The two little ones were also overwhelmed by the sweetness and made playful sounds of disgust.
Seeing the synchronized actions of the three, Lance raised an eyebrow and gently said to Deanna, "It's fine, they're not outsiders, and they'll be leaving soon."
"Leaving?" Deanna was taken aback.
Lance nodded, holding her waist with a light smile, "The banquet downstairs is about to start. Grandpa wants to personally introduce Gregory and Chloe."
Almost as soon as he finished speaking, there was a knock on the door, followed by the respectful voice of a servant.
"Mr. Mercer, Missus, the banquet is about to begin. Old Mercer asked you to bring Master Gregory and Miss Chloe downstairs."
"Got it," Lance responded, then turned to Julia and said, "Julia, could you take Gregory and Chloe downstairs to the butler? Deanna and I will be down shortly."
Julia glanced mischievously at the two of them, nodding knowingly. "Sure, I'll take Gregory and Chloe down, but take it easy; today is your important day."
With that, she led the two little ones downstairs.
Deanna watched her leave, stunned for a few seconds before realizing what her friend meant, feeling both embarrassed and annoyed.
"Look at what you've made my friend think! Who knows how she'll tease me in the future!" She glared at Lance, both angry and amused.
Lance raised an eyebrow, leaned in with a gentle laugh, and said softly, "Actually, your friend didn't misunderstand..."
Feeling the man's breath getting closer, Deanna's cheeks turned red despite their many intimate moments.
"Don't mess around," she said, putting her hand between them to stop him.
But her strength was nothing compared to his.
In the light, their tall figures embraced tightly, kissing.
Fortunately, Lance didn't go too far and released Deanna after a while.
Deanna leaned against him, panting slightly, her eyes misty and alluring.
Seeing her like this, Lance's gaze darkened a bit more but he restrained himself.
Soon after, Deanna calmed down and stepped out of Lance's embrace.
She noticed the lipstick on his lips and said with some embarrassment, "I told you not to mess around. Look, you've smudged my makeup and got lipstick on your lips."
Hearing this, Lance instinctively touched his lips and saw the lipstick on his thumb. He coughed lightly in embarrassment. "You can't blame me; my fiancée is just too beautiful tonight."
His sweet words came effortlessly.
Deanna looked at the man in front of her, both exasperated and amused, but mostly happy.
"Smooth talker. I'm not going to argue with you. The banquet is about to start; I need to touch up my makeup."
She turned back to the dressing table to reapply her lipstick and powder.
Lance stood behind her, watching her apply makeup in the mirror with a gentle gaze.
A few minutes later, Deanna finished touching up her makeup and helped Lance wipe off the lipstick. Then they walked out of the room hand in hand.
They didn't go downstairs immediately but stood in the third-floor corridor, looking down at the banquet hall below.
The banquet was bustling with activity.
Top elites from various fields gathered in small groups to chat.
Deanna even saw many people she had only seen on TV before.
She watched curiously for a while, then looked for Gregory and Chloe but couldn't find them.
"Didn't you say the banquet was starting? Where are our family members?"
"It's about to start; they just need a bit more preparation," Lance said, holding Deanna's shoulder as they looked downstairs together.
As he said this, Logan walked onto the stage within minutes.
With Logan's appearance, the chatter among the guests quieted down significantly.
Logan stood at the center of the stage, tested the microphone, then greeted the guests below. "I believe everyone knows the purpose of tonight's banquet. On behalf of the entire Mercer family, I thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules to witness this moment for our two children."
He then stepped aside respectfully and looked towards the stage steps.
At that moment, a spotlight shone on the steps as Old Mercer walked up with Gregory and Chloe in hand.
As soon as they appeared, applause erupted from the audience.
"I heard about Lance having two kids while I was away. I thought it was just a rumor; turns out it's true."
"These kids look so much like Mr. Mercer. They're so impressive at such a young age; they'll be extraordinary when they grow up."
"Indeed. They don't seem nervous at all. Truly worthy of being part of the Mercer family."
The guests chatted among themselves, highly optimistic about the two little ones.
Although Deanna couldn't hear them, she felt proud watching her confident and well-behaved children on stage.