At the same time, in Riverside city.
Clarence was standing in front of a French window and gazing at the panorama of the whole Riverside
city. There was no expression on his face.
He had been here for two days, but there was still no sign of Darnell.
Nathan came in, “Mr. Conrad, I just received news that Darnell will join a party at night. The invitation
card will be here soon.”
Clarence mumbled a vague response, “Is there any news from Vincent?”
Nathan shook his head. Ever since they arrived at Riverside city, they had lost contact with Vincent.
Nathan then said, “I have sent some men to look for him. I’m sure we will have some news soon.”
Clarence sounded uninterested, “You can stop looking.”
Everything that was happening now had revealed to him the actual problem.
Nathan nodded, “I will go ahead and prepare the suit you are going to wear tonight, Mr. Conrad.”
Clarence retrieved his gaze and fished out his phone only to discover that it was switched off at some
point.
Clarence turned on his phone again.
His brows were knitted together, and at this moment, Nathan came in anxiously, “Mr. Conrad, Maxwell
called just now and said that madam and Little Noah were abducted.”
Clarence’s face immediately lost all colour and his fingers strapped themselves around his phone,
“Who is behind this?”
“It is probably not Madam Conrad’s doing.” Nathan hesitated before continuing, “What’s more, Maxwell
told me that it was Donald who had diverted him. Besides that, Mr. James’ men had tried to stop them.”
Maxwell was never wary of Vincent’s men all along, and he only started to suspect something was
amiss after Stella’s disappearance.
Clarence pressed his frosty lips together and there was a chill that overcame his indifferent features.
After a while, his lips parted slightly only to speak these two words mechanically, “Vincent James.
Nathan probed, “Mr. Conrad, are we still attending the party tonight? Or should we return to City N as
soon as possible?”
“We will go.” Clarence put down his phone and his tone was devoid of any warmth, “If we didn’t go,
how would we know what is inside their heads.”
It was eight at night.
As the younger ones who were most beloved by Bancroft when he was still alive and kicking, Elaine
James’ birthday celebration was unprecedentedly bashful and eventful. Not only that most of the
socialites and elites of every industry were present, but even the media was also invited to report on
the scene at the entrance.
The entrance to the birthday bash resembled an official red carpet event.
The scene outside the hall was glittery and full of pompousness as camera lights continued to flicker
away.
Just when the journalists were busy clicking away, suddenly an unfamiliar figure who was never seen
before around here emerged from a dark Maybach.
A few onlookers murmured amongst themselves, “Who is this? Why have I never seen this man
before?”
“I don’t know, but from his looks, he must not be from Riverside city, right?”
“Hey, wait, isn’t he from the Conrad Group?”
“The Conrad Group? Do you mean that Conrad Group from City N? Why in the world would he be
here?”
“This is big news. The missus from the James family really did garner a lot of prestige. I can’t believe
that the president of the Conrad Group would come from City N just to attend her birthday bash.”
“Are you serious with what you just said? Miss James here is the princess of Riverside city after all,
and besides this president, all the other attendees of the birthday celebration have impressive
backgrounds too. Furthermore, what’s so great about the Conrad Group? James family possibly won’t
even entertain it.”
“My brother, you are way overstepping the line. Everyone knows that this current president has had
impressive power over the group ever since he overtook it. Not only in the nation, but he is also top-tier
even compared across the whole of Asia.”
“Hmph, that is because the James family is famous for being low-key. Did you forget about that
rumour? The James family can’t operate outside of City N, otherwise, there won’t be any grounds for
another party to compete over.”
“Excuse me, allow me to interrupt you guys, is the Mr. Conrad you are talking about that Mr. Conrad
who was the hot topic on social media when he confessed to someone while playing the guitar?”
The others all stopped talking and looked at the mysterious gentleman.
From his cold and indifferent demeanour, he didn’t resemble the man captured on the video no matter
how you look at it.
After entering the hall of the birthday bash, those reporters stopped their bantering.
Clarence turned to look at Nathan, and the latter took a little step back.
Nathan’s heart was racing at the moment as cold sweat formed on his head. He was only able to
receive news that Darnell James would appear at a party tonight, but he didn’t know that it was a
birthday celebration…
Putting aside that fact, the more conspicuous element here was that this was a lady’s party.
If rumor started to spread all the way back to City N after some extravagant reporting by the mass
media, it would certainly turn into a scandal with endless possibilities.
Clarence slowly began, “If I can meet Darnell here, I will choose to forget about this matter. However, if
I fail to see him…”
He didn’t finish his sentence, but Nathan could guess very well that he meant to say, “…You will be
dead meat.”
Nathan staggered backwards again to keep a safe distance.
Clarence retrieved his gaze and continued walking.
The decoration inside the wall was all dreamy and girlish. Pink was the main colour here, and there
were countless balloons everywhere as if this whole place was a dreamy castle.
Clarence could only walk a few steps before getting his way blocked by a girl wearing a white princess-
like dress. She stood in front of her and winked, “I heard that someone has come from City N. Are you
that rumoured person?”
Clarence tilted his body away in Nathan’s direction and jerked his chin, “It’s him.”
Nathan was speechless.
Elaine pouted and complained, “What? He’s not as good looking as you.”
“I agree with you on that, but I’m here to look for someone. Please make way.”
Elaine replied, “Who are you looking for? I know everyone here. I can help you.”
Clarence stared at her and after a moment of silence, he slowly enunciated, “Darnell.”
Elaine had an expression that indicated she was caught off guard. Her gaze hovered on Clarence a
little before she asked again, “Why are you looking for him? He’s not a good person.”
“I have business with him.”
Elaine seemed to think about something before extending her hand.
Clarence asked, “What?”
“Birthday gift. You’ve come to my birthday celebration, but did you prepare any present for me?”
Clarence answered lazily, “I have accompanied him here. You should ask him.”
Nathan was visibly speechless.
It was such a difficult life, the one that he had.
However, Nathan patted all over his body only to find nothing except for a phone and tissue paper.
Elaine pouted again and proceeded to remove the brooch on Clarence’s chest. She waved it at him
with a smile, “Then you should just give this to me.”
Clarence simply furrowed his brows, but he didn’t say anything else.
Elaine clutched the brooch in her palms and said again, “Aren’t you looking for someone? Follow me.”
Clarence eyed Nathan and the latter understood his signal. Nathan turned to walk to some other area.
While on the way, many people greetedElaine, “Elaine, happy birthday to you.”
Elaine was all smiles, “Thank you.”
Clarence followed from behind and asked calmly, “Who is Darnell to you?”
“Him? According to seniority in the family, I would have to call him my uncle.” As she said that, Elaine
suddenly snorted, “But that man is unscrupulous. He used to plan to marry me.”
Clarence had nothing to say to that.
Elaine continued, “But you don’t have to worry, I won’t marry him. I have decided long ago to fight
against this evil power persistently.”
Clarence didn’t get what she meant.
Elaine turned to look at him and said, “You are here from City N just to attend my birthday party.
Doesn’t that mean that you have feelings for me?”
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