After finishing the six o'clock news flash, Clara took the phone from Evelyn Greene's hand and noticed a friend request on WeChat with a completely black avatar, accompanied by a note: 'Waiting for you outside the TV station'.
In the brief and concise words, Clara seemed to be able to imagine them being spoken from those thin lips.
It was Sebastian Astor.
With her slender fingers, she touched the approval, and that note flashed in her eyes along with the prompt 'Already friends, you can chat'.
"Clara, here's the first draft of tomorrow's news. I just got it from the editing department." Evelyn Greene suddenly spoke, interrupting her thoughts.
Clara snapped back, turned off the phone screen, put the information into her bag, and spoke lightly, "Thanks for the hard work."
The evening wind dispersed the lingering heat, and the orange sunset tinted half the sky, transitioning to the city's brightening lights, splendid and bustling.
Walking out of the TV station's gate from afar, Clara saw a remarkably eye-catching low-profile luxury gray Bentley parked by the roadside. Through the lowered car window, that distinctively stern face caught her eye.
Amidst the gazes of many curious onlookers, she walked over gracefully.
Hearing the 'tap tap' of high heels, Sebastian Astor turned his head, two deep and restrained glances met in the air, Clara calmly opened the passenger door, bent down to sit inside, and fastened her seatbelt.
Sebastian withdrew his gaze, started the car, and drove away from the TV station.
In the car, there was a silence.
"How did you find out my phone and WeChat information?" After a moment, Clara broke the silence.
"As long as I want to know, I can find out at any time." Sebastian glanced at her indifferently.
"Where are we going now?"
Clara didn't dwell on it, looking out the car window, she realized this road was in the opposite direction of Astor Manor.
"There's a project banquet for Cloud Group tonight. You should show up as Mrs. Astor." His words were casual, with an unhurried tone.
"Do I need to change clothes?"
Clara pondered for a moment. Although she didn't like such occasions, she didn't reject them either, considering that due to the wedding without a groom, she was currently the biggest joke in the Imperial Capital, being a topic for many noble families.
Taking this opportunity to appear in public with Sebastian was indeed a good chance.
First, it could silence those who mocked her, and second, it could solidify her status as the Crown Princess Consort of the Astor family.
She never liked troubles; if something could be solved in one step, there was no need to waste time and effort.
Sebastian's gaze swept over her: "No need, it's just a simple business banquet, formal attire is fine,"
The car finally stopped outside Zhongcui Hotel, the hotel concierge came forward to open the car door.
A pair of silver high-heeled shoes and shiny black leather shoes fell simultaneously on the red carpet. As Sebastian walked to her side, Clara naturally linked her arm with his, and under the flashlights of many media, they walked into the venue together.
The two figures on the red carpet were dignified and calm, cold and steady, making them exceptionally strikingly compatible.
This was the first time the two appeared together after marriage. The Astor family's Crown Prince was always low-key and avoided the spotlight, rarely giving them a chance for candid shots.
Many reporters naturally didn't want to miss such a great opportunity for reportable content, snapping away recklessly as flashlights continuously crisscrossed their faces.
Inside the venue, many people from the circle politely came to greet them. Under Sebastian's cold and composed facade, he handled it with ease, introducing Clara when necessary, while his hand wrapped around her waist, as if half-encircling her.
With an absolutely protective and dominant stance.
Clara slightly raised her eyes, looking at the radiant and elegantly aloof man beside her, her red lips gently pressed together.
It seemed she understood his intent.
He was proclaiming to everyone that even if he didn't attend that grand wedding, Clara was still recognized as his wife by Sebastian Astor.
No one could question or deny the identity of Mrs. Astor.
At seven o'clock, the banquet officially commenced.
As the leader of Cloud Group, naturally, some customary speeches had to be made on stage.
"Hi, sister-in-law, we meet again."
Suddenly, Clara's cold gaze was obstructed by a charming figure in a casual dark plaid suit. A playful and teasing voice slipped past the man's deep and rich voice on stage into her ear.
Clara looked at the handsome man with alluring peach blossom eyes before her, his unruly exterior exuded apparent nobility.
This man, she had met him once on her wedding day.
Sebastian's brother, from one of the four major families in the Imperial Capital, the leader in the automotive industry, the third master of the Jones Family—Hilary Jones.
Beside him stood another handsome and elegant man, his tailored white suit showcasing graceful poise, with extraordinary demeanor and looks that stood out as extraordinary, attracting admiring glances from many socialites.
Clara felt somewhat unfamiliar with him and didn't recognize him, so she nodded slightly to Hilary Jones to indicate: "Hello, Mr. Jones."
"No need to be so formal, sister-in-law, just call me by my name." Hilary Jones smiled indulgently, taking two glasses of champagne from a passing waiter's tray and handing one to her: "Sister-in-law, let me introduce you, this is Hiram Seaton, also a close friend who grew up with Sebastian and me."
"Hello, nice to meet you." Hiram Seaton warmly smiled and extended his hand to her.
"Hello, so you are Young Master Seaton, I've heard so much about you."
Clara suddenly understood, smiling lightly and shook his hand briefly, with her peripheral vision inadvertently scanning the man expertly navigating the stage.
He was outstanding, even his friends were top figures in high society.
The four major families in the Imperial Capital, apart from the leading Astor Family, were followed by the Jones Family and the Seaton Family, along with the Taylor family, the giant in the liquor industry. HQ Pharmaceutical Group of the Seaton Family was renowned across Asia, and the reputation of Young Master Seaton had already surpassed that of the current leader of the Seaton Family, Hiram Seaton.
Displaying an extraordinary talent for medicine from a young age, he left people in awe. Currently serving as the youngest professor of cardiothoracic surgery at Divine Hospital, his abilities were outstanding.
"You're too kind, sister-in-law." Hiram Seaton smiled humbly and courteously, displaying an elegant gentlemanly demeanor in his every move.
"Sister-in-law, you are indeed our Sebastian's Lucky Star. I heard that on the wedding day, Sebastian woke up." Hilary Jones laughed and clinked glasses with her, with an appreciation and admiration in his eyes.
"I don't deserve such a title, it was just a coincidence."
Clara spoke in a mild tone, and in her peripheral vision, that striking figure stepped down from the stage, Clara's eyes followed him intently, lowering her gaze slightly, with hidden emotions.
The faint purple aura around him, though still weak, seemed slightly stronger than when she first saw him that night.
"What's wrong?"
The man walked to her side, noticing her slightly vacant eyes, and asked in a low voice.
Clara returned to her senses, meeting the obscured black pupil of his eyes, and gently shook her head: "Nothing."
"Sebastian, your charm is so great, sister-in-law was mesmerized." Hilary Jones couldn't help but joke, watching the lingering gaze between the two.