CHAPTER 698: CHAPTER 698: PRESIDENT HAWTHORNE’S DANCE

Julian Ford entered, dressed in a deep blue pinstripe suit. He was handsome and charming, the epitome of a stylish young gentleman.

He walked over with a glass of red wine in hand, and forcibly squeezed Evan Sawyer, who was daydreaming on the armrest of the sofa, off his spot, dominating his place.

"Move your filthy rump!" Evan elbowed Julian in resentment. "The Platinum Palace treats Cian like their own son, and you’re only finding it unfair now?"

Whenever Hawthorne Group holds a banquet, the rule of not booking the venue at The Platinum Palace seems like just a formality.

All three buildings are vacated for Hawthorne Group’s use without a second thought, making many go mad with jealousy.

"When the old man at home is upset, I’m really happy. Why would I feel unfair?" Julian suspected this guy was causing discord. "I think you’re the one not feeling balanced, no date tonight, feeling bad, huh?"

Hearing his shameless tone, Evan felt like strangling him.

Brothers indeed!

"Shut up! Or I’ll send out that photo of you passionately kissing a column when drunk!"

"Go ahead! You think teasing your daddy will scare me!"

The two completely forgot they had styled themselves specially, just standing there, attracting a bunch of young girls’ misplaced affections.

But who would have thought that once they opened their mouths, their handsomeness wouldn’t last three seconds.

"What’s all the noise." Suddenly, a low and cold voice interrupted their childish quarreling.

Immediately, a man dressed in a tailored black suit stepped out from the inner room. Every step from his long legs was steady and powerful, neither hurried nor slow.

His ink-black hair, usually hanging over his forehead, was meticulously styled up, making his narrow eyes resemble a cold ink pool, lavish with a chill and sharpness that few dared to meet directly.

Julian and Evan stared at him for a while before speaking, "I think we shouldn’t stand next to you later."

"Hmm?" Cyrus Hawthorne casually inserted a hand in his pocket, glancing at them with narrow eyes.

"...Anyone standing next to you would be reduced to a prop," Julian complained tiredly. "Evan might not want a girl, but I do."

Evan felt enraged, "Speak properly, don’t get into personal attacks!"

Cyrus Hawthorne: "..."

"Wait, the party has been going for over an hour, why hasn’t sister-in-law shown up?" Julian checked the time, "The next round is the lucky draw, could she have backed out at the last minute?"

"Mommy will come later, Kenny overheard her telling godmother she’s preparing a surprise for daddy," a cute voice sounded from behind Cyrus Hawthorne.

Kenny suddenly appeared, dressed in a white suit vest and small leather shoes, with his adorable face and big twinkling eyes making everyone itch with fondness.

At these words, Cyrus Hawthorne’s eyebrows lifted slightly, intrigue flashed in his narrow eyes.

Seeing Kenny, Evan couldn’t resist reaching out to him, "Seeing J.B. makes me want to settle down and start a family."

Fixing Kenny’s bowtie, Cyrus Hawthorne casually glanced over.

Evan’s outreached hand made a sharp turn and grabbed Julian’s arm, "...I just wanted to pinch, not steal, not steal!"

Just because he couldn’t resist holding Kenny last time, and nearly took him home, does that mean his brother needs to guard him like a thief!

Julian laughed, swatting Evan’s hand away and queried Kenny, "Kenny, what’s the surprise your mommy prepared?"

Is it scarier than the surprise Julian and Evan prepared??

Little Dumpling pouted slightly, "Godmother said not to tell anyone."

"J.B., that’s too distant..." Evan was about to convince him when Julian interrupted nearby.

"Exactly, too distant, can Evan’s Uncle Scott be considered a person?"

"...Julian Ford, you’re dead!"

Cyrus Hawthorne’s lips twitched, his brow jumping noticeably, tired of dealing with those two fools, he took Kenny, who was wedged between them, and headed to another room.

...

The lucky draw is known to be one of the most anticipated events of the year for Hawthorne Corp. employees.

Last year’s grand prize was a top-grade purple gradient sports car of which less than 100 were released worldwide, even the third prize was global shopping vouchers.

While this year’s grand prize remains unknown, the Boss is known for his generosity, inevitably fueling anticipation.

Furthermore, Hawthorne Corp’s method of drawing lots is always straightforward—first announcing the prize name, then the spotlight randomly sweeps across the ceiling, landing on the winner.

Hence internally, the winner is jokingly referred to as the "Chosen by Light."

Julian Ford stood on stage acting as the host, while Evan was at the light controller nearby, plotting something mysterious.

The draw soon reached the finale, and the most anticipated grand prize finally emerged.

"Who knows what this year’s grand prize will be, and who’s the lucky one to soar overnight?"

"Do I care about the prize itself? I care about catching President Hawthorne’s eye while receiving it!"

"So the rumors of the president and his wife getting back together were false? Clearly, opportunities still need to be seized by oneself!"

The audience buzzed with discussion, piqued by the preceding awards, eagerly awaiting the reveal.

On a wine-red Norvale sofa adjacent to the stage, a man of calm demeanor elegantly crossed long legs, his hands loosely resting on his knees, projecting a cold aura one would avoid approaching.

Various eyes filled with adoration or excitement flickered toward him, yet he remained unaffected.

"This year’s grand prize is somewhat unique, you’ll definitely not guess what it is!" Julian’s rapid-fire speech hinted at fear of interruption, "I announce, this year’s grand prize is—President Hawthorne’s dance!"

The man sitting on the sofa’s narrow eyes suddenly sharpened.

Julian’s words instantly stirred a frenzy among the crowd, cheerful shouts erupted, especially among the women.

"Did I hear wrong? Did I hear wrong??"

"Ah, I shouldn’t have washed my hands before coming tonight! Washed away my luck! I want to dance with President Hawthorne!!"

"Whoever gets chosen later, can you swap with me? I’ll trade my first prize for it!!"

"Wait! Men are present too, what if a guy is selected? Can we redraw??"

Amidst the ongoing discussions, as the lights dimmed around the venue, the spotlight scanned, then paused at a point under many watchful eyes!

Everyone’s gaze turned towards that direction!

And saw a man in a silver-white suit quietly standing there, with slightly disheveled black hair under those beautiful, almost enchanting eyes, mesmerizing all, and just two seconds’ glance had the women present feeling warm-faced.