Love Began with the First Meeting
Chapter 169 A Phone Call To The Heart (Part Four)

The continuous flashing lights made Molly a little nervous. Before the event, she had imagined something similar to Mr. Song's birthday party, the closest event her mind could relate. But as it turned out, the birthday party was only a private affair and entirely different. Tonight's party as she'd learned was a high profile charity event with international acclaim, taking the media by storm. Never in her wildest imagination had she thought she'd be thrown into global limelight in one night. At that, she became nervous. "Don't be afraid, OK?" Eric did not care about the media at all. He tidied the overcoat for Molly, calmly took her by the hand and led her onto the steps.

Perhaps because of the warmth of Eric's hand or his assuring words, which Molly had heard so many times lately, suddenly she regained her composure. She could almost hear Aunt Shirley's words: "Once you take the first step, you'll see how different everything becomes." And as she raised her head with new confidence, a spark ignited in her heart. She decided, she wasn't going to waste her moments of joy on pain or heartache from the past.

For security reasons, the whole hotel was booked, and all the rooms reserved for key guests who would take part in the concert. It was much quieter in the hotel than outside, where thousands of revelers and reporters flooded. A sea of humanity. In the hotel, besides the most representative media house in A City, only a few world famous media houses were allowed in.

"Strange?" asked Eric with a playful wink as they got into an elevator.

"You didn't tell me in advance there would be so many reporters here," Molly said, unimpressed.

"In consideration of the great influence of Wing, did I need to say that?" Eric asked her in reply.

When Molly curled her lips and mumbled, the elevator arrived at the venue on the top floor.

The elevator doors opened as soon as the chime came through. Molly was about to step out when Eric pulled her back.

"Ah!"

Unaccustomed to wearing high heels, let alone ten-centimeter stilettos, she lost balance when Eric held her back. She tipped over awkwardly. She'd have fallen, were it not for Eric's firm grip, swift action, and perfect balancing. She staggered for a second before collapsing into his strong arms.

Feeling slightly embarrassed, she blushed, pouted her lips, and asked, "Wasn't that intentional?"

"Absolutely not!" Eric explained hastily. "If we don't go out hand-in-hand, the media outside are certain to make up stories tomorrow. It might not matter for you, but would place my image on the line."

While they were still talking, the elevator doors closed again. Molly frowned. Eric pressed open and then clasped Molly's hand. As they walked, he added, "The people saw us together downstairs. If they see us get off the elevator apart, there is no doubt we will hit the headlines with it and you can expect to elicit spins and mixed emotions. Of course, if you are willing to take the risk, I will accompany you in spite of the damage!"

"You certainly did it on purpose!" It now dawned on Molly why Eric did that. Just as Brian told her yesterday Eric pretended to treat her well just because she was Brian's woman and he liked fighting with Brian for Brian's possessions. Within, Molly began to curse. But before she could think through it, she saw two people walk out of another elevator.

In a dark suit, Edgar looked official, rigorous as always. By his side was Jenifer in a rosy oblique shoulder fishtail dress. While Edgar looked elegant and still, Jenifer was enchanting and mysterious- a perfect couple.

Edgar only took a slight glance at Molly before turning to Eric, whom he greeted with a faint smile.

As arrogant and unruly as Eric was, he generally knew Edgar's background as the mayor. He also knew the relationship between Edgar and Little Molly, and the auction of the wasteland. He did have reservations for his evaluation of Edgar.

Both of them greeted each other seemingly warmly and then walked into the venue together. At the moment, Molly was walking by Eric's side, arm in arm with him, but her mind was far away. She seemed aloof and uninterested. She felt like someone had suddenly twisted her heart severely, drove a sword through and shredded it to pieces. It hurt so bad, although she didn't cry. And that only depressed her more.

Stealing a glance at Jenifer, who was graceful yet heroic, tender yet cool, Molly involuntarily held her handbag harder. She forced herself to stop looking at Jenifer and tried to forget her heartache and pain. She stole a glance at Edgar unintentionally and realized that he was avoiding her from beginning to end. At the moment, a sense of loss flooded through her heart, overwhelming her with anguish. But still, stoically she held her head high, refraining herself from tears and acting as though she was just fine.

There was a hubbub of voices in the banquet hall. People were busy toasting and talking with each other, with glasses of wine or champagne in their hands. Everybody wore a smile that was precisely suitable for social contact, neither too heavy nor too light. With a glass in his slender fingers and another hand in the trouser pocket, Brian just stood there. However, he looked like a king, to whom people wanted to get close but were afraid.

Some busybodies were trying to size up Brian, Wing, and Weston with their eyes secretly. After all, many people had seen Brian together with Wing at the dessert shop that day. They were surprised to replace that Brian was alone on such an occasion today. Tony entered the banquet hall ahead of Eric and others. He came to Brian and said in a low voice, "Mr. Brian Long, Aaron called just now to say he would donate ten million to Miss Long's charity!"

Still, Brian looked indifferent. Ten million was nothing for either him or Aaron. It was no more than an expression of his regard.

Thinking of that, Brian looked to the door unintentionally and saw the two couples who were just walking into the banquet hall. The little glimmer of light in his eyes went out immediately.

From where he stood, he had a panoramic view of the entire hall, but maybe people at the door could not see him. He, therefore, kept his eyes moving with Molly, his heart pounding, tension rising. He had to remind himself that he needed to keep his calm. Looking at the dress Molly was wearing, for a moment, Brian suddenly had an urge to tear her up.

Instead, he chose to remain indifferent. But his indifference couldn't extend to Eric. He despised him, hatred building up like steam and burnt its way out with a sneer.

Last year, Eric had given Becky a dress as her birthday gift, which was similar to the one Molly was wearing, except that the dress for Becky was wine red with a black belt.

At the moment, his cellphone began vibrating in his pocket. He pulled the phone out, recognized the caller ID at once and squinted.

By his side, Tony, taking a cue from Brian's mood, stole a furtive peep at the phone screen out of instinct. The name displayed was... Becky! ☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐