Chapter 33

Jeremy turned, shooting Dewitt a frosty look.

Dewitt responded with a sheepish chuckle, the mischief in his eyes hard to miss. "What? Did I cross a line?

You're really going to pretend there's nothing between you and Kayla?"

Jeremy's voice dropped into a warning chill. "Say another word-you'll regret it."

Dewitt stifled a laugh behind his hand, his shoulders shaking slightly. "Fine, I'll drop it. But with Kayla now on

Archie's team, and you two teaming up so often these days, I'd say there's a good chance you'll be running

into her a lot more."

Jeremy gave no reaction, not a word.

Intrigued,Dewitt leaned closer. "You seriously feel nothing for her?"

Jeremy silently traced the rim of his wine glass, then slipped off the ring from his finger.

The second Dewitt saw it, he spun on his heel and bolted.

After all these years with Jeremy, he'd come to recognize the warning signs. When Jeremy made that move,

it mean he was about to strike. If he didn't make himself scarce fast, he'd be neck-deep in trouble.

Jeremy slid the ring back onto his finger.

Edwin stepped in and spoke. "Mr. Graham,Mr. Campbell just arrived."

"Mm." Jeremy's eyes flicked toward Kayla, who stood at Archie's side.

She appeared completely at ease, slipping into conversation with the surrounding business elites as if she'd belonged in their circle all along-composed, confident, and utterly unshaken.

By the entrance, Liam appeared.

Trailing behind was Tricia, his secretary, wearing a champagne-colored gown and painted with flawless makeup.

Liam's eyes scanned the room and landed on Jeremy, who was hard to miss.

Despite the reluctance, he had little choice-his position demanded he offer a greeting.

"Uncle Jeremy,"he said.

Jeremy gave a cursory glance, his attention sliding briefly to Tricia. He asked flatly, "Didn't bring your wife?"

The question hit like a slap. Liam stiffened. "Kayla's tied up with work, so I came on my own."

Jeremy's expression didn't changed. If anything, his tone turned even colder. "Whatever you do is your business, but don't drag the Graham name through the mud. You're married. Don't give anyone a reason to start talking."

Liam flushed with discomfort. "Thanks for the warning, Uncle. I'll keep it in mind."

Jeremy turned, ready to walk away, but Liam held him back.

Casting a quick glance around, Liam lowered his voice. "Uncle Jeremy, since we're both here1I was hoping to ask a small favor."

Jeremy's tone stayed level. "What kind of favor?"

"I heard Mr. Campbell is looking to work with domestic firms on a shopping mall venture.Perennia Group is pursuing a similar direction. Since you're close with him, maybe you could introduce us?"

The moment Liam finished his sentence, even Edwin shot him a look of contempt.

Perennia Group-a modest firm at best-actually had the audacity to chase a partnership with the esteemed Campbell Group, a titan that stood toe-to-toe with North Investment?

Liam clearly didn't grasp the weight of his own limitations.

Jeremy's sharp face relaxed into a faint smirk, laced with ridicule. "Perennia Group barely clawed its way out of a financial mess, and now you think you're ready to take on a Campbell Group development?"

Liam didn't blink. "Uncle Jeremy, people need to aim forward. Yes, Perennia had a rough patch, but that doesn't mean we've stopped growing. Don't you think?"

Jeremy's tone remained casual, yet every word hit with precision. "A bit of advice-before chasing new deals, settle your debt with Newton Group and reclaim Cooper Group. It's still tied up as collateral, isn't it? If Mr. Campbell finds out your whole company's foundation is your wife's legacy, do you really think he'll entertain a partnership?"

In a single, cutting remark, Jeremy shattered any hope Liam had left.

A feeling of discomfort flared in Liam's chest. He was family, wásn't he? Why was Jeremy so unwilling to lend a hand?

He withdrew to the lounge area with Tricia following close behind.

"What now, Mr. Graham?" she asked, lowering her voice. "We went through a lot just to get invited. We can't walk away with nothing."

Liam snapped, frustrated, "Be quiet. If I want something, I'll find a way to get it."

Tricia gestured across the room. "Mr. Campbell is over there."

Zane was approaching Kayla, his wife and child beside him.

"Why is Kayla here?" Liam muttered in surprise, his thoughts flashing to that unique ring he'd once seen on her finger-the one that had belonged to Zane. Kayla appeared to share a close rapport with Zane.

Tricia slid her arm through his, voice sweet. "Why don't we go say hello together?"

"Stay here. I'll go alone." He shrugged her off and walked toward Kayla alone.

Tricia didn't want to accept it, but all she could do was stand by and watch him walk over to Kayla.

"Kayla, it's been a while. You look amazing tonight." Zane and Kelley were just then arriving to greet Kayla.

Kayla crouched to ruffle the boy's hair, her voice gentle. "Thank you. That's very kind of you."

"Here you are! I've been searching everywhere for you." Liam appeared out of nowhere, slipping an arm around Kayla's waist and pulling her firmly against him.

Startled, Kayla stiffened, then tried to shove him off.

But Liam only tightened his hold, determined not to let her slip away.

Zane and Kelley exchanged a glance before turning to Kayla with amused curiosity."Kayla, may we ask who this gentleman is?"

Liam spoke with quiet confidence as he tucked a loose strand of Kayla's hair behind her ear."Hello,I'm Liam Graham-Kayla's husband and the CEO of Perennia Group."

"If you're her husband, then you're a friend of ours." The Campbells immediately warmed up to him.

Kayla stomped her heel down on his leather shoe, leaning in and whispering, "Liam, what the hell are you doing?"