Chapter 119
"Miss Gray, hello. I'm Elowen Morgan from the Jennings Group. You're just as beautiful as the rumors say."
Elowen approached with a bright smile, her gaze lingering on Evelyn's face for a moment, the fine lines at the corners of her eyes smoothing out.
Hearing her name, Evelyn paused slightly.
The Jennings Group—wasn't that Zeal's company?
Before faking her death, she'd cut contact with Zeal and hadn't reached out in all these years.
After returning to the country, she'd heard some rumors about the Jennings Group.
Apparently, Zeal had taken over most of the business and was the definite heir.
She composed herself, wearing a polite smile, and clinked glasses with Elowen. "Ms. Morgan, hello."
Elowen discreetly studied Evelyn, her expression growing increasingly warm.
She never imagined the Gray Group's rumored heiress would look exactly like Evelyn, who'd died three years ago.
No—her presence and beauty were even more outstanding.
Elowen's eyes lit up. No one knew how delighted she was at this moment.
Her son Zeal still hadn't found a girlfriend.
She'd secretly had people investigate and learned that her son had carried a torch for Evelyn all along.
Ever since meeting Evelyn at a gala three years ago, his heart had been set on her.
Even though Evelyn had been Matthew's, he didn't want to give up.
Even after Evelyn's death, Zeal had never moved on, refusing to date anyone.
It had worried her sick as his mother.
Now that Zeal's career at the Jennings Group was thriving, she truly hoped her son could settle down soon.
This Adam looked so much like Evelyn—Zeal would definitely like her.
If they really got together, the Gray Group would become a powerful ally for the Jennings Group.
Thinking this, Elowen's gaze grew more fervent, her fingers tightening around her wine glass.
When Flora walked over, she saw Elowen warmly chatting with Evelyn, holding her hand.
Not wanting to apologize in front of others, she first made small talk. "How are you finding things? Are the arrangements on the yacht comfortable?"
"Very comfortable, thank you for your concern." Evelyn replied with a smile.
Elowen was perceptive. Seeing Flora arrive, she added Evelyn on WhatsApp and excused herself.
"Adam, I'm sorry. My granddaughter spoke too harshly earlier. I apologize." Flora took Evelyn's hand, her tone sincere.
"It's nothing. She's still young. I won't hold it against her." Evelyn smiled faintly.
Flora felt relieved and pulled Evelyn along to introduce the yacht's specialty foods, her tone carrying a hint of placation.
Evelyn responded appropriately, though her heart remained calm.
On the other side, in Willard's private room.
Matthew leaned back on the sofa, somewhat bored.
This collaboration with Willard was mainly about acquiring the Perkins Group.
Willard had deep experience in mergers and acquisitions at international consulting firms. After today's M&A meeting, he'd mentioned it was his grandmother's eightieth birthday and invited Matthew to come.
Matthew couldn't refuse, so he came.
"Matthew, you know what? An incredible woman came today." Willard held his wine glass, speaking enthusiastically.
Matthew didn't respond.
Now, except for news about Evelyn, nothing interested him.
Willard didn't mind and continued. "The Gray family's heiress they've hidden for twenty years, Adam, also came to my grandmother's birthday party."
"I just caught a glimpse from the window—she's a real knockout!"
"She'd hold her own even in the entertainment industry."
Matthew trusted Willard's judgment.
He was famously fond of beautiful women. Before marriage, he'd never dated anyone unattractive, and even his wife was strikingly beautiful.
But Matthew remained uninterested, changing the subject. "Have you looked into the Seymour family's collaboration with the Gray family?"
Willard shook his head. "That's been their older generation's partnership for many years. I don't really know much about it."
He was about to mention Adam's beauty again when someone knocked on the door.
"Who is it?" Willard asked.
"Willard, it's me. Grandma asked me to bring you wine." Briar's coy voice came from outside.
After the door opened, Willard introduced her to Matthew. "This is my sister. She just graduated a year ago. Actually, she's your alumna—your junior."
Matthew nodded faintly.
Briar walked in carrying two bottles of vintage wine. Seeing Matthew, two red patches quickly appeared on her face.
She lowered her head, her voice faltering. "Mr. Perkins... hello, I'm Briar."
Willard found it amusing.
He knew his sister had probably been captivated by Matthew.
Remembering that Matthew already had Sloane, he waved Briar away. "Just put the wine down. We'll handle it ourselves."
Briar glared at Willard, persisting. "Willard, Grandma said Mr. Perkins is an honored guest. Let me pour for you."
She picked up the bottle to pour into Matthew's glass.
Matthew stepped back slightly. "No need. I'll do it myself."
Briar bit her lip, her eyes immediately reddening.
She'd always been the center of attention. Few people had ever refused her.
Willard frowned. "That's enough. Go help Grandma with the birthday party."
"The Gray family's heiress is here today too. You'd do better to learn from her than waste time here."
"She was called a Wall Street rising star at such a young age. You have so much to learn from her."
Briar's eyebrows knit together immediately. "I won't learn from her! She got those projects by sucking up to people!"
Now even Matthew frowned.
Matthew had heard about the projects Adam was involved in.
Some even he found impressive. To say she got them by flattery was absurd.
"Stop talking nonsense and leave!" Willard said sharply.
Briar had been rebuffed repeatedly, tears threatening to spill.
She suddenly spotted Adam's figure on the deck and pointed as if catching her in something. "Look! And you say she doesn't butter people up? She's right there holding Ms. Morgan's hand from the Jennings Group!"
Impatience flashed across Matthew's face.
He glanced casually in the direction Briar pointed, toward the deck.
The deck lighting was soft, the sea breeze gentle.
A woman stood by the railing, her body angled toward the room, speaking with Elowen.
The light fell on her, outlining her silhouette softly yet clearly.
She tilted her head slightly, revealing a slender neckline, her lips curved in a faint smile.
Matthew's gaze landed on that profile, and his wine glass suddenly slipped from his hand.
The glass hit the carpet with a dull thud.
Wine spread out, staining a small patch of velvet red.
He didn't look down.
He just stared fixedly at the person on the deck, pupils contracting sharply, even forgetting to breathe.