Chapter 94
Robin beamed with delight at Agnes’s compliments. “Do you really think I look young?”
457
Agnes playfully rolled her eyes. “I’m twenty–three, and you look like you’re only three or four years older than me. You can’t be over thirty, right? Getting married so young–what a shame!”
Her words made Robin even happier. “You really know how to sweet–talk me,” she said, her smile widening.
“Sweet–talk you? I’m just stating the truth,” Agnes replied with a mischievous grin.
Robin’s expression turned serious as she looked at Agnes. “Agnes, there’s something I’ve never told you before.”
“What is it?” Agnes asked, pretending to be clueless even though she had a good idea of what was coming.
Robin hesitated for a moment before saying, “Actually, I’m already forty–eight years old.”
Agnes’s eyes widened in mock disbelief, her face full of exaggerated surprises. “Oh, come on! You must be joking. If you’re forty–eight, then I must be living on Mars.”
“I’m not joking. I’m forty–eight, really,” Robin said earnestly.
“Seriously?” Agnes still looked skeptical.
“Seriously,” Robin confirmed, her gaze turning inquisitive. “I’m this old already… Would you still want to be friends with me?”
Agnes quickly wrapped her arms around Robin’s. “Of course! But you have to share your secret to looking so young. If I could look half as good as you when I reach your age, I’d be over the moon.”
Under Agnes’s relentless stream of sweet words, Robin’s mood soared.
Agnes smirked inwardly. ‘Winning people over? That’s my specialty. It’s almost too easy.”
She feigned disappointment. “I was thinking of setting you up with my brother so you could be my sister–in–law, but I guess that’s off the table now. Whoever ends up marrying you must be one lucky guy–you’re such a stunner.”
Robin chuckled at Agnes’s playful tone, gently tapping her nose. “Silly girl, do you think I’d be single at my age?”
Agnes pouted dramatically, her face full of feigned disappointment. “Oh, what a shame!”
Then, her eyes sparkled with curiosity as she asked, “So, how old is your child? Is it a boy or a girl?”
The smile on Robin’s face froze instantly. The deepest regret of her life was not being able to give the Campbell family an heir.
The thought of the person who caused her infertility made her eyes flash with hatred. ‘If my child had been born, they’d be in their twenties now. That wretched brat caused my miscarriage and stole my chance to be a mother forever.
“The Campbell family’s vast fortune should have included my son’s rightful share. But now, it’s all going to that wretched brat alone,’ Robin thought, seething.
Her face twisted with anger as these thoughts consumed her. Yet, aside from hatred, there was nothing she could do but watch helplessly as Giovani took control of the entire Campbell Group.
Robin came to Sancho this time not just to celebrate Lindsey’s birthday, but to find the shameless homewrecker who had
seduced her husband.
1/3
07:22 Sat, 26 Apr m S.
Chapter 94
99%
The memory of that night, when Robin accidentally saw a photo on her husband’s phone, made her jaw tighten and her teeth grind together in fury.
That photo was sent by Lindsey to her husband. Robin had always known Lindsey didn’t like her, but she never expected Lindsey to secretly pick out young women for her husband.
Her husband’s reply to Lindsey had fueled Robin’s anger. It read: [She’s great. As long as you’re happy, Mother, I have no objections.]
They weren’t divorced yet. Even if her husband had someone else, Robin wouldn’t agree to a divorce. She had worked hard to drive out his first wife and marry into this rich family. No one could push her out.
Agnes noticed the change in Robin’s expression and immediately realized she had said something wrong. She quickly shut her mouth and didn’t ask any more questions.
*****
The luxury van came to a smooth stop in front of the hotel, and Robin and Agnes stepped out gracefully, one after the other.
They had expected to draw admiring gazes and turn heads, but the reality was a slap in the face–people barely glanced their way before going back to their own business, showing no special interest.
Agnes’s smile froze for a split second, but she quickly masked her embarrassment, pretending as if nothing had happened.
Robin, however, couldn’t hide her displeasure. Back in Northeville, she was always the center of attention, basking in endless admiration for her noble status and striking beauty. But here in Sancho, that privilege seemed to have vanished into thin air.
She had no idea that Camila had made such a dazzling entrance earlier. It caused a stir and made her and Agnes look ordinary in comparison. That explained the lack of attention.
Taking a deep breath, Robin tried to calm herself. ‘This is just temporary,‘ she thought. ‘Once we’re inside the banquet hall, these bumpkins will be falling over themselves to curry favor when they realize who I am.‘
Agnes linked arms with Robin as they approached the hotel, but she suddenly stopped at the entrance.
A tall man in a black suit was being blocked by security. Bill looked troubled and said, “Mr. Connor, please don’t make this difficult for me. The Campbells‘ rules are strict–only invited guests can enter. Since you don’t have an invitation, I can’t let you in.”
Bill had already been warned after privately letting the Jacksons in earlier. If he dared to let William through this time, he might as well kiss his career in Sancho goodbye.
William’s face darkened, and he said coldly, “Tell me, what will it take for me to get inside?”
Bill forced a smile and said, “Mr. Connor, please don’t push me. I’m just following the rules.”
William exhaled sharply, his patience wearing thin. He’d seen this type before–talking in circles, but all they really wanted was money. He pulled out a check, quickly scribbled on it, and tossed it into Bill’s hands. “300 thousand dollars. Is that enough?”
Without waiting for a response, William started to move forward, but Bill blocked him again.
The banquet was about to begin, and William’s patience was running out. Gritting his teeth, he said slowly and deliberately, “Don’t push your luck.”
In his world, money could solve almost any problem. Yet this security guard seemed oblivious to the power of wealth.
Bill was growing angry too. ‘He’s a prominent figure, yet he couldn’t seem to understand plain words,‘ he thought.
2/3
07:22 Sat, 26 Apr S.
Chapter 94
* 99%
He had made it crystal clear–no invitation, no entry. The money was tempting, but he’d need to stay alive to spend it.
Having witnessed the ruthlessness of the Campbells, he had no doubt that taking the money would cost him dearly- perhaps even his hand.
With a stern expression, Bill said firmly. “I’m sorry, but without an invitation, you can’t enter
William had never been treated like this before, and his face was ashen with anger. He was determined to get inside today.
The Connor Group’s stock had been plummeting recently, and many partners had severed ties with them. This banquet was his chance to network and secure new collaborations.
If he could finalize the Eastville project with Giovani, it would be even better. This banquet was crucial to him, and he couldn’t afford any missteps. Yet no matter how much money he offered, the security guard refused, leaving him in an increasingly awkward position.
Just as the standoff reached its peak, a soft voice suddenly called out from behind him, “William.”
William froze, turning around to see Agnes stand behind him, arm–in–arm with a breathtakingly beautiful woman.
“Agnes, what are you doing here?” William asked.
