitation, no identification, no appointment."

Robert’s brows furrowed. "Then why haven’t you removed him?"

The guard hesitated, glancing nervously toward Rebecca before continuing. "We tried, sir... but none of the men could touch him. Every one of them was pushed back — without him even moving an inch."

A ripple of confusion and disbelief crossed Robert’s face. "What are you saying?"

"He’s... dangerous," the guard admitted, swallowing hard. "But he doesn’t seem hostile. He just said he needs to speak with someone."

Robert straightened, his voice lowering to a commanding calm. "And who, exactly, does he want to speak with?"

The guard looked at Rebecca. "He said the name was Rebecca Darlington and she is a friend of someone named Vivian."

Rebecca’s glass slipped slightly in her hand, the faintest tremor betraying her composure. The champagne rippled.

Robert caught the subtle change instantly. "Rebecca?"

Her heartbeat quickened as she suddenly remembered a name — and that name — replayed in her mind like a whisper from a life she hadn’t thought she’d revisit. She drew in a slow breath before asking quietly, "What’s his name?"

The guard hesitated again, clearly aware of the weight of his next words.

"He said his name is Hutton Maxwell."

The sound of it froze the world around her.

The orchestra continued to play, laughter and clinking glasses filled the air, but to Rebecca, it all faded — replaced by the pounding of her pulse in her ears.

"Hutton? Why do I feel like I have heard that name before?" Robert suddenly muttered with a contemplative look on his face.

But as for Rebecca, she remembered it instantly — last time she saw him, he was the quiet yet unyielding man who faced the entire family heads of Super and First Class families in combat. The one who, even surrounded by influential heirs and power-wielding nobles, had stood firm like a mountain. And lastly but the most important, the one who has saved both hers and Vivian’s life so many times.

The man she thought she’d never see again.

"Rebecca," Robert said sharply, bringing her back to the present. "Do you know this man?"

Her lips parted slightly, but no words came out. She forced herself to breathe before nodding faintly. "...Yes."

Robert frowned, clearly displeased. "Is he trouble?"

Rebecca met his gaze, her heartbeat still steadying. "No. He’s... someone important."

"Important enough to defy security?"

She didn’t answer. Instead, she turned toward the guard. "Where is he now?"

"At the front gate, ma’am. He refuses to leave until you hear him out."

Rebecca didn’t hesitate. "Open the gate."

Robert’s expression hardened instantly. "Rebecca—"

She raised a hand, cutting him off. "I’ll handle this, Robert. If he wanted to cause chaos, your men would already be on the floor. And besides, you supposed to be even greet him personally at the gate based on what he has done for this family."

The certainty in her voice left no room for argument. After a long pause, Robert sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Fine. But I’m sending security with you. No arguments."

Rebecca didn’t respond. Her mind was already elsewhere — on the man outside, standing in the cold night after disappearing for so long.

As she made her way toward the grand entrance, the lights from the chandeliers dimmed slightly, reflecting on the glossy marble as if the room itself sensed the approaching storm.

Outside, the night wind rustled the Darlington banners. Beyond the ornate iron gates stood a figure in a dark coat, tall and calm, his hands tucked in his pockets, his gaze unflinching despite the cluster of armed guards standing before him.

Hutton Maxwell.

’Well, I did saw this coming so I can’t really complain’ Hutton thought with a bitter smile on his face

The faint moonlight caught the edges of his coat and the calm gleam in his eyes. He didn’t move when the gates finally creaked open — he merely looked up.

And when Rebecca Darlington stepped into view, her heels clicking softly against the stone walkway. Seeing this, he smiled faintly — that same quiet, composed smile she remembered from years ago.

Her heart skipped again, this time harder.

The world around them blurred into silence.

"Long time no see" he greeted softly, his voice carrying that same deep, unhurried tone she hadn’t heard in years.

She froze for a second, her mind spinning. "It really is you..."

"Didn’t think I’d make such an entrance, did you?" he said with a faint smile.

Behind her, Robert who had decided on seeing this person at the entrance by himself studied the man closely, squinting as if trying to place the face. Then it hit him. His brows rose, a spark of realization flashing through his eyes.

"Wait a minute... you’re that Maxwell, aren’t you? The one who introduced us to Ling Fei and her family years back—helped us close that deal with the Ling Family?"

Hutton inclined his head slightly. "I see your memory’s still sharp, Robert."

Robert exhaled, the tension leaving his face, replaced with a half-grin. "Sharp enough not to forget someone who practically opened the Darlington family’s biggest door into the East."

The guards, seeing Robert’s change in demeanor, lowered their stance immediately. Rebecca smiled faintly, still recovering from the initial shock.

"I didn’t think I’d ever see you again," she said quietly. "Not after..."

Hutton raised a hand gently. "Yeah. A lot’s changed."

Robert gestured toward the entrance. "Well, you can’t just stand there, man. Come on in — though you’re walking straight into a madhouse. We’re celebrating tonight."

"I heard," Hutton said as he stepped forward, the light from the foyer brushing across his features. "Congratulations on the promotion, by the way. You earned it."

Robert chuckled. "You mean we earned it. Wouldn’t have made it this far without that deal Ling Fei gave us."

Rebecca, walking beside them now, glanced at Hutton. "And Ling Fei... how is she? Last I heard, she left the country again."

’Well, that was quick to find out’

Hutton’s thoughts worked as his expression shifted slightly — not sadness, but caution. "She’s... handling her end of things. The world’s gotten complicated for everyone lately."

As they entered, the music dimmed briefly, eyes naturally following the new arrival. Hutton didn’t need an introduction — his demeanor and his appearance alone drew quiet curiosity. He didn’t look like the average businessman or guest; there was a quiet strength and aura behind his posture, an unspoken authority.

Apparently, he has already mastered how he could suppress his aura before he even arrived at Eastridge city.

Robert led him toward one of the side halls, away from the crowd. "You always did have a talent for showing up at the strangest times," Robert remarked, half-joking. "But this one’s impressive, even for you."

Hutton smiled faintly. "Would’ve come under better circumstances if I could."

Rebecca turned slightly toward him. "So this isn’t a social visit?"

His silence said everything.

Robert sighed. "I should’ve guessed. You’ve got that look again — the same one you had when you nearly caved in on of my sis favorite car."

Hutton’s eyes flicked briefly toward the glittering ballroom beyond the corridor. "I think I should tell you guys now, you guys should double your security in the estate for the time being."

Rebecca frowned. "What do you mean?"

He looked at her, his light brown eyes calm but edged with warning. "Let’s just say... the ripples from what happened in Blinding Town are about to reach even this side of the country."

Her expression darkened slightly — she’d heard the news reports, the mysterious "incident" that destroyed half a town and the secret news that Hutton is now wanted by top figures.

"Hutton... you were there, weren’t you?" she whispered.

He didn’t deny it. "And I’ll tell you everything. But not here. Too many ears, too many cameras."

Robert exchanged a look with his sister, then nodded reluctantly. "Alright. Come on. We’ll talk in the private lounge."

As they walked deeper into the mansion, the noise of the banquet faded behind them. None of the guests noticed how the mood subtly changed — how the man walking beside the Darlington heirs carried a quiet storm within him.

And for the first time that night, Rebecca couldn’t shake the feeling that Hutton’s return wasn’t fate or coincidence... but a warning of something much, much bigger on the horizon.