Iris Yates was so heartbroken she was on the verge of tears. She squeezed Chloe Reed’s hand tightly. "Chloe, even so, you can’t give up. All of that was originally yours. Sunny Reed just showed up and snatched it all away. She never should have appeared in the first place."

Chloe Reed closed her eyes, suppressing the turmoil of emotions surging within her. She forced a smile back onto her face. "Yes, you’re right. I’m fine. I’ll be okay."

Iris stepped forward and hugged her. "Don’t be afraid. I’ll always be on your side."

Chloe rested her chin on Iris’s shoulder, feeling the warmth from her best friend. She smiled and said, "I’m so glad I have you."

The two of them stayed in the corner for a while before Chloe managed to collect her negative emotions and return to the banquet hall.

Preston Vance had already finished his speech, during which he also announced the Vance Group’s upcoming development plans. The socialites and dignitaries immediately swarmed toward him.

Preston Vance just chatted casually for a moment before heading upstairs by himself.

The Vance Group was only truly interested in partnering with industry leaders; these smaller companies were just here to fill the seats today.

Chloe Reed’s sharp eyes spotted Walker Grant leading Sunny Reed upstairs.

Her grip tightened on her wine glass.

Autumn Linton walked over to her. "Chloe, you saw it too. The Vance Group is going to work with our family through Sunny. If you go over there now, you’ll seriously damage the Vance Group’s impression of our family. The losses won’t be small. At a time like this, don’t go making trouble, okay?"

Chloe turned to look at her, her expression surprisingly calm. "How could my going over be ’making trouble’? I want to do my part for the family, too."

She was still determined to go.

Autumn Linton grabbed her hand. "Chloe..."

But Chloe dodged her touch and headed straight for the stairs.

Autumn Linton was about to stop her, but Iris Yates immediately stepped forward. "Auntie, I haven’t seen you in so long. Why don’t we have a little chat? Let’s talk about why you’re so good to your adopted daughter. Did she save your life or something?"

Autumn Linton was speechless.

When Chloe Reed reached the door of the upstairs lounge, she was stopped by a bodyguard.

"You can’t go in right now. Mr. Vance is with a guest."

Chloe Reed nodded. Instead of going back downstairs, she went to a small adjacent sitting room to wait.

Past a large potted plant were two sofas, and beyond them was an outdoor balcony decorated with many beautiful floral arrangements.

Chloe walked straight over to it. Standing on the balcony, the clamor from behind seemed to melt away.

She took a deep breath, her senses filling with the fragrance of the flowers. She felt a rare sense of relaxation wash over her.

"...Hello?"

Just then, a voice suddenly came from behind her.

Chloe was startled. She hadn’t realized anyone else was there.

She turned her head and saw a man sitting in a chair in a corner. He wore rimless glasses and had a handsome, scholarly face, but his complexion didn’t look very good at the moment.

"Could you please help me get my assistant? He’s downstairs. I think I’m having an episode, and he has my medicine." The man clutched his chest, a pleading look on his face.

Chloe’s pupils contracted. She rushed forward and asked, "What’s your assistant’s name?"

"Ian Spencer. Thank you."

Chloe didn’t hesitate. She hurried downstairs to find him, asking the club manager in the banquet hall, and located Ian Spencer, anxiously telling him what had happened.

Ian Spencer immediately came upstairs with Chloe following behind him. She watched as he took out the medicine and gave it to the man.

The man closed his eyes. After a moment, he looked at her and smiled gently. "Thank you. My name is Preston Vance. And what is your name?"