Durrell Landon's mood was a bit off. He had been daydreaming until Oliver Gale spoke, drawing him back to reality, and he slowly opened his mouth:
"That's not too strange."
Oliver Gale appeared interested: "Durrell, what do you think Alexander Skylane is doing in the country?"
Durrell Landon's tone remained unchanged: "I heard from my brother that Winston's parent company, Aisha Group, is opening a branch here. Since Alexander Skylane is Winston's chief designer, some tasks naturally require his personal attention."
Oliver Gale nodded; he had always been looking at Alexander Skylane's famous photo from back then.
The photo showed a woman by the seaside, her face obscured, but the ring she wore was visible, engraved with the letter "S".
He previously didn't know Quiana Sutton, and didn't think much of the photo, but now, after meeting her, he wondered if the woman in the photo was her.
Quiana Sutton's name starts with an "S", as does Alexander Skylane's.
Realizing this possibility, he suddenly felt uneasy.
He and Alexander Skylane were schoolmates. Back in school, Alexander was a big deal, pursued by many girls, his clean lifestyle untouched by their affections.
At the time, people even thought Alexander might like men.
Now, it seems it might not be that simple.
He cleared his throat to hide his awkward feeling and spoke: "Durrell, I heard from Knight Tamworth that Judd Auction House has some new goods up for auction today. Want to check it out?"
"Let's go."
Oliver Gale: "..."
He was just casually suggesting it.
*
Judd Auction House is part of the Foote Estate, and Charles Foote reserved the best seat for Durrell Landon.
He looked at Durrell Landon in surprise: "I thought you weren't interested in these kinds of events."
Durrell Landon felt an inexplicable agitation even he couldn't articulate: "Just out for a change of scene."
Julian Haworth looked at Durrell Landon in confusion: "Brother, who can upset you..."
Oliver Gale remarked with a hint of melancholy:
"Julian, besides me, who else lives in the Imperial View Manor?"
Julian understood now, feeling quite annoyed, but he'd been warned by Knight Tamworth to keep quiet about anything regarding Quiana Sutton.
Durrell Landon glanced at Oliver Gale indifferently, speaking in a cold, leisurely tone: "Oliver, yesterday, old Mr. Gale asked me when I will allow you back to the Gale family to take charge."
Oliver Gale immediately pleaded for mercy.
"Durrell, I'll keep quiet. Just don't let the old man take me back."
The Gale family's influence has some ties to the borders, which he had never liked, having distanced himself from them early on. Living at Imperial View Manor suited him just fine, at least it kept the old man from pressuring him to return.
At this moment, his eyes suddenly caught sight of two people nearby, and he couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth.
"Durrell, are those two Quiana Sutton and Alexander Skylane?"
Everyone followed Oliver Gale's gaze, their expressions diverse.
Alexander Skylane was not only Winston's chief designer but also the young master of the Skylane Estate.
The Skylane Estate practically monopolizes the global gemstone and jewelry market, with wealth enough to purchase a small country.
There were rumors of women trying to sneak into Alexander's bed, only to be mercilessly thrown out.
Yet here, such a proud man seemed to be ingratiatingly following Quiana Sutton.
They wondered if they were seeing things.
Alexander continued to stick close to Quiana, still sporting a smile:
"Qiana, I heard there's a gem called the Star of Mehai in today's auction. I broke your jade, so I must compensate you with one of the world's most unique gemstones."
Alexander's incessant chatter started to irritate Quiana Sutton, and she suddenly felt several intense gazes fixated on her, causing her to jolt her head up.
Through the layered beaded curtains of the top room, she could make out only the hazy silhouette but instantly recognized the person in the main seat as Durrell Landon.
All she could think was, "What a damn coincidence!" She had no idea she would keep running into Durrell everywhere she went.
Alexander Skylane followed her gaze but saw nothing, curiously asking:
"Qiana, what are you looking at?"
She turned her gaze back, replying nonchalantly:
"Nothing, let's find a private box to sit in."
After the two disappeared from sight, Julian Haworth was the first to speak: "Brother, I didn't see things, did I?"
Durrell Landon's face was cold and almost frightening: "You weren't mistaken; those two were indeed Quiana Sutton and Alexander Skylane."
His tightly pressed lips, tensed muscles, and sharp gaze all screamed of his current fury.
The room, which was already a bit hot earlier, suddenly seemed to drop a few degrees in temperature.
At this moment, Julian Haworth didn't even dare speak.
Seeing his own wife head to a private box with another man right in front of him, anyone would be furious.
His clean, elegant, and well-knuckled fingers tapped the table a few times as Durrell Landon dispelled all the unclear emotions in his eyes, suddenly speaking coldly: "Every box at the auction house is monitored, right?"
Charles Foote let out a surprised "ah," not immediately processing what Durrell had said. When he realized, he quickly retrieved a laptop.
As soon as they connected to the surveillance of Quiana Sutton's box, they saw Alexander Skylane slicing fruit for Quiana. Unable to hold back, Oliver Gale clicked his tongue:
"If Alexander Skylane's fans saw him using his noble hands, meant for sketching, to cut fruit for Quiana Sutton, do you think she'd get berated?"
Charles Foote watched the surveillance video: "I'm more surprised that Quiana Sutton knows Alexander Skylane."
Oliver Gale lightly pinched his index finger, seemingly ready to enjoy the show: "Didn't you all investigate Quiana Sutton's background?"
Charles Foote fell silent for a moment before responding: "No."
Back then, Quiana Sutton and Durrell Landon were only in a secret marriage, assumed to be just having fun, so they didn't conduct a background check.
Now they realize that might have been a mistake.
Durrell Landon remained silent throughout, his gaze fixed tightly on the surveillance video.
Sitting closest to Durrell, Julian Haworth shivered unexpectedly, seriously thinking about raising the temperature on the air conditioner.
Meanwhile.
Alexander Skylane served the sliced fruit to Quiana, who ate a few pieces without hesitation before asking:
"How long are you staying in the country this time?"
Alexander looked at her: "I'm not leaving for the time being."
Quiana: "Why?"
Alexander: "Aisha Group is opening a branch here. I volunteered to be the branch manager."
Quiana slightly frowned, looking at him with confusion: "Aren't you interested only in designing jewelry and not in managing business operations? Why the sudden change?"
Hearing this, Alexander turned his head to look at her.
She remained as indifferent as ever, her eyes hiding a cold detachment. He knew he could never get close to her, yet he still wanted to try, like a moth drawn to a flame.
He replied: "One day, I'll have to take over everything from the Skylane Estate. Being the branch manager here is just early practice."
She raised her eyebrows but said nothing more.