CHAPTER 143: CHAPTER 143: MEMORIES PART (43)

"I feel she’s..." Ethan thought and couldn’t help but smile, "Very beautiful."

Abigail noticed the mesmerized smile on his face, "She has always been pretty."

Ethan pondered for a moment, "I’m just thinking if I should stop waiting for her."

He wanted to confess on her birthday but missed the chance. He kept looking for a suitable day to make it more formal, but then the issues with Florence’s foster parents’ house came up.

At this juncture, it wasn’t appropriate either.

However, he wasn’t in a rush. The girl was right under his nose, and he knew for sure that Florence wouldn’t be interested in anyone other than him.

He could wait for her to achieve her goals, or maybe wait until her next birthday, or perhaps the next time they went skiing.

Just a moment ago, he had an overwhelming urge to pull her into his arms and kiss her.

Abigail: "This is a matter between the two of you, I won’t interfere, you handle it yourselves."

On Saturday morning, Florence boarded a private plane to Southport City with Abigail.

The banquet started in the evening, and it was hosted by the influential Lushington Family of the Southport Clan.

The current head of the Lushington Family had just returned from his honeymoon with his wife and hosted this thank-you banquet.

At the time, Abigail only sent a gift but didn’t attend in person. The invitees for this banquet were selectively chosen, and each person attending held significant status or position.

At six o’clock, Florence arrived at the banquet hall with Abigail.

Soft, soothing music drifted through the hall, the scent of flowers filled the air, and the guests were the crème de la crème. The men were dressed in suits, and the women looked elegant and noble.

It was Florence’s first time at such an event, but she wasn’t nervous. Abigail took her to pay respects to the newlywed couple of the Lushington Family, a handsome man and a beautiful woman, who looked incredible together.

Mrs. Lushington hadn’t met Florence before. She was a few years older than Florence and glanced at her, smiling at Abigail, "When did Mrs. Harper have such a beautiful daughter?"

Abigail chuckled, "Not biological, but just like a daughter to me. Florence, this is Mrs. Lushington, Charlotte Langdon."

Florence smiled, "Mrs. Lushington."

"Hello, hello," Charlotte laughed, "I thought I missed when you had a daughter. Although she doesn’t look like you, her demeanor is remarkably similar to yours."

Florence glanced at Charlotte and then at Abigail as they chatted, and she stood by quietly listening.

Within a few minutes, more people gathered around, congratulating Charlotte, and soon they were engrossed in conversation.

Taking advantage of the moment, Abigail leaned over and whispered, "Feel free to walk around, just don’t wander too far. Come find me if you need anything."

Florence nodded, "I’ll go then."

Abigail nodded.

With a glass of juice in hand, Florence took barely a few steps when a gentleman in a suit appeared with a wine glass, "Hello."

Her path blocked, Florence looked up at him.

"May I ask you for a dance?"

Florence shook her head, "Sorry, I have other matters to attend to."

The gentleman looked disappointed, but Florence bypassed him and left.

She was approached several times on her way out of the banquet hall. Finally, she headed to the restroom to touch up her makeup.

Not daring to go too far or stay out too long, after fixing her makeup, she started heading back to the banquet hall.

Walking through the corridor, she brushed past someone, pausing as something seemed off.

She turned around and saw an elder leaning on a cane, his back bent. A file folder lay on the floor; he couldn’t bend down, so he tried to poke it with his cane, but it kept skidding forward with each poke.

Florence turned back, walked over, bent down, picked up the folder, and handed it to the elderly man.

The old man, his hair grayed and glasses upon his face, grinned as he received the folder, "I’ve been struggling here for nearly ten minutes, thank you, young lady."

"It’s nothing," Florence said, handing it over and turning to leave.

The old man called out to her, "Young lady?"

Florence turned back.

"Do you know where room number ten is? I was supposed to meet a friend but got delayed and couldn’t find it."

Florence had a vague recollection of seeing it on her way to the restroom. Noticing the old man’s lonely appearance, she approached him, "It should be over there, but I’m not sure. I can accompany you to check it out."

"Doesn’t that inconvenience you?"

"Not at all."

The entrances of the area had signage, and Florence hadn’t forgotten. Turning the corner of the corridor brought them to room number ten. A server stood at the door, which was ajar, revealing an elderly and a younger man inside.

As soon as they saw the elderly man, the old man inside snorted coldly, "You have the nerve to see me."

Florence felt the temperature in the modestly sized lounge drop to freezing.

The young man beside the old man in the room seemed about sixteen or seventeen, his head wrapped in thick bandages, his hands seemingly in casts.

"I’m sorry." The voice of the elderly man beside Florence sounded somewhat weary. As he entered, he spoke, "I came all the way from SJ to apologize specifically."

"Your grandson beat my grandson into this state and all you offer is an apology?" The old man’s face reddened with anger, "You Gardiners spoil a grandson beyond recognition but ours is our only one too. Did you know he’s been in the hospital for over half a month, Mark Gardiner? If it weren’t for our long-standing friendship, I would have served you with a lawyer’s letter breaking off relations long ago, Florence."

Florence felt it was inappropriate to stay longer. After the elder sat down, she placed the folder in front of him and whispered, "Since you’re here, I’ll take my leave."

Mark nodded, "Thank you, young lady, sorry you had to witness that."

Florence shook her head and swiftly exited.

She had a knack for reading situations; these two elders didn’t seem like ordinary folks. The elder she had assisted had a cane with intricate carvings. Though aged and physically limited, a powerful and dignified aura lay beneath his gentle demeanor.

Abigail had also mentioned that those invited to today’s banquet were significant figures from around the world.

Florence returned to the banquet hall without rushing to find Abigail. She grabbed another juice and noticed the second floor seemed much quieter than downstairs, so she headed up.

Upstairs seemed more like a place set for conversations. Fortunately, there weren’t many people around. Florence found a corner, sat down, and slowly sipped her drink.

The music changed piece after piece, and then her phone vibrated inside her small bag. It was a message from Abigail asking her whereabouts.

Florence replied that she was upstairs; shortly after, she saw Abigail coming up with a few people.

Florence went to meet them.

The lady beside Abigail examined her and remarked to Abigail, "Is this the young lady you just mentioned?"