As Zayn watched Carla walk up to him from a distance emanating a savage aura, his eyes lit up as if he remembered something. He quickly turned to Benard and said, "Tell Brandy to destroy all evidence relating to my wedding from two years ago. Don't let anyone find a single trace of anything."
"Got it." Benard immediately got going.
Zayn was well aware that the woman before him was no longer the Carla Wigston he had known in the past.
With that fiery temper of hers now, she would go on an uncontrollable rampage to seek revenge on him and his family if she were to get her hands on any evidence.
"Mr. Giblo! a toast to you!" Just then, Mr. Rogana had come over with his wife, wanting to apologize. "My ignorant wife had said some foolish words. I'm really sorry about that."
"I'm sorry, Mr. Giblo. I'm terrible with words…"
The two ladies began apologizing to Zayn, holding up their wine glasses.
"If you're bad with words, then shut up, " Zayn replied coldly.
The two ladies blinked, their faces burning up in embarrassment.
Mr. Rogana and Mr. Lorenzo also exchanged awkward looks.
Zayn broke the silence by clinking glasses with them before walking away.
After he left, the two husbands turned to their wives. "If you say something without thinking again, I'll sew your mouth shut personally!"
"Everyone knows how big-mouthed you are. Nobody would take you for a mute even if you don't speak up."
…
Meanwhile, Carla had begun to network with the guests at the banquet. Despite the fact that she just had a nosebleed a few moments ago, she recovered quickly and was now conversing with the guests with ease.
Those around her began toasting with her and even had discussions about their future partnerships.
Zayn stared at her in silence from the side. He could not help but lament in his head how blind he was back then to not notice her aptitude for business.
Oh, how she has changed in the short span of two years…
"Zayn, come sit at the table. Let us have dinner!"
Lucas pulled Zayn over and called for the other guests to follow suit.
At the long, rectangular dining table, the male and female guests were seated on opposite sides facing each other.
Lucas sat down at the head of the table, with Zayn and Carla sitting on his sides.
After getting all the guests to settle down, Lucas began making a short speech and even gave an impromptu piano performance. Everyone began enjoying their meals which were elevated by the elegant music in the room.
Zayn caught sight of Carla sipping on her wine and said, "You should drink a little less if you're not feeling well."
"You should leave those words for your wife." Carla twirled her wine glass gracefully, curving her lips. "I'm not the type of woman to buy into those words."
"She's not my wife, " Zayn explained in a low voice.
"Hah!" Carla sneered and glared at him with a look of disdain. "Are you treating me like an idiot or something?"
Zayn felt stumped and gave up explaining for himself.
When Lucas's piano piece came to an end, he returned to his seat and held up his wine glass to toast to a smooth-sailing partnership and to welcome Carla to the project.
Carla stood up and raised her glass.
All heads at the table turned toward Zayn.
Under the scrutiny of so many people, Zayn had no choice but to stand and clink glasses with her.
Upon seeing that, the rest of the guests at the table all seemed to heave a sigh of relief.
Earlier on, they heard from Lucas that Carla and Zayn had resolved their conflicts and that Carla would be able to officially join the project once she obtains the authorization documents from the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Erihal.
From their knowledge, it would not be difficult for someone from the Lierger family to do so.
Hence, they were congratulating her in advance.
Moreover, given that Zayn did not openly express any displeasure toward her, it would mean that he had come to accept her as a business partner in some way.
And so, the atmosphere in the room finally livened up, and everyone seemed to be more relaxed.
It finally felt as if a banquet was being hosted.
After having a few drinks, Lucas plucked up his courage and invited Carla for a dance, to which she happily agreed.
The two of them danced a graceful waltz, accompanied by the romantic piece played on the piano. They looked like a match made in heaven, winning applause and words of praise from the guests.
As Zayn looked on, he could barely hide the bitterness on his face. He had not expected Lucas to persist with his advances despite his attempts to keep him away from Carla. It seems like I have underestimated my rival…
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