Supreme Mars novel Chapter 116

Leo paused upon hearing Irene’s question. Not only he was confused, but everyone present was stunned. How could Irene, who was always so gentle, say something like that?

Caroline was stupefied, her eyes darting blankly between Leo and Irene.

The two… knew each other?

Her expectant eyes fixed on Leo, Irene wished he could give a nod.

However, a flash of surprise crossed Leo’s face, and the next second, he rose to his feet. "Ms. Garcia, please control yourself."

"Well, I’m sorry. I was too excited."

Only then did Irene realize she was behaving improperly. She let go of Leo’s hand immediately and stepped back, blushing.

The men saw Leo getting up from the gold chair and heaved a sigh of relief. But they were also aware that they could no longer drive Leo away because anyone could tell Irene had special feelings for him.

Leo stared at Irene and said slowly, "Ms. Garcia, we’ve met twice at most. How can you ask me some question like that?"

Irene, however, got straight to the point, asking, "When’s the last time we met?"

"At Cleo Entertainment," Leo replied quietly. "I brushed past you that time."

Irene stared blankly at Leo and managed a smile, disappointment gleaming in her eyes. "So you remember."

"Of course I do. I have a good memory," Leo smiled. "Moreover, no man will forget someone so pretty like you, Ms. Garcia."

It was true that Leo was paying her a compliment, but Irene wasn’t happy at all, because she could feel a sense of distance in his tone.

"I’m sorry that I mistake you for someone else." Irene gave a smile at Leo and left the banquet hall like a sleepwalker. "Excuse me for a moment."

The atmosphere was totally weird after Irene left, and everyone stared at Leo in an odd way.

Judging from Irene’s attitude towards Leo and the conversation between them, it was hard to tell what their relationship was.

Caroline came back to her senses first, mixed emotions flashing across her face. Then she turned to Leo. "You’re lucky, but you still have to fuck off once Mr. Lawson and the owner of International Commerce Center come!"

Leo raised his brows. Just as he was about of speak, the door was open again.

But this time, the one coming in wasn’t Irene, but Peter and Benedict. Dressed in a suit, both of them were tall and straight. Everyone perked up and stood up in high spirits.

"Finally, you’re here, Benedict…" Caroline rushed up to Benedict and took his arm naturally. When they entered Riverside Club, Benedict asked her to go into the banquet hall on her own first, while he had to talk over business with Peter, and that was why Caroline had been alone. It hadn’t been that long, but she was already missing him.

"I thank all of you for attending my dinner party despite your busy schedules. I appreciate it." Peter looked around with a grin and turned to Benedict. "Now, I’d like to introduce an important guest to everybody, the owner of International Commerce Center, Mr. Benedict Hudson."

The crowd began to applaud hard, staring earnestly at Benedict.

It turned out this was the owner of International Commerce Center, who was in charge of many urban construction projects, and he was actually so young! Suddenly, everyone gazed in awe at him.

Benedict, nonetheless, wanted to remind Peter to add "ex" before his title, but since Peter called him this way deliberately, Benedict just accepted his kindness and said with a smile, "Well, I’ve been busy recently, so I didn’t have time to visit International Commerce Center. Since Peter throws this dinner party, then I hope you all will have a great time tonight."

"Of course."

"Thank you, Mr. Lawson and Mr. Hudson!"

The men present started to express their thanks.

Peter and Benedict exchanged glances and nodded at each other. Suddenly, they caught a glimpse of Leo, who was staring at them with a sneer, and turned pale.

"Why are you here, Leo? Who let you in?" Shocked and angry at the same time, Peter jumped back like a startled cat.

Just like when Caroline first saw Leo at the entrance of Riverside Club, Benedict was also wondering how Leo had got in even if he saw the lobby manager stop him.

Leo got amused. "Didn’t you invite me over here?"

"Whenever did I invite you?" Peter’s face darkened. "I invited the presidents of all corporations in International Commerce Center and its owner. Tell me, what are you?"

Caroline stared at Leo, gloating. She thought to herself, "Now that the host of the party kicks you out, I wonder how long you will stay here!"

"He’s the honored guest of Atlas Beauty. I don’t think you’ll mind it, will you, Mr. Lawson?" Hardly had Peter finished his words than Irene pushed the door open, walked in and stared calmly at Peter.

"Ms. Garcia?!"

Peter got embarrassed at the sight of Irene. Admittedly, she was Lydia’s most trusted subordinate in Atlas Beauty, as well as her mouthpiece.

Meanwhile, Benedict’s eyes lit up the moment he saw her. Then he shot a disgusted look at Caroline, who was no match for Irene in terms of appearance, temperament and figure. He thought to himself. It was not worthwhile to offend such a beauty for Leo. Thus, he cast a glance at Peter, who understood him immediately and let Leo off.

"Of course I won’t mind. It’s not like we don’t have enough food or wine for you."

Astonished, Carline threw a dissatisfied look at Benedict. "Why don’t you kick him out? He’s a real eyesore."

"Shut up!" Benedict snarled at once.

Somehow, he had lost all interest in Caroline after seeing Irene.

Shocked, Irene didn’t know what made Benedict so impatient to her all of a sudden, while he was kind to her a while ago. Then she said no more.

Mollie’s sharp eyes darted between Irene and Leo. Suddenly, she was aware of something and taunted, "I knew Ms. Garcia is the best PR lady of Atlas Beauty. It hasn’t been long, yet another man just threw himself at your feet."

Leo’s eyes glinted dangerously as he heard that, for Mollie was slandering not only Irene, but also him. If he was still a bachelor, he wouldn’t have minded it, but he was married now…

"So, you’re also the vice president of Atlas Beauty?" Leo asked in a cold voice.

Mollie failed to understand Leo’s question and replied proudly, "Exactly. I’m the vice president of Atlas Beauty, and I only take orders from the president!"

"Is that so?" Leo stayed cool and went on faintly, "Have you ever thought that one day, you’ll be demoted from vice president to junior employee?"

Irene was surprised to hear that. Mollie had no idea about Leo’s power, but she did, vaguely.

Last time, Irene went to Cleo Entertainment to collect the debt. Even though she ended up taking the credit, she knew very well that she had almost done nothing, and that someone had already got the money in advance before her.

And that person was Leo.

"Do you think you can do anything you want once you have Irene’s support?" Mollie squinted at Leo with a sneer and continued, "Both she and I are vice presidents, and we’re of the same rank. Don’t you dare to make me submit to you in the name of Irene!"

"Let’s go." Irene flashed an apologetic smile at Leo and walked to the corner of the banquet hall.

Meanwhile, Leo threw a meaningful look at Mollie. It turned out Atlas Beauty wasn’t so united as it appeared.

It was time for a purge.

Leo’s deep eyes sparkled with excitement as he thought so.

At this moment, a waiter came up to Peter and said respectfully, "Boss, the ballroom is ready. The guests can go there at any time."

"OK!" Peter laughed, "Since you all have had a few drinks, now it’s time for dancing. Gentlemen, please go to the ballroom."

Then Peter took the crowd to the ballroom after finishing his sentence.

The whole ballroom was furnished in rose good, decorated with fresh flowers and sheer chiffon. There were musicians playing the cello in the corner.

Peter came up to Mollie immediately and made a deep bow to her. "Ms. Simpson, can I dance with you?"

"Sure." Mollie accepted with pleasure and shot a smug look at Irene.

Listening to the beautiful music, Mollie and Peter came face to face with each other and began to dance elegantly.

Caroline looked with envy at them and realized something, hoping Benedict would come to her. However, she had waited for some time but still hadn’t got invited by him.

She looked up, only to find Benedict had already let go of her hand while staring at Irene earnestly and expectantly.

Suddenly, a sense of crisis hit Caroline. She grabbed Benedict’s hand and asked, "Benedict, I wonder if I can dance with you…"

"Get away." Benedict shook her hand off and said indifferently, "I don’t want to dance with you."

"What did you just say, Benedict?" Dumbfounded, Caroline found the truth hard to accept.

Under Caroline’s blank gaze, Benedict strode towards Irene, stretched out his hand to her gently, and smiled, "Ms. Garcia, I’ve been strongly attracted by your appearance and temperament since the first time I saw you. If you don’t mind, would you please dance with me?"

Benedict asked very confidently. He came from the Hudson family, a powerful family from City Sallton and Winham. Countless women were dying to dance with him, and Irene must think so too…

"I’m sorry, but I do mind."

However, the simple reply disillusioned him.

Irene cast a faint look at Benedict, as if she just saw a bag of garbage.

Suddenly, Benedict froze, staring at Irene in disbelief.

Irene, nevertheless, stepped elegantly towards Leo, who was sitting quietly in the corner alone, her white train sweeping the floor. She reached out her hand slowly and smiled gently. "Mr. Cohen, would you do me the honor of dancing with me?"