Chapter 256: Arabella’s Birthday!

Arabella’s birthday banquet was held at the Windsor Estate.

The estate stood on a quiet hillside, far from the noise and bustle of the city. Its surroundings were peaceful, with beautiful scenery stretching across the mountains and valleys.

Perhaps because the Windsor family had been informed of their arrival in advance, the security guards only asked a few simple questions before allowing them through.

Luca’s car entered the manor grounds under the admiring and envious gazes of the security personnel. Several luxury vehicles had even been arranged to lead the way.

After winding through several mountain roads, they finally arrived at a magnificent villa nestled against the mountainside.

"Wow! Arabella’s house is so grand!"

Trish stepped out of the car and stared up at the imposing villa, unable to hide her amazement.

People could be seen moving behind the first-floor windows. Judging by their hurried movements, they were clearly servants preparing for the evening’s guests.

"Mr. Hale, ladies, please follow me."

A young maid stepped forward and gestured for them to follow.

The villa was entirely white, giving it an elegant and imposing appearance. Even the interior was decorated with extraordinary luxury.

Rather than a villa, it looked more like a castle from a movie.

"Luca."

A familiar woman approached him and waved.

Noticing that she was alone, Luca smiled and teased her.

"Where’s your boyfriend? Didn’t he come with you?"

"He went home for summer vacation."

At the mention of her boyfriend, Fionna’s cheeks flushed faintly. There was also a trace of longing in her eyes.

She soon noticed Trish and Rachel standing behind Luca.

Her expression shifted as she remembered that Luca was dating several women at the same time. Leaning closer, she lowered her voice.

"You’re really bold. Couldn’t you have been a little more discreet when meeting Aunt Victoria for the first time?"

As she spoke, she discreetly pointed toward the two girls behind him and gave him a meaningful look.

She genuinely couldn’t understand what was going through his mind.

’Is he really that fearless?’

Not only had he brought other women to Arabella’s birthday banquet, but he had brought two of them at once.

’What is he planning to do? Isn’t he afraid Mrs. Windsor will throw him out?’

"Ahem. This is my sister. Don’t talk nonsense. She’s also your junior from school."

In the past, although Rachel had feelings for him, nothing had actually happened between them. He could therefore introduce her as his younger sister without feeling guilty.

Today, however, things were different.

Although they had not officially acknowledged their relationship, they had already kissed and crossed certain boundaries.

At that moment, Luca certainly didn’t have the confidence to introduce her as his sister-in-law.

While he chatted with Fionna, guests continued arriving at the villa.

Before long, Michael and the others appeared at the entrance.

"Luca, I was just saying that I’d come and pick you up. I didn’t expect you to be so eager to arrive."

A middle-aged couple stood beside him.

The man shared several of Michael’s features, making it obvious that he was his father.

When Michael greeted Luca, Mr. Halloway also turned his attention toward him. His son had already told him that Luca was the president of Hale-Viv Conglomerate in New Orleans.

Mr. Halloway had spent many years in the business world, but this was the first time he had met a CEO so young and accomplished.

"Mr. Hale."

"Michael and I are friends. Sir, you can just call me Luca."

"Alright."

Mr. Halloway patted him on the shoulder.

"My son told me that the gaming club where he plays belongs to you as well?"

"Yes."

"You’re truly young and promising."

As society progressed, the gaming industry had grown rapidly. It was a massive market, yet many established businessmen had dismissed it in the beginning.

By the time they realized its potential, the esports market had already been divided among the major players.

Looking back, Mr. Halloway couldn’t help feeling that he had missed a valuable opportunity.

Sometimes, he had to admire the younger generation.

Vincent Denim of Maison Premier was one example.

Luca, standing before him, was another.

’Good heavens. How did someone this young become so successful?’

There were not many guests that evening. Aside from Arabella’s friends, most of the attendees were relatives of the Windsor family.

Not long afterward, the elevator doors opened, and Arabella stepped out with a beautiful woman beside her.

It was the first time Luca had seen Arabella dressed like this.

She wore an elegant ivory silk dress with a fitted waist and a graceful A-line skirt. Delicate lace trimmed the neckline and sleeves, while a slender diamond belt amplified her figure. A pair of understated diamond earrings added just enough sparkle to complete the look.

Combined with her already breathtaking beauty, the sight left everyone nearby momentarily speechless.

The woman beside her also looked remarkably young. She had clearly taken excellent care of herself.

Standing next to Arabella, the two looked more like sisters than mother and daughter.

Luca was tall and handsome, making him impossible to overlook in a crowd.

Arabella spotted him almost immediately. After quietly saying a few words to her mother, she walked toward him.

As the birthday girl, every movement Arabella made naturally attracted attention.

Therefore, the moment she headed directly toward Luca, everyone present noticed.

Soon, the attention of the entire room shifted to him.

"Who is that man?"

"I’m not sure. He must be one of Arabella’s friends."

"He’s so handsome! Father, if the man you mentioned is him, I’ll agree to the marriage."

"Didn’t you swear yesterday that you would never get married?"

"That was before I met the right person. This man is even more handsome than Vincent Denim. I think he’s my soulmate!"

The whispers continued as Arabella reached Luca.

"Happy birthday, Arabella."

Luca took a small box from his pocket and handed it to her.

"Thank you. What is it?"

"A necklace."

Arabella nodded before reaching behind her neck and removing the gemstone necklace she was wearing.

The movement revealed her delicate collarbones, which only added to her beauty.

"Help me put it on."

"Of course."

Luca smiled, opened the ordinary-looking box, and took out the necklace.

The red, heart-shaped gemstone immediately caught the eye. The chain was decorated with 150 small diamonds, each one sparkling beneath the lights.

"So beautiful!"

Arabella covered her mouth in surprise.

She rarely lost her composure, but this was the first birthday gift Luca had ever given her. She had been looking forward to it, and the necklace had surpassed her expectations.

It was simply too beautiful.

[Ding!]

[The host spent $2,300,000 on Arabella Windsor and received a critical reward.]

[Congratulations to the host for acquiring a 66% stake in Nexora Technologies.]

’Nexora Technologies?’

Luca’s eyes flickered.

’I wonder if it has anything to do with the photolithography machine I obtained. I’ll have to investigate when I have time.’

Under the watchful eyes of the guests, Luca carefully placed the necklace around Arabella’s neck.

"So beautiful!"

"What kind of gemstone is that? It’s enormous!"

"Shouldn’t you be paying attention to Arabella’s relationship with that handsome man?"

Michael stood nearby with a wineglass in his hand. He stared at Luca and Arabella in disbelief before turning toward Trish.

"Um, Luca and my cousin..."

"Can’t you tell?" Trish replied without the slightest surprise. "They’ve been dating for months."

"Cough, cough."

Michael looked at Luca with admiration.

"Luca is really incredible. He actually managed to melt the iceberg that is my cousin."

He had guessed the truth before, but the others had quickly dismissed the possibility as absurd.

The main reason was that, throughout the years, Michael had never seen anyone capable of moving Arabella’s heart.

But this was a good thing.

His aunt, Victoria, could finally stop worrying about Arabella’s marriage.

"You brat!"

Mr. Halloway walked over and smacked Michael lightly on the back of the head.

"Why didn’t you tell me Luca and Arabella were in a relationship?"