Secret Scion

Layla shot the man a simple glance. She was too familiar with the man before her. He was Rowan Foster, the owner of a game company based in the Capital City. Thanks to the fact that mobile games had swept through the nation, Rowan was already worth hundreds of millions despite his youth and successfully entered the elite circle. He was also one of Layla's many admirers. However, she was not interested in him at all.

"There are so many of our acquaintances here today. It has nothing to do with coincidences." Rowan smiled, slightly embarrassed. Layla was a woman that was difficult to court.

"It's hard for me to see you. Isn't it a coincidence for us to meet here today?" Rowan raised his glass, signaling her to drink. However, she simply ignored him and turned around, opting to walk toward her friends.

While Rowan looked calm on the outside, he was actually quite angry deep down. After all, Layla was being too disrespectful to him.

The Lanes arrived at this place soon enough. Xavier and several older Schmidts walked over to greet them.

As the Lanes arrived, the atmosphere here reached the climax. The seniors from both sides began to share drinks and chat while the youths were all in their own circles. When it was around two o'clock in the afternoon, the feast began.

In the huge courtyard, dozens of tables were neatly arranged in two rows. The elders from the Schmidts and the Lanes sat together. Garrett and Maggie would naturally sit together with Xavier and Spencer on the same table since they were the subject of today's celebration as soon-to-be wedded husband and wife.

"Maggie, you don't look like you're happy." Garrett couldn't help but comment when he saw Maggie sitting next to him gloomily.

In truth, Garrett knew clearly that when it came to an alliance through marriage, their feelings did not matter. If they became husband and wife, then the Lanes would become his supporters. They would be very important to him when it was time for him to compete for the position of Patriarch. That was the reason why Garrett was at least respectful to her.

Maggie then asked in a low voice, "Do you like me, Garrett?"

"Yes, I do." Garrett nodded without hesitation.

"Which part of me do you like?"

Garrett never expected that Maggie would ask something like that. Hence, he could not keep up with the conversation. Garrett loved many women in the past. For example, he loved Freya, Dove, and Noelle. He loved any woman that looked beautiful. However, he only loved their appearances.

"You can't tell me which part of me that you like. That means that you never liked me. If you don't like me, why do you want to be engaged to me? Two people who have no feelings for each other that are forced into a marriage will never have happiness," Maggie said frankly.

"Why don't you tell your grandfather that, then? If the Lanes don't agree to this, we'd never have this engagement."

"I can't get through to him. I heard that Xavier cares for you deeply. If you mention this matter in front of him, maybe the Schmidts will stop this engagement as well."

When Garrett heard her words, he could not help but laugh. "Oh, Maggie. That's a good plan. Unfortunately, I won't tell Grandpa anything."

Garrett was very upset. Despite today being the day of their engagement, Maggie wanted to break it. She was being so disrespectful to him. If it was not because of her status, he could guarantee that she would have already become his.

Maggie Lane. I couldn't touch you in the past, but after today, you'll be my fiancée. I'll teach you a lesson after this!

As Garrett's thoughts grew darker, the expression on his face was gradually tainted with wickedness.

Layla was seated together with Rose, Annette, Savannah, and a few of their friends from the same circle.

Layla and Annette were both quite well acquainted. While they were not best friends, they were still closer than normal friends. Annette was currently seated at Layla's right. She teased with a smile, "Layla, I wonder when can I attend your wedding."

"Maybe not in this lifetime," Layla replied.

"What? You're kidding!" Annette exclaimed in shock.

A young woman sat next to her butted in. "That's because Ms. Knight's standard is too high. I saw Rowan courting her just now. Unfortunately, Ms. Knight doesn't like him at all."

"Ms. Knight is a beloved daughter in her family as well as Solomon's granddaughter from her mother's side. It's only normal that she's not impressed with Rowan despite him having the doubloons. They're not on the same level. Haha!" Savannah added with a smile.

Layla glanced at Savannah before saying emotionlessly, "Excuse me, but I don't think that this has anything to do with you."

"I'm just worried about you. I didn't mean anything else," Savannah replied.

As the host, Rose naturally had to control the situation when she realized that things were going south. She said with a smile, "Savannah has always been frank, Layla. There's no need to bother yourself over her."

Layla merely said, "Oh, there's no need for that."

Despite the soft smile on Savannah's face, she was feeling quite upset on the inside. However, she was far too disadvantaged when it came to her family background. She had no choice but to simply endure this.

At this time, Xavier stood up and cleared his throat. The entire courtyard instantly quieted down. He then said with a smile, "Today is the day that Garrett and Maggie get engaged. I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for making time in your busy schedules to participate in their engagement banquet. I can promise you here on out that the Schmidts will be the first ones to participate in your joyous occasions in the future as well. I hope that you will all feast happily today."

Boom! Boom! Boom!

As soon as Xavier had finished, there was a chain of exploding sounds from the outside of the courtyard. While it was still morning, the bright colors of the fireworks could still be seen streaking through the sky.

Everyone could not help but look at the sky. Even Xavier was somewhat confused and asked, "Garrett, did you arrange for this?"

When they were speaking, the sounds of the fireworks outside had stopped as well. While they weren't that loud, there were less than ten. This was a mediocre show for a family like the Schmidts.

Garrett replied, "Grandpa, I didn't prepare this. Had I truly prepared the fireworks, I would have them continue on for an hour or two. Ten fireworks are a bit cheap."

"If you didn't prepare them, then who did?" Xavier became even more confused.

Just when he found it all perplexing, two young men appeared in his sight. One of them was slightly slim, but the other was bulky and large. They were Asher and Griffin.

"Grandpa, why is Asher here?" When Garret noticed that Asher came without being invited, he immediately stood up, his eyes already bloodshot and filled with anger. It was only natural since they were enemies.

Only then did Xavier realize that the fireworks were prepared by Asher, making his expression darken as well.

"Asher? Why are you here?" Layla was also quite surprised. However, she quickly realized that he did not come here with any good intentions. She hastily approached him and said, "Asher, there are a lot of people here today. This is not the time for you to cause a scene. You should leave." Asher merely smiled disapprovingly and said, "Layla, you think too much. Today is the Schmidts' joyous day. I don't have the guts to cause a scene. The only reason I came here is to congratulate them. Xavier, I wonder if you're still happy with the gift I prepared for you?" Xavier could not help but grit his teeth. Asher... That bastard must be up to no good. "The heart of a gift is not at its value, but at its meaning," Xavier replied as he narrowed his eyes. "However, that only applies to friends. After you crippled Sam two years ago, you are an enemy of the Schmidts from that day onward. We do not welcome you today. Please leave immediately." "Asher, what kind of tricks are you up to? I'm warning you. Today is the day that Maggie and I are engaged. I won't forgive you if you do anything to ruin our day!" Garrett said as he gritted his teeth while pointing at Asher.

Griffin snorted and said, "Garrett, you'll have to get through me first if you want to do anything to my boss."

"Griffin, the Schmidts and the Quinns aren't enemies. I suggest that you keep yourself out of trouble," Rose said as she stood up. She then walked over to Asher and said sternly, "Asher, leave now and we can pretend this has never happened."

"What if I refuse to comply?" Asher chuckled.

"If you won't, I'll have Rodrick throw you out. The Schmidt residence is not a place where you can stir up trouble," Rose said coldly.

"Rodrick?" Asher let out a laugh. "I think you've really misunderstood me. I really came to congratulate you. Besides, I've prepared a nice gift for you guys. Of course, it's not the fireworks from earlier. While the Crawfords aren't as rich as the Schmidts, we aren't that poor. Please, Xavier. Don't get so angry. Maybe you'll like the gift once you see what it is."