The night of the banquet.
Socialites abounded, media swarming—the gathering was lavish and grandiose.
The young master of the Skylane Estate had attended in person, drawing countless camera flashes his way.
Beneath the magnesium lights, his expression was the same as ever; that distinctive gentle air exuded from him, and his white suit made him look even more ethereal and unattainable.
From the moment Alexander Skylane returned to the country, journalists had tried every possible way to secure an interview with him, but to no avail.
Tonight, after the banquet concluded, there would be a Q&A session. Every reporter was gearing up, eager to unearth some exclusive scoop.
Just then, four people entered from the doorway.
The previously lively banquet hall fell silent in an instant.
Everyone stared in shocked disbelief at the man leading the group.
As everyone knew, although Durrell Landon was an award-winning actor, except for essential interviews, he rarely appeared at public events. Tonight, everyone had assumed it would be Zeke Landon representing the family.
After a few minutes of stunned silence, the venue was filled with whispers: "The Landon Family sent Durrell Landon?"
He was also wearing a white suit tonight, but unlike Alexander Skylane's elegant detachment, Durrell had a touch of fierceness and wicked charm—like a blooming poppy in the midnight hour, dangerously enticing.
Oblivious to all the stares, Julian Haworth hardly cared; the only thing that piqued his curiosity was why Durrell had specifically chosen a white suit tonight. After seeing Alexander Skylane, the answer seemed clear.
"Knight Tamworth, do you get the feeling Durrell came here just to stir things up?"
Oliver Gale's lips curled into a faint, teasing smile: "Julian, don't doubt it. That's exactly what Durrell had in mind."
Julian Haworth: "..."
Quiana Sutton stood in the corner. To be honest, she was never interested in these sorts of parties, and if not for her promise to Alexander Skylane, she would never have come.
She had been quietly savoring fine wine when the hush crept over the crowd, instinctively glancing toward the epicenter of attention.
From the moment he entered the hall, Durrell Landon hadn't uttered a single word, yet all eyes were inexorably drawn to him.
With a playful smile, she looked across the crowd at Durrell, only to suddenly find his gaze meeting hers, a trace of amusement rippling in his eyes.
She hadn't told Durrell she would attend tonight, and she was standing off in a shadowy corner.
How could Durrell have spotted her so effortlessly?
Just then, her vision was interrupted—a figure in white glided over to Durrell, calling out in a tone tinged with intimacy:
"Durrell…"
At the sight of Evelyn Windsor appearing before him, Durrell's gently amused eyes turned stone cold.
He hadn't even spoken yet before those around them were already abuzz with excitement.
"It's Queen Evelyn!"
Since returning home, Evelyn hadn't given any interviews, and no one expected her to show up at the banquet. Apparently, all the most prominent heirs of the Capital City's noble families were present tonight.
Rumor had it years ago: the Landon Family and the Windsor Estate were to be united by marriage. But then Evelyn went abroad and nothing came of it. Now, could their old romance really be rekindling?
"Wow, a century's pair appears together—snap a photo, quick!"
Everyone wanted to secure not just the business headlines, but the entertainment headlines too.
Watching Evelyn Windsor approach Durrell, Quiana set her wine glass down; the jest in her eyes cooled into a subtle iciness.
So Durrell's gaze had not been meant for her, but for Evelyn Windsor.
Suddenly she felt her interest drain away, and turned to slip away from the scene.
Evelyn stood before Durrell, undisguised adoration in her eyes:
"Durrell, what a coincidence."
Durrell frowned slightly, glancing past Evelyn—only to find Quiana Sutton had somehow vanished, which stirred a wave of agitation in his heart. Even his gaze at Evelyn sharpened with a sliver of coldness:
"Tonight's banquet isn't just the Landon and Windsor families—let's not pretend it's destiny."
He glanced at Oliver Gale and the others beside him. "Are you implying that you're here by coincidence, just like them?"
Evelyn Windsor: "..."
Who wants to be coincidentally here with them?
Oliver Gale nearly lost his composure laughing, and before his reaction could give him away, he coughed lightly: "Well—you two chat. I just remembered something I need to do. Please excuse me."
Finishing his words, he slipped away with practiced ease.
Watching Evelyn trying so hard before Durrell, he found it much more interesting to go play with Cece instead.
And perhaps he could tease the young master Skylane while he was at it.
Seeing Oliver Gale leave, Durrell was about to seek out Quiana, but Evelyn grabbed hold of his arm.
"Wait!"
Tonight she was determined to say her piece, afraid if she delayed another day, she'd lose her chance forever.
"Durrell, I know I still owe you an explanation. It was wrong of me to leave without a word three years ago. But can you give me another chance?"
Durrell shook her hand off coldly: "Since you chose to leave me without a word, there's nothing left between us. Besides, I already have someone I love."
The words sent a collective gasp rippling through the surrounding crowd.
The media, in particular, looked as if they'd gone mad.
They regretted not having photos or videos—live streaming would have been gold right now.
#QueenEvelyn'sPublicConfessionRejected#
#EmperorDurrellAdmitsLoveIsForSomeoneElse#
They could already imagine: these two headlines dropping at once would top the trending charts in minutes—maybe seconds.
"Do you know who it is?"
"Who could know? Why don't you go ask?"
"Do I look like a fool to you? Who would dare walk into a mess like that?"
Besides, even if someone did uncover the truth, without the Landon Family's blessing, could they really dare publish it?
If you know the answer but can't leak it, isn't that even more torturous?
Evelyn looked at Durrell with utter disbelief, unable to accept that he could love anyone else.
"Durrell, you're lying to me, aren't you?"
In all the Capital City, no other debutante could get so close to Durrell—not within a meter, except for her. That was why she believed, even after she'd left without a word, that Durrell loved her and would forgive her.
Now, with Durrell declaring he loved someone else, she simply couldn't accept it.
"Durrell, you're lying, right? You're just trying to upset me, aren't you?"
Durrell gave her no answer, only a departing figure as cold as ice…
Julian Haworth glanced at the dazed Evelyn Windsor and spoke softly:
"Chloe, since you chose to leave without a word, you should have known this was possible, shouldn't you?"