Lance noticed Deanna's small movements and knew she wasn't used to the place. He smiled and said, "If you're really uncomfortable, you can go downstairs and greet Old Wright. I'm sure he would understand."
"That makes sense."
Deanna nodded and was about to get up when her skirt accidentally brushed against a water glass on the table, spilling water on her skirt.
Seeing this, Lance immediately took out a handkerchief from his suit pocket and approached her, saying, "Let me help you wipe it."
Unexpectedly, as he got closer, Deanna stepped aside to avoid him.
"No need to trouble Mr. Mercer, I'll do it myself."
With that, she took a few tissues from the coffee table and squatted down to wipe the water stains on her skirt.
Lance stood still, staring at her actions, his brows furrowing slightly.
For some reason, he felt that Deanna was avoiding him.
But he thought he might be overthinking it since Deanna had no reason to avoid him, right?
Deanna was unaware of his thoughts.
After tidying up her skirt, she called Lance to go downstairs.
When they went down, they found Old Wright, but unexpectedly saw Raphael with the Howards, Garrett, and Mia, greeting Old Wright with utmost respect.
"Old Wright, this is Garrett Jones, the chairman of Jones Group and my father-in-law. He has always admired you and highly regards your management philosophy."
Raphael introduced Garrett to Old Wright.
Garrett was very accommodating, flattering Old Wright, "I've always hoped to meet you and learn from you about managing a company. I can't believe my dream has come true today."
Mia also chimed in with compliments.
"I've heard so much about Old Wright's achievements. It's an honor to finally meet you in person. You haven't lost any of your charm."
While speaking, she suddenly noticed Deanna standing in the crowd and her expression changed immediately.
Perhaps too surprised, she forgot it was Old Wright's birthday banquet and sharply said, "Deanna, what are you doing here?"
Almost as soon as she spoke, everyone else turned to look at Deanna.
Feeling the curious gazes around her, Deanna frowned slightly.
Before she could speak, Mia walked over aggressively in her high heels, "How did you sneak into Old Wright's birthday banquet? This is not a place for you."
"That's funny. If you can be here, why can't I?" Deanna retorted coldly.
Hearing this, Garrett's brows furrowed tightly, and his eyes showed obvious anger.
But since Old Wright was present, he didn't scold her.
Old Wright listened to the conversation and squinted his eyes. He turned to Garrett and asked, "So, you know Dr. Deanna?"
Garrett was visibly stunned by this question.
He could sense Old Wright's fondness for Deanna.
He turned his head and gave Deanna a deep look, confused about when this girl had met Old Wright.
But this was good news for him.
He could use Deanna's connection to get close to the Wright family.
Thinking of this, he suppressed his turbulent thoughts and said humbly, "I'm sorry for the misunderstanding, Old Wright. This is my daughter. She was raised outside and has a bit of a wild personality."
He said this intentionally to explain why Deanna had been rude to him and his wife earlier.
Old Wright seemed surprised. He looked at Garrett and then at Deanna a few steps away before saying "Oh," and nothing more.
Garrett couldn't quite figure out Old Wright's attitude.
Was Old Wright close to Deanna or not?
As he pondered this, Deanna's cold voice rang in his ears.
"Mr. Jones, don't claim kinship. I've been an orphan since childhood with no parents. I don't have a father like you!"
After saying this, Deanna ignored Garrett's increasingly dark expression and turned to Old Wright with a gentle tone, "Old Wright, I'm here to say goodbye. It's getting late, and my child is waiting for me at home. I need to go back."
"Why leave so soon? Stay a bit longer," Old Wright immediately tried to persuade her.
As for the Howard family and Garrett, he completely ignored them.
Old Hughes also came over upon hearing that Deanna was leaving and kindly tried to keep her, "Anna, stay a bit longer. I'll have Lance take you home later."
"No need for anyone else. I can arrange for a driver to take you," Old Wright added eagerly.
Everyone else was stunned by this scene.
"What's going on?"
"This is the first time I've seen Old Wright so close to someone who isn't family."
"So who is this woman? Why does she have Old Wright and Old Hughes's favor?"
Meanwhile, Raphael's family and Garrett and Mia felt even more uncomfortable watching the scene unfold.
These two old men were big shots who always commanded respect from others.
Just moments ago, they had been cold and indifferent towards them.
But now, these two big shots were full of enthusiasm for Deanna.
Why?