Araceli POV
I looked at Melany indifferently.
"What exactly is Raphael's relationship with Melany?"
Eliezer's voice came from beside me.
Eliezer continued, "Raphael actually brought Melany to such an important business party! This is incredible. Holy crap, Araceli, that man is the most promising entrepreneur in New York, the heir to the Chowne family, Jaime Chowne! He's actually hitting on Melany!"
He frowned. "If Melany works with him, the shareholders of Eclipse Group will probably not hesitate to support Melany as the heir apparent. Araceli, come with me. Let me introduce you to some of my partners..."
I knew the shareholders of Eclipse Group were a bunch of profit-oriented businessmen. They were willing to support whoever could make money for them.
But, on second thought, I instantly had a plan.
Eclipse Group's shareholders were profit-oriented, but they all knew that Navi Group's projects were bigger and more profitable. Even if Melany did reach a partnership with Jaime, it wouldn't make much sense.
I smiled calmly and was about to say something when I was pulled by Eliezer towards a group of people.
I had just seen the group of men when I entered. They looked at me with hot, excited eyes, as if they were wild animals that had seen their prey.
I, however, felt nothing to fear and nodded politely to them, smiling.
"Ms. Chancey, I heard you are the current marketing manager of Eclipse Group, right?"
"Ms. Chancey, here's my card. Please feel free to let me know if there's anything you need help with. I would be happy to be your client, or a friend."
"I sincerely hope to work with you, Ms. Chancey..."
Several men gathered around me. Eliezer had to step back and make room for them.
I furrowed my brow, always feeling that something was wrong.
Subconsciously, I turned my eyes and saw a pair of eyes staring coldly at me, not far away.
These eyes were really similar to Micah's eyes...
Raphael kept staring at me.
I felt a chill run down my back, lowered my head, and looked at my dress to make sure it wasn't stained.
Everything was perfect.
I wore a white Haute Couture dress. This fabric was vaguely pearlescent and radiant. The black heels were made of high quality black leather, showing off an elegant texture.
What the hell was he looking at?
As I wondered, Raphael took a sip of his wine and withdrew his eyes.
I narrowed my eyes slightly and smiled more brightly, joking and laughing around with these men.
I didn't know why, but an indefinable emotion floated up from my heart.
I frowned slightly, skillfully hiding the unease in my eyes, and continued to chat with them.
By the time I reacted, Raphael was already standing in front of me.
Raphael was born an emperor. Especially when he didn't speak, he looked even colder.
I turned my head and saw several men winced at the sight of Raphael.
"Mr. Lancaster."
Still smiling, I raised my glass at Raphael.
"Ms. Chancey, it's been a long time. What are you talking to them about? Collaboration?"
Raphael smiled coldly, with a sneer in his eyes.
The men, sensing that the atmosphere wasn't quite right, looked at each other and took several steps back.
I laughed lightly, with no emotion in my eyes.
"Mr. Lancaster, look behind you. Maybe you should take care of your lady first."
Raphael frowned slightly, turning back suspiciously.
Melany and Jaime were standing a short distance away, holding glasses of wine and chatting.
Jaime was obviously drunk and tentatively touched Melany's arm.
Melany didn't refuse, probably because she was concerned about Jaime's status.
Just as I was about to taunt Raphael, I saw him staring at Melany and Jaime and smiling.
I was completely puzzled.
His smile looked like it came from his heart, not a fake one.
I frowned slightly, not understanding what was going on.
If Melany was Raphael's fiancée, why was Raphael quite happy when he saw his fiancée hooking up with another man?
Could it be that...
"Mr. Lancaster, you are really generous. In order to get the support of the Chowne family, you actually let your fiancée..."
Before I could finish my sentence, Raphael glanced at me coldly.
I froze for a second.
Raphael's eyes were so dark and cold that I couldn't help but shiver.
He looked away and said, "She's not my fiancée."
I was indifferent. "Alright."
Of course, he wouldn't admit such a thing at such an awkward time.
I could understand that.
Raphael heard my answer and turned his head to look at me again with a cold grunt.
He gripped his glass tighter and explained, "Can't you see that Melany is interested in Jaime?"
What?
I remembered that Melany liked good-looking men, but Jaime was actually quite ordinary-looking.
If Jaime was handsome, I might have been able to believe Raphael's words.
Melany would never be interested in a man like Jaime.
Raphael just looked at me with deepening contempt in his eyes.
He took a sip of his wine, changed the subject very decisively, and said, "How is Valeria?"
I suddenly snapped back to my senses. I hadn't even called him after I carried Valeria away last time.
Actually, I wanted to roll my eyes and say, "It has nothing to do with you." But last time, it was Raphael who saved Valeria's life, so I couldn't be so rude.
I pursed my lips and said, "She's fine."
Raphael took a deep breath and said, "I know a specialist who treats children with autism, and I can introduce you to him."
His voice trailed off. "Valeria would come forward with her feelings when she was with me and would show me pictures that she liked. Maybe this is a good time to treat her..."
"Wait... What do you mean?" I lifted my eyes. "Can Valeria see things?"
Raphael frowned. "Don't you know your daughter can see? She's not blind! At least, I don't think she is."
His words were filled with mockery.
I explained, "Valeria rarely speaks. She has had eye disease since the day she was born. When I took her to the hospital, the doctor said it was too late."
When I think about it, I feel so guilty. I hadn't protected my little girl.
Unconsciously, my eyes were filled with tears.
Raphael looked at me, froze for two seconds, and sighed slightly, "When I took Valeria back to the villa, she kept saying that I looked like her brother. So it seems that she should be able to see my face. She's not blind."
My expression turned a little serious.
"Mr. Lancaster, thank you. If this is true, you've really helped me a lot."
Raphael said, "It's nothing."
Suddenly, I felt out of breath. I thought about it and decided to leave the party in a hurry and go home.
I wanted to go back and see my daughter immediately.