Love Began with the First Meeting
Chapter 858 Extra Story 08 of Aaron The Big Banquet Plus Mol's Sweet Marriage Life

of QY Island. This was the most illustrious event to ever take place on the island.

Finally, after a long wait, the big banquet to celebrate the 60th birthday of Aldrich Leng, the reigning patriarch of the Leng Family, was held as scheduled. The banquet attracted more people and attention than any other event organized by the major politicians in the history Aaron stood in front of the window of his living room with a glass of the finest Cabernet Sauvignon in his hand, while gently swirling the red wine inside the glass to unlock its rich aroma.

The news about the big birthday banquet, which was to be held in the villa of the Leng Family later tonight, blared out on the television behind him. The joyful sound that was deliberately created at the moment came into the ears of Aaron, making him feel extremely uncomfortable, as if it set off his feelings of loneliness due to his abandoned and unacknowledged identity, as the bastard of Leng Family.

He felt a congested feeling in the chest and difficulty in breathing. Slowly raising his hand and taking a sip of the wine, he immediately felt that his tongue was strongly stimulated by the cold, spicy liquid.

Aaron heaved a deep breath. His bitter frown transformed itself into a sneer and then a contemptuous smirk, fuelled by his unwavering hatred and thirst for vengeance.

"The information about Ximena has been delivered to you," the robotic voice of XK's head of external affairs rang in his ears. "We've made a thorough investigation regarding to the specificity of your request.

Around six years ago, Ximena Mo used to spend a lot of time hanging out with James Leng, before he left her. We guessed that it might have had something to do with what had happened to the Leng Family back then. We've also made a detailed analysis for your reference which you may replace in your inbox."

Aaron turned around and put the glass on the table. Without wasting another minute, he turned off the television and stepped into the large walk-in wardrobe...

Surrounded by a collection of the finest tailored clothing in the city, he pulled out a white shirt and a black suit from the hanger and began to change. It seemed as though he was brooding, but was hiding it behind his usual, perfect poker face.

A few days ago, he had asked the XK Intelligence Agency to run an investigation on Ximena. Highly renowned for their efficiency, they managed to dig out everything that had happened to Ximena in the last ten years.

Just like all the common people of QY Island, she started out at the bottom and there was nothing extraordinary about her. Yet, a normal person such as her had the good fortune of... meeting an unusual person such as, James, the third young master of the Leng Family. The thought of it made the corner of his lips curve up, as he changed into his suit and walked out of the wardrobe. As soon as he came down to the second floor, he saw Ximena, who had just stepped out of her bedroom as well.

Three days of intensive etiquette training and a new dress had made Ximena take on an entirely new look, totally different from the simple Ximena he had met the other day outside the alley, and the poor Ximena who waited in the bedroom and abandoned her dignity and self-respect.

At that moment, she was noble, cold, gorgeous, just like a queen, waiting to make an inspection tour of her ruling land!

Aaron's eyes widened as soon as they fell on Ximena. Even he could not deny the fact that the woman in front of him was simply breathtaking. The black dress was clinging to every curve on her body, giving her an elegant and yet fierce look. Her ruby red lips and snow- white skin formed a strong contrast against her black dress which was clearly intentional and honed to perfection.

"Three days of studying seemed to be very effective." Aaron's voice was expressionless and Ximena could not tell whether he was being appreciative or sarcastic.

She didn't respond to his comment, however, and just looked back at him indifferently. She knew that her three days of training for the tonight's banquet but she wondered why he was taking her.

Walking gracefully to Aaron in a pair of black four-inch stiletto heels, Ximena said calmly," Your Highness, you honor me with your praise. What a rare moment! I thought you only saw me as goods, your property."

Aaron, looking at the seemingly proud and indifferent Ximena, slowly raised his finger-tips and pushed back the hair at her temples gently. "Has anyone ever said that... you look icy cold on the outside but with a burning flame on the inside?" When he noticed the cold expression on her face slowly begin to slip away, Aaron's eyes grew black, darker than an abyss. "To be truly cold and indifferent, first..." He leaned forward and whispered in her ear," You should learn to control your emotions at will."

Feeling his warm breath against her neck, she held her handbag tightly, gritted her teeth and said slowly," Your Highness, I shall be sure to remember your words."

"Good! Let's go," said Aaron, looking satisfied, as he turned to walk downstairs.

When Ken was driving Aaron and Ximena all the way to the villa of the Leng Family, he cast a stealthy glance at the back seat from the rear-view mirror. He saw Aaron's hands resting on his overlapping legs, looking out the window, while Ximena was peering down, her hands clenching her handbag tightly, showing her obvious nervousness.

Ken withdrew his glance quietly, his eyes growing darker and a disdainful sneer curled up in the corner of his lips.

Hundreds of reporters from various media outlets around the world swarmed outside the villa of the Leng Family like fruit flies. They clicked photos repeatedly as though they were having a seizure, and the flashing light of their cameras added a different scene to the big banquet.

Meanwhile, inside the villa, the atmosphere was vibrant with the constant sound of tinkling wine glasses and the buzzing of the crowds. Every well-dressed guest at the banquet was busy chatting away, swirling a glass of wine between their fingers and sporting a standard smile on their lips.

Ximena walked into the villa, arm in arm with Aaron. Immediately, she attracted a lot of attention, creating quite a stir among the reporters and guests alike.

Due to the high social status of the Leng Family, there were many big shots from the underworld, socialites, dignitaries and many members of the Congress present at the event. As a result, Aaron earned their recognition as soon as he appeared, but since they had never seen Ximena before, they became curious about her.

"The influence of the Leng Family really lives up to its reputation," one official said to the man next to him, looking at Aaron. "Even his highness has decided to grace us with his presence today."

"Exactly!" the man responded excitedly. "Only three people in the whole of QY Island have the power of beckoning his highness out of hiding." After a pause, he looked at Ximena, and asked curiously," Seriously, who is the woman next to his highness? How come I have never seen her before?"

"Me neither," the official said, shrugging his shoulders. "But if I had to guess, I'd say she just his dancing partner.

When have you ever seen the same woman stand next to his highness?"

"That's right,"

The man responded, winking his eyes cheekily.

Gossips of such calibre were spreading amongst the guests like wildfire, while Aaron and his partner were turning heads everywhere they went. All the while, Aaron ignored everyone.

"Your Highness, the master wants to talk to you in private." The housekeeper of the Leng Family walked forward and invited Aaron politely.

Aaron cast a short glance at him before he led Ximena out of the crowds' sight with the housekeeper's guidance.

From the moment she entered the villa until now, Ximena did not utter a single word. But no one knew how uncomfortable she was on the inside. For instance, the moment she left with Aaron, she sensed a sharp glare, burning her from the back, making her extremely uneasy. 'Perhaps it was from one of Aaron's secret admirers,' she wondered.

"Your Highness, this way, please." The housekeeper slightly bowed his head in front of a staircase and took Aaron and Ximena upstairs.

The low, muffled footsteps on the carpet-covered staircase came to the ears of Ximena. Without knowing whether it was because of an overly open environment or the weird atmosphere she was sensing now, she began to feel increasingly tense. ☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐