Later, Samantha and Logan arrived at the banquet.
After another round of greetings, everyone seemed to be in high spirits except for Lance.
Samantha looked at the beautiful Bella and couldn't help but praise her, "Bella, you look stunning tonight. I noticed you as soon as I walked in."
"Samantha, you're too kind. You look lovely tonight as well."
Bella lowered her head shyly but couldn't help glancing at Lance from the corner of her eye, filled with anticipation.
Unfortunately, the man never gave her a glance.
Was she not pretty enough tonight?
Why wouldn't this man give her a single look?
At that moment, Bella felt an indescribable sense of defeat.
Kelly also noticed her daughter's change in mood and knew what was troubling her.
She gently patted her daughter's hand in silent comfort.
Then, she suddenly turned to Lance with a slight smile and said, "Speaking of which, I need to apologize to you on behalf of our Bella."
Hearing this, Lance frowned slightly.
The Mercers were also taken aback, not expecting Kelly to say such a thing.
Before they could respond, Kelly continued, "I know Bella did something foolish before and upset you. I hope you don't take it to heart. This girl has been spoiled by her father and me since she was young. If you're unhappy, just scold her a bit."
"Kelly is right. This child has been spoiled by us and only thinks about her own preferences. If you're still upset about what happened before, just criticize her. Kelly and I won't interfere," Jeffery added.
He knew the purpose of tonight's banquet was to fix the relationship between his daughter and Lance.
Faced with such sincere apologies from the elders, Lance frowned slightly.
Samantha, seeing her son remain silent for a while, couldn't help but speak up.
Although Bella's actions were wrong, she was the future daughter-in-law Samantha had her eyes on and couldn't let them drift apart.
"Lance, why aren't you saying anything? Are you still upset about that incident?"
Hearing this, Bella became tense and stared at Lance intently.
Lance noticed her gaze but chose to ignore it. He responded calmly, "I won't take that incident to heart. It was nothing serious."
Hearing this, not only did Bella relax, but the Cody family parents also breathed a sigh of relief.
Since there were other guests to attend to, they chatted a bit more before parting ways.
Bella followed her parents to greet familiar people.
Lance soon separated from his parents as well.
To be precise, Logan felt his son's presence was stealing his wife's attention, so he took her to the garden for a private moment.
As for company networking and socializing, he believed Lance could handle it well, which he indeed did.
Lance managed conversations with company executives effortlessly.
However, he quickly grew tired of such socializing and found a quiet corner to stay in, exuding an aura of wanting no interaction.
Gradually, the company executives got the hint and stopped disturbing him.
On the other side, after finishing socializing with her parents, Bella couldn't wait to leave.
"Dad, Mom, I'm going to find Lance. If you need me, just send someone to inform me." With that, she lifted her skirt and ran off.
Watching their daughter's hurried departure, the Cody couple shook their heads helplessly.
Jeffery sighed, "Our daughter has grown up and only has eyes for her beloved."
Kelly didn't say anything but agreed with him.
Bella stopped near Lance and adjusted her appearance. Once satisfied, she elegantly walked over with a wine glass in hand.
"Lance."
"Miss Cody, do you need something?" Lance asked calmly, barely frowning.
Bella didn't mind. She proposed a toast and said gracefully, "I just wanted to apologize for what I did before. I shouldn't have acted that way. I'm really sorry."
After speaking, she tilted her head back and drank all the wine in her glass, then smiled sweetly at Lance.
Unfortunately, Lance's expression remained indifferent, without a trace of emotion in his eyes.
"I don't drink. As for the past, let's leave it behind."
Although he said this, he had no feelings for Bella at all; but others didn't know this.
People around saw them standing together harmoniously and chatting pleasantly, leading to speculation.
"Judging by their interaction, is it true what they say about a business marriage?"
"I'm not sure either, but it seems likely. Otherwise, with Mr. Mercer's temperament, how could he let Miss Cody get close?"
"That makes sense. It looks like good news is on the horizon for them. I wonder when the Cody family and the Mercer family will announce it. Waiting for the announcement."
"If these two families really form a business marriage alliance, Cloudmere's landscape will change."