At tonight's banquet, nobody from the Landon Family showed up, but the Foote Estate, Haworth Family, and Windsor Family were all here.
Charles Foote, Julian Haworth, and Oliver Gale sat at the same table, like the rest of the people there just didn't belong with them; they formed a little world of their own.
Even though everyone present was outstanding, they had to admit, these three, except for that one from the Landon Family, were the most exceptional of the new generation.
No matter where they went, they were the center of attention.
It seemed, however, that the young master of the Haworth Family was not in a good mood.
Julian Haworth kept drinking glass after glass, and Oliver Gale, unable to keep watching, chuckled and said, "Who's the idiot who managed to piss off our Lord Julian?"
Julian Haworth shot back grumpily, "None of your business."
Oliver Gale clicked his tongue, "So you're really upset. Why not tell me about it? Maybe I'll knock some sense into whoever it is for you."
Julian Haworth glanced at Oliver Gale, who was obviously just there for the drama rather than to help at all.
There was a hint of mockery in his eyes: "It's Quiana Sutton. Go ahead, try and teach her a lesson."
Oliver Gale: "..."
This kid Julian really can't stand Quiana Sutton. Cece is obviously so cute, though. Oliver, genuinely curious, asked:
"Tell me, why do you dislike Quiana so much? With that grudge of yours, I almost thought she ditched you for Durrell."
Julian Haworth clearly wasn't interested in talking anymore: "Get lost—"
Oliver Gale: "..."
He muttered under his breath, "Back at the Imperial View Manor, Durrell told him to get lost because of Cece, now Julian's kicking him out because of her again... what did he ever do to deserve this?"
Julian Haworth overheard Oliver Gale's muttering, and his voice got suddenly louder:
"What did you just say?"
The sudden shout startled Oliver Gale, who looked back at Julian, displeased:
"Why so loud? I'm not deaf."
Julian Haworth grabbed Oliver Gale by the shoulder, forcing him to look straight into his eyes, which were cold and a little dark.
"What did you say just now? What happened at Imperial View Manor?"
Oliver Gale, seeing Julian looking like he was about to eat him alive, scrunched up his brows.
Unceremoniously, he said, "What could possibly happen at Imperial View Manor? The only special thing today is that Cece moved in, that's all."
Julian Haworth: "..."
He felt really suffocated. He'd spent the day mocking Quiana Sutton for never even stepping foot in Imperial View Manor, and now she actually moved in. His face stung as if it had been slapped.
He looked positively miserable, murmuring, "How could Durrell do this, how could he let that girl move in?"
Suddenly, a thought struck him, and he looked up, staring at Oliver Gale: "Does Durrell want her to be the lady of Imperial View Manor?"
Oliver Gale: "..."
This time, he was truly annoyed, his voice sounding a bit hoarse: "I'm not him, so how would I know? Besides, why do you care so much? I'm starting to wonder—do you have a crush on Durrell, or maybe on Quiana, since you're so invested in their relationship?"
With that, he patted Julian's shoulder and said seriously, "If you're into Durrell, both the Landon Family and Haworth Family will eat you alive. But if you're into Cece, chances are you'll die even worse—since you know what Durrell's like, he never lets anyone touch what's his. So, in summary: you've got no shot. You should just give up…"
Julian Haworth: "..."
Oliver Gale's words were downright infuriating, and Julian snapped, gritting his teeth, "Get out! I don't like either of them!!!"
Charles Foote stood nearby, quietly holding his wine glass. When he heard about Quiana moving into Imperial View Manor, he was a bit surprised. He knew Durrell would eventually let her move in, but hadn't expected it to happen so fast.
Ever since Evelyn Windsor had entered the room, her attention had been fixed on the three men. She'd forced herself not to ask about Durrell Landon, but after nearly two hours, she couldn't hold back anymore; she walked right over to them.
When Julian Haworth saw Evelyn Windsor coming their way, he swallowed whatever he'd been about to say.
Evelyn Windsor was a couple of years older than them, and Julian always called her Sister Chloe.
"Sister Chloe, congratulations on your Oscar win."
Evelyn Windsor's lips curved in a bittersweet smile. If Durrell were here to congratulate her, she'd be even happier.
She bit her lip, nervously asking, "Has Durrell been very busy lately? He doesn't take my calls."
Hearing this, Oliver Gale gave Evelyn Windsor a meaningful look: "Durrell was in a car accident a few days ago; he's still recovering now."
Evelyn Windsor was stunned for a moment, then anxiously asked, "Durrell got into a car accident? Is he at Riventon Hospital?"
Charles Foote shook his head, "No, he went back to Imperial View Manor. As for the cause of the accident, it's still under investigation."
At that, an unusual seriousness flashed in Charles Foote's eyes.
That road's control system had just been cut off, clearly the other party had come prepared.
No matter how much he investigated, he couldn't find out who'd hit Durrell.
The Landon Family always acts arrogantly and domineering, and plenty of people in Capital City can't stand them. But there's hardly anyone who'd dare actually target the Landon Family, much less pull it off so flawlessly. In this city, it should be impossible.
For the moment, it was a complete mystery.
After hearing about Durrell Landon's car accident, Evelyn Windsor couldn't help but worry. She said to Charles Foote, "Could you take me to Imperial View Manor to see Durrell?"
She knew that aside from Durrell's handful of close brothers, no one else was allowed in Imperial View Manor.
If anyone else showed up, they'd be kicked out.
Julian Haworth, fuming all night without a place to vent, seized the chance, speaking coldly: "You'd better not go to Imperial View Manor to get yourself upset."
Evelyn Windsor looked at Julian with confusion.
Oliver Gale jumped in to smooth things over: "What Julian means is that Durrell needs peace and quiet to recover. We should keep our distance for now and visit when he's back on his feet."
After he finished, seeing Julian still acting indifferent, he secretly gave him a hard kick under the table.
Julian Haworth jerked with pain, and sulkily agreed, "Yeah, that's what I meant."
Even though Evelyn Windsor was really worried about Durrell Landon, she had to admit Oliver Gale made sense.
Patients need rest, so it's best not to disturb him right now.
After Evelyn Windsor left, Charles Foote looked at Julian Haworth in surprise: "I always thought you didn't like Quiana because you thought Evelyn was the better match for Durrell."
Julian sneered. He disliked Quiana because, clearly rebellious and unruly, she always played the obedient girl in front of Durrell. Who'd believe she didn't have some kind of agenda?
As for Evelyn Windsor, she was supposedly from a literary family, and her temperament was always too mild; she constantly worried about what a proper lady should do, too many concerns, and really doesn't suit Durrell.
Plus, she went abroad back then without a word, didn't even say goodbye. It's obvious that, for Evelyn, her career comes first—Durrell Landon only ever comes second.
Of course, if a family alliance is needed, then Evelyn Windsor would be an excellent choice.