Chapter 117
As soon as Charlotte appeared with Landon and Philip, they immediately attracted a wave of admiring gazes.
Charlotte wore her usual light makeup, but today her hair was swept fully up, and the effect was striking. She's elegant and beautiful as a swan..
The deep blue mermaid-style gown perfectly accentuated her graceful curves.
Every inch of her exposed skin was so fair and translucent, like glowing white jade.
In everyone's eyes, she was a beautiful and charming young woman, not at all like the mother of a five-year-old child.
As for the two people standing beside her, they equally attracted everyone's attention.
The man was tall and handsome, with cold, sharp features, his whole presence noble yet distant.
The diagonal striped blue tie inside his suit was like the finishing touch, perfectly matching the woman's deep blue gown.
Standing together, they looked like they were wearing matching couple outfits.
The little boy standing between them had the man's features, but the warmth in his expression purely reflected her. He'd clearly inherited the best genes from both.
"Landon Forbes actually came back!"
"Who's the woman beside him? She's so beautiful!" A senior designer exclaimed sincerely.
"If you ask me, this family is peak beauty. Alexander can't compare to them at all."
"I wish I could get her as a model for my next season's fashion show."
Hearing these comments, Landon unconsciously curved his lips slightly.
Those calling them a family have good, discerning eyes.
Across the room, Sabrina heard the commotion. She lost all interest in Keith and looked at them.
The next moment, her pupils contracted in shock, and she gripped her empty wine glass in disbelief.
Why did Charlotte come too?
And dressed so beautifully!
Charlotte had made efforts to look good for this party.
She had personally modified the deep blue gown slightly and paired it with a small pearl-colored evening clutch.
Her makeup also incorporated blue elements to match.
With this look, Charlotte was like a mermaid princess just emerging from the sea.
Sabrina was almost choking with jealousy.
She clutched her dress tightly, her chest heaving violently for a while before she finally managed to calm down.
On the other side, Alexander also saw Charlotte.
Having never seen Charlotte look so refined and dazzling, he was so shocked that he didn't even notice when wine spilled from his glass.
In his mind, the Charlotte he'd written off after their marriage was just a housewife, nothing more.
Day in and day out, she wore nothing but casual clothes or loungewear, rarely even wearing dresses.
Alexander had to admit that Charlotte truly amazed him.
He never expected to be amazed by his wife of seven years, with whom he was about to officially divorce. It sounded like a joke, but it was an undeniable fact.
However, when his gaze fell on the man beside Charlotte, his grip tightened on the glass.
On such an important occasion, his wife was actually accompanying Landon?
Where did that leave his dignity?
Alexander's expression turned cold, and just as he was about to stride forward, Sabrina appeared.
She took Alexander's arm and smiled sweetly: "Alexander, Charlotte's here too. Let's go say hello."
With Sabrina's interruption, his original anger suddenly died down.
After seven years in business, he had long learned how to control his emotions.
At an event like today's, making a scene would be embarrassing, but more importantly, it would affect the Forbes Group's public image and stock price.
So as Sabrina suggested, going over to greet them casually was the most dignified approach.
Alexander steadied his emotions and headed over with Owen and Sabrina.
Landon had just finished talking with the host, the old president's son, and handed over his gift when he spotted Alexander heading toward him, followed closely by Sabrina and Owen.
"Mr. Forbes, Charlotte."
Alexander and Sabrina greeted him but Landon acted like he hadn't heard a word. He leisurely took a glass of champagne from a passing server's tray, taking a sip before lazily glancing at them.
"Are you two wearing matching outfits today?"
As if her thoughts had been exposed, Sabrina felt guilty, embarrassed and annoyed.
Fortunately, Alexander didn't care at all as he glared at Charlotte. "What are you doing at this kind of event?"
Charlotte's neck stiffened, about to retort, when Landon jerked his chin toward Sabrina. "If she can come, why can't Charlotte?"
Facing Landon, Alexander unconsciously backed down: "Landon, Sabrina is a designer. Isn't it natural for her to be here?"
Landon glanced at him, "But she lost to Charlotte in the competition a few days ago."
Unable to bear it any longer, Alexander grabbed Charlotte's wrist and pulled her in front of him.
Alexander gritted his teeth and lowered his voice: "You can come if you want, but why did you have to come with Landon? Aren't I embarrassed enough already?"
Looking at the man grinding his teeth before her, Charlotte felt a bone-deep chill in her heart.
The next moment, she yanked her hand back forcefully: "You don't want me to come with Landon but you and Sabrina openly attend events as a couple!"
"Alexander, you can't have it both ways."
Alexander's expression darkened, he was about to speak, when a clear voice suddenly rang out beside him.
"Mr. Forbes, long time no see."
A refined young man walked over quickly, smiling as he stopped in front of Charlotte: "Charlotte, hello."
Charlotte quickly composed herself and blinked. Who was this man?
Fortunately, Landon helped clear up her confusion: "He's the youngest son of the Howard Family, Jordan Howard."
Charlotte finally remembered and nodded politely. "Hello, Mr. Howard."
Jordan smiled warmly, "You still haven't changed. Just call me Jordan."
Charlotte obliged. "Hello, Jordan."
"Hello, Charlotte." Jordan responded with a smile and extended his hand.
The Howard Family was also one of River City's prominent families.
She had formally met Jordan in middle school when they were desk mates for a while. Because of this, her mother and Mrs. Howard hit it off at a parent-teacher meeting and quickly became good friends.
In high school, they attended the same school but different classes, and she never paid much attention to Jordan after that.
Later, after she was brought back to the Talbot Family, she found out through a letter from Alexander that Jordan had been accepted to a top university abroad because of his excellent grades.
It seemed he had now returned after completing his studies.
However, Jordan's impression on Charlotte before was of a cold, distant academic who didn't talk much.
Unexpectedly, he seemed much more at ease meeting her again.
Across from them, watching Charlotte chat with Jordan, Sabrina's delicate features nearly became distorted with jealousy.
Why were all these excellent men attracted to Charlotte?
She had heard about Jordan long before this. A genuine academic genius, by all accounts.
He was recommended to a well-known overseas institution before even graduating high school. Later, she heard he got into a top medical school abroad. Considering the time lapse, he must have returned after completing his studies.
As if to confirm her thoughts, Jordan pulled out business cards and distributed them to everyone.
Charlotte smiled as she accepted one and glanced at it briefly.
[Hopewell Hospital, Chief Physician, Cardiology Department]
Alexander familiarly punched Jordan's shoulder: "You've made something of yourself."
Jordan smiled and dodged: "Can't compare to you, Mr. Forbes."
Soon, Jordan handed a business card to Sabrina, "And who is this lady?"