Keith smiled and shook his head. "It''s alright. As long as I see your doing well. I''m at ease."


    She smiled in response and didn''t say anything more.


    Keith continued, "By the way, did you know that Hackett''s engagement banquet ising up soon! He even sent me an invitation because I''ve had previous coborations with Mr. yton."


    "Is that so? I didn''t know, Well, congrattions to him. I don''t really care." She feigned to be indifferent.


    Actually, Keith was doing this on purpose. He wanted to test Valeria''s attitude toward Hackett to see if he still had a chance.


    Just as Keith was about to speak, Valeria interrupted him, saying "Keith, I know what you mean, and I understand your feelings toward me. But it''s not possible between us anymore. I told you earlier, don''t waste your time on me. Sherri is more suitable for you. You two have a much longer history together. No matter what, you should choose her."


    Valeriapletely shut down any possibility for Keith to respond. She did not give Keith any chance to exin.


    Keith looked at her silently. He wanted to say something but hesitated. He could only watch quietly.


    He really didn''t want to give up, but Valeria wasn''t willing to give him any chance.


    "I have other things to attend to. I''ll leave now." Valeria smiled and nodded, then turned and left.


    As she walked away, Keith couldn''t help but ask, "You''d rather go on a blind date and marry a stranger you don''t know than


    choose me?".


    Even though Valeria would not be with Hackett, she still didn''t want to choose Keith. Keith didn''t know where he fell short.


    Valeria stopped in her tracks, turned back, and said, "Yes. I''ve already let it go. No matter what, we''re not suitable for each other. There''s no need to waste each other''s time."


    With that said, she left without looking back


    Keith wanted to ask her why, but he couldn''t see her anymore.


    He mmed his fist down hard on the nearby desk. His lips were pressed tightly together.


    Soon, it was the end of the month, the day of the engagement banquet arranged by yton.


    Hackett sat in his office with his long fingers tapping on the desk rhythmically. It seemed like he was waiting for something.


    On the side was the suit tailored by the designer for the engagement banquet


    There were still two hours left until the engagement banquet, but Hackett hadn''t even changed his clothes. By now, the Maddox family was probably already at the hotel, searching everywhere for him His other phone was


    turned off, and no one could reach him.


    He left this phone, patiently awaiting the DNA test results from Melvin.


    Suddenly, the phone rang.


    He nced at it and was slightly disappointed. It wasn''t Melvin, but Tyler.


    Hackett calmly answered the phone and put it on speaker.


    Mon, Nov


    "Mr. James, where are you? The Maddox family is going crazy looking for you. Mr. yton is in a rage, and he''s taking it out


    on me."


    "If that''s the case, then just bear with it," Hackett said, a hint of a smile ying on his lips,


    On the other end of the line, Tyler was almost frantic. "You''re still in the mood to tease me now. What are you nning to do? The banquet is about to start. If the DNA results show that Vileria isn''t the daughter the Maddox family lost, how will this end? You''re risking too much!" Tyler was really at his wit''s end, but his loss showed no signs of urgency. He was on pins and needles.


    "If that''s the case, I''ll go ahead with the engagement, Hackett replied.


    "But is there still time? Mr. yton might not look kindly upon you right now. He''s practically fuming. He''s not in a good. mood. Tyler urged.


    "I have my ns." Since Hackett had chosen to do this, he had already figured out how to exin things to yton.


    Tyler replied, "Alright, then I''ll continue holding the fort. By the way, doesn''t Elsie know about our n? Why does she seem so anxious with yton? It looks like she really doesn''t want this engagement banquet to be ruined."? N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.


    Hackett chuckled. "I don''t care about her feelings. I just need to achieve my goal."


    "Understood""


    At the same time, Tyler hung up the phone and looked at the anxious family behind him. He pretended to be clueless and


    innocent


    "What''s going on! Have you found Mr. James?" The Maddox family asked in a hostile tone.


    Tyler shook his head. "No, Iwan''t reach him on any of his three phones. I really don''t know where he could be. I escorted him back to his cest night."


    Elsie, who was beingforted in Rhonda''s arms, looked embarrassed. Rhonda said soothingly, "Elsie, don''t worry. Hackett won''t run away. He wouldn''t abandon someone as wonderful as you. There must be something urgent that he''s caught up in. Let''s wait a bit longer." yton shouted, "Could someone forget about their own engagement banquet? Mom, please don''t add to the chaos here. Go rest somewhere else!"


    yton looked at his daughter with a pained expression. "Elsie, Daddy will definitely find an exnation for you. If he backs out of the engagement today. I''ll make sure he regrets it!"


    Elsie remained silent. She leaned against her grandmother''s embrace.


    What was going on with Hackett? Why didn''t he show up! Could he really be considering canceling the engagement like


    this?


    Wouldn''t it be humiliating for herself? If word got out, people would say that Hackett looked down on her and ran away on the day of the engagement. Wouldn''t this damage her reputation for at least a year in the high society?


    Elsie felt that if Hackett did not handle today''s matter properly, she would beughed at by the entire socialite circle for at least a year.


    yton walked to Tyler. He had long seen through Hackett''s thoughts.


    Pulling Tyler to the side, he gritted his teeth and said in a low voice, "Don''t think I don''t know what you''re up to. Tell Mr. James that if he doesn''t show up, his aunt''s shares will never be returned. And he''ll have a new enemy in the business world, me. Also, I will withdraw my shares from James Group! I want him to experience what true regret feels like!"


    Tyler looked innocent: "Mr. Maddox, please calm down. I really don''t know where Mr. James is. I''ve been looking everywhere, too. It''s no use getting angry with me here. I''m innocent...


    "Get lost! Go and find him right now! yton roared,


    Tyler turned and left, not wanting to stay any longer. After all, his acting skills weren''t great, and he was afraid he might give. himself away.


    Meanwhile, at the CEO''s office of James Group.


    Hackett leaned back in his chair, waiting for Melvin''s call. Last night, Melvin personally called him, promising that the results would be ready before tonight. Suddenly. The phone rang in the quiet office. It was so piercing


    Hackett didn''t hesitate to answer, his expression serious. "Tell me the results!"


    On the other end of the line, Melvin said, "Mr. James, the DNA test results between Valeria and Ben show no biological rtionship. In other words, Valeria is not Ben''s daughter." Hackett''s dark eyes were filled with anticipation. "And what about the DNA results between Valeria and yton?"