"Anyone who can sit here has assets worth at least tens of millions. Rivercrest is a business hotspot, but if you want to meet someone who can actually help our family in Oceanport, you'll have to put in some serious effort."
The bespectacled guy nodded along, scanning the room with eager eyes, clearly sizing up who might be worth getting to know.
Connections are built at events like these—banquets, parties, all that stuff.
Honestly, the reason they came all the way from Oceanport was partly for the excitement, but mostly for future opportunities.
Bella Bai, on the other hand, was way more chill. She just tagged along to see what was up, with zero interest in networking.
"Let’s find a place to sit first."
Bella Bai picked a spot near the corner and pulled Evan Lin along to sit with her.
"We’ll go mingle and see if we can meet anyone interesting. We’ll be back soon."
The muscular guy was straightforward. He greeted Bella Bai, didn’t even glance at Evan Lin, and headed off.
"We’re gonna check out some hotties. Bella, you seriously don’t wanna come?"
One of the girls turned to look at Bella Bai.
"You guys go ahead. I’ll just hang out here."
Bella Bai shook her head.
"I’ll stick around and keep you company—just in case someone tries anything shady."
The cold, aloof young man sat directly across from Evan Lin. When he spoke, he stared Evan right in the face, making no effort to hide the contempt in his eyes.
Evan Lin poured himself a cup of tea and took a sip, totally unbothered.
The muscular guy, the bespectacled guy, and a few girls headed off in another direction. Spotting a group of local kids about their age, they went over to introduce themselves and see if they could make some connections.
"Careful what you say while you’re here."
Bella Bai glanced at Evan Lin and lowered her voice: "I’m not really familiar with the Markham or Zahn Families, so I don’t know what they’re like."
"Seriously, the stuff you said in the car earlier—don’t let anyone else overhear that."
Otherwise, if someone catches you saying the wrong thing, you might end up in real trouble.
Bella Bai warned him, genuinely worried Evan Lin might blurt out something about crashing the party.
If the Markham Family actually took offense, this kid next to her could be in for a world of hurt.
As Bella Bai spoke, she noticed Evan Lin sitting beside her, totally unfazed. She sighed quietly.
She figured he was just a bit clueless.
"Talking to him is pointless. He doesn’t even care what you’re saying."
The cold, aloof young man looked at Bella Bai. "Bella, no matter what, I hope after today you won’t have anything to do with this guy."
"You get it, right? Me, you, the bespectacled guy and the others—we all come from good families. The reason we can hang out together is partly because we can help each other, and partly because we know what everyone’s about."
"But this random kid who popped up out of nowhere—who knows what he’s really after?"
"For all we know, he’s just after your Bai family’s assets."
As he finished speaking, the guy shot Evan Lin a cold glare.
But he quickly realized that Evan Lin hadn’t even glanced his way—just straight-up ignored him without a second thought.
Not even a flicker of attention. That really got under his skin.
"The world isn’t as bad as you think."
Bella Bai shook her head. "Honestly, I think he’s a pretty decent guy."
After she finished speaking, Bella Bai glanced at Evan Lin and noticed he’d gotten a lot quieter since they entered the estate.
Since sitting down, he hadn’t argued with anyone—just sipped his tea and sat there, almost like he was waiting for something.
"No need to be so nervous. As long as you keep your mouth shut, nothing bad will happen."
Bella Bai tried to reassure him, thinking her earlier warning had scared Evan Lin.
"Besides, the Markham and Zahn Families probably aren’t as unreasonable as everyone says."
Bella Bai was just about to say something else.
The muscular guy, who’d wandered off earlier, suddenly ran over, grinning from ear to ear. "Haha, Bella, come here! Let me introduce you to someone new!"
He hustled over, leading the group like he was clearing a path.
Their conversation game was strong, and behind him was the group they’d just met.
The bespectacled guy and a few girls walked over with the newcomers.
Leading the pack was a guy decked out in designer brands, strutting with his nose in the air like he owned the place.
"Let me introduce you—this is my new friend, Zane Zhao. His grandpa used to be the Zahn Family’s chief steward, then went into business for himself. Now he controls about sixty percent of the Zahn Family’s distribution network."
The muscular guy stood there, making introductions.
"It used to be sixty percent, but now it’s closer to eighty. Plus, even Angel Epoch’s counters in Rivercrest malls have to go through us."
Zane Zhao looked smug as he spoke, taking his sweet time.
Honestly, he was laying it on pretty thick—most of that was just bragging. The Zhao clan still relied on the Zahn Family and Angel Epoch for business, but hey, you gotta learn to bluff if you want to survive in this crowd.
Besides, everyone here was from Oceanport, so they were outsiders. Even if he exaggerated, nobody would know any better.
The real game-changer was, if the Zahn Family hooked up with the Markham Family, the Zhao clan would ride that wave and level up big time.
While Zane Zhao was talking, his eyes landed on Bella Bai—and he instantly perked up.
Bella Bai was the type of girl who stunned you at first glance, and the more you looked, the more captivating she became.
"Yeah, yeah, Zane said he’d show us around Rivercrest sometime."
The bespectacled guy nodded, and when he saw Zane Zhao checking out Bella Bai, he quickly said, "This is Bella Bai, our friend."
"Zane, why don’t you sit over by Bella?"
He smiled at Zane Zhao.
Right now, Evan Lin was sitting to Bella Bai’s left, and the seat on her right was still empty.
Hearing this, Zane Zhao laughed, "Then I won’t be shy. Let’s all get to know each other."
He said this as he walked over to the table.
Bella Bai frowned a little—she wasn’t a fan of Zane Zhao’s slick, flashy style.
"Hey, bro, get up and let me through so I can sit down."
Standing right in front of Evan Lin, Zane Zhao suddenly spoke up.