Chapter 5. The Mate

Everest Leon approached Taggart, who looked anxious after leaving his father's bedroom. Taggart shook his head as if Bruce were rejecting his attempt to cancel the dinner.

"How about this? If you keep doing the dinner, you will take your father's proposed mate, sir," said Everest, expressing his worry. Taggart walked closer to the railing on the balcony of the top floor. He could see some guests had arrived from above. Everest also looked down, although he then turned his gaze back to Taggart.

"I've got no choice tonight, Everest. I may think another way to run.” Taggart then glimpsed at Everest, who gave the nod. Taggart turned around, and Everest followed him. He would go downstairs to meet the guests, as his father insisted.

Meanwhile, Pearl had just arrived at the main lobby. She walked out of her car along with her parents. She was surprised to see some people also coming. She scowled, assuming that she was the only one attending the dinner. Pearl then got closer to her father and half-whispered.

“I think we have a lot of competition, Dad.”

Pearl's words suddenly made Sandra glare at her. Pearl put on an innocent look as if she said nothing. Sandra glared back at John, who looked shocked.

"How about this? Why are so many people coming? I thought they were waiting for us," Sandra hissed and quipped at John. John turned to his wife and then took a deep sigh. He shook his head, not knowing about the Taggarts' plan.

"I don't know about this. They just asked us to come," said John, defending himself.

Behind, Pearl hid her smile. She now prayed inside that she could escape from the arranged marriage as soon as possible. If there were many prettier options, wouldn't her chances of surviving the dinner be greater?

"Let's get inside!" Pearl nodded at Sandra. She was more enthusiastic because she already had a plan. Pearl has no interest in playing matchmaker at the dinner ball. That's why she planned not to stand out and show herself off.

“Ah, we could lose to them. Pearl!” Sandra pulled Pearl forward after they entered the main room. Pearl gasped in surprise, then was shocked to see the mansion's main living room. Sandra and the other guests felt the same way. They gathered in the middle of a Victorian-style room reminiscent of a medieval palace.

Classical music, with a mini orchestra playing beautiful songs, greets guests. Pearl feels like she has been thrown into a century far from her age.

"Am I still on earth?" she muttered, amazed by the house. There is no scary impression in the mansion. Despite Pearl's initial perception of the Kellent family as arrogant and haughty,

The walls were adorned with expensive paintings and statues of high artistic value, and the interior of the room was luxurious, a sight that made all the guests gasp and amazed.

"You are too lucky to have a wealthy future husband like him. Look at this place. I can't imagine how big this house is. They are indeed a real tycoon," said Sandra, amazed by the room.

Pearl turned to Sandra with concern. Sandra was dazzled by the wealth in front of her, while Pearl was busy thinking about her fate. On the other hand, she didn't want her future husband to recognize her. Instead, it would be better if he chose someone else.

Shortly after, a handsome man came down the main stairs into the room. The man smiled kindly. He has a neat appearance and is attractive. He is also handsome and similar to sexy men from Latin America, and he has perfect sculpture and posture.

“Welcome, guests. Tonight, I want to introduce my son to you at the dinner ball," said Bruce Kellent, starting with a friendly smile like a good host.

Some girls smiled broadly to see a handsome, wealthy man as their next father-in-law. His son must be much more attractive. Meanwhile, Taggart was not yet ready to step down. He was still looking from the top floor. Bruce turned to the side and asked one of his guards to come closer.

“Ask Taggart to come to the dining room now. Don't let him escape," Bruce whispered to his bodyguard. The guard nodded in understanding and left not long after. Bruce turned back to his guests with a big smile.

“We'd better gather in the dining room and wait for Taggart.” Bruce invited his guests to join him.

Taggart was about to go downstairs, but he stopped at the end of the stairs. His brow furrowed when he saw a girl being pulled by her mother. He couldn't see the girl's face.

"Sir?" Everest rebuked. He looked down, too, but he didn't understand what was happening.

"What is it?" Everest became curious.

"Come on!" Taggart was even more excited to go downstairs immediately. Everest ran down, following Taggart, who was acting strangely. Moreover, two minutes ago, he wanted to run away, but now he was walking quickly into the dining room, following the guests.

"Sir, what's wrong?" Everest couldn't keep his mouth shut to ask. He felt like Taggart was chasing something.

Taggart strolled with his eyes, looking for the girl he'd seen earlier. Bruce had a glimpse of his son coming, then spoke in a louder pitch.

"Attention, please." Taggart stopped and glanced at his father. His eyes widened when Bruce introduced himself and caught everyone's attention.

"Let me introduce to you all. That is my son, Taggart Kellent.” Bruce stretched out one hand to point at Taggart. Now, all eyes were on Taggart except Pearl. Pearl looked down because she was busy typing something on her cell phone.

Pearl is chatting with her older brother, Keith, about picking her up. Briana is also in the same chat room, planning to escape from the dinner. So, while all the guests' eyes are fixed on and admire the prince, Pearl doesn't see him.

John then looked back and found Pearl quietly typing on her cell phone. He quietly rebuked.

"What are you doing?"