Chapter 271: Arrival At The Engagement Banquet!

Over the next two days, Luca also took some time to visit Nexora Science Park in Capital City.

He handed over the photolithography machine project he had been working on.

When he presented the drawings and technical data for the EUV photolithography machine, Daniel Fletcher, the person in charge of Nexora Science Park, was stunned.

To Daniel, Luca had practically descended from heaven.

This was precisely the technological hurdle they had been trying to overcome for years.

Yet Luca had simply brought the solution to them.

Daniel had no idea where Luca had obtained such confidential information.

But at this point, that hardly mattered.

Based on the materials Luca had provided, Daniel believed they could begin working toward a functioning EUV machine in the near future.

When that happened, it wouldn’t just be Nexora Technologies that benefited.

The entire domestic semiconductor industry could receive a tremendous boost.

Before anyone realized it, the day of Jack Denim and Alani Stones’ engagement arrived.

Luca could have attended as the president of Northstar Real Estate Company.

But he wanted to stay close to Arabella.

So, without the slightest trace of shame, he simply got into her car.

"Luca, don’t wrinkle my dress."

Behind the privacy screen, Arabella finally couldn’t take it anymore and slapped his wandering hand away.

She straightened her dress before giving him an annoyed look.

But when her gaze fell on his lips, her expression softened.

With a quiet sigh, she reached into her handbag, pulled out a wet wipe, and carefully cleaned the faint lipstick stain from his lips.

"Are you really that careless with Trish and Rachel?" she asked while wiping his lips. "You left both of them behind just to attend this banquet?"

Luca smiled.

"I called them. They refused to come. They said they didn’t want to see Jack’s face."

The memory of encountering Jack at The Elysian Club still made both girls uncomfortable.

His predatory gaze had made them instinctively wary.

If Michael hadn’t been there to make Jack think twice, no one knew what he might have tried.

"Besides, Jack is practically asking for trouble himself."

The engagement between Maison Premier of Capital City and Stones Group had attracted considerable attention.

Almost every prominent figure in Capital City’s social circles had received an invitation.

Business elites were present, along with numerous celebrities from the entertainment industry.

There were also guests from the military and political circles, although those with sensitive positions naturally kept a low profile and avoided drawing unnecessary attention.

When the Windsor family’s car entered the hotel grounds, it immediately attracted numerous gazes.

"Isn’t that the Windsor family’s car?"

"Yeah. I didn’t expect them to attend."

"Of course they’re here. We’re all part of the same circle. They have to show some support."

"I heard the Maison Premier’s head was furious when he found out the Windsor family’s daughter had started dating someone."

"Really? Isn’t he already married?"

"In our circle? How many couples actually stay together forever? Marriage doesn’t mean divorce is impossible."

"I heard the Windsor daughter’s boyfriend has quite a background too. Apparently, he isn’t much weaker than Maison Premier."

"Of course. That’s Luca Hale, the new president of Hale-Viv Conglomerate. His influence in New Orleans is said to be comparable to Maison Premier’s influence in Capital City."

Arabella’s relationship with Luca was no longer a secret.

Photos from her birthday celebration had already circulated through the upper circles.

Luca’s appearance was hardly a mystery anymore.

There had also been the incident involving Gordon Luiz, which had caused Luca’s name to spread among Capital City’s wealthy circles.

Even if most people didn’t remember every detail, there were always people interested enough to connect the dots.

The driver brought the car to a smooth stop in front of the hotel.

Luca and Arabella stepped out together.

Most of the guests were from Capital City, and many had seen Arabella at various social events over the years.

Naturally, their attention shifted toward Luca.

Everyone wanted to see what kind of man had managed to become the boyfriend of the Windsor family’s little princess.

And when they finally saw him, many were pleasantly surprised.

Handsome.

That was the first impression Luca left on almost everyone.

Vincent Denim of Capital City’s social circle, was already famous for being both handsome and wealthy.

For years, he had been the dream lover of countless wealthy young women.

Many had once dreamed of marrying him and becoming the wife of the most powerful Heir in Capital City.

Yet things had turned out very differently.

Vincent hadn’t married Arabella.

He hadn’t married another prominent heiress either.

Instead, he had married Stephanie from the Hart family, a family that ranked only around the second tier of Capital City’s elite circles.

At the time, countless young ladies had been heartbroken.

But seeing Luca now, some of them suddenly understood something.

’Maybe Vincent isn’t quite as handsome as we thought.’

Appearance was relative.

Compared with ordinary people, Vincent was undoubtedly an exceptionally handsome man, the kind who attracted attention wherever he went.

But standing beside Luca, the difference was obvious.

Luca’s broad shoulders, narrow waist, and well-defined physique only added to his naturally striking appearance.

By comparison, Vincent suddenly seemed much less impressive.

As soon as Luca stepped out of the car with Arabella beside him, countless curious gazes settled on him.

Most of them belonged to young women dressed in expensive designer outfits.

Arabella noticed immediately.

"You’re really popular," she whispered.

As she spoke, she tightened her grip around Luca’s arm.

Before coming to Capital City, Arabella had already made a promise to her friends in their group chat.

’I absolutely won’t let any woman with ulterior motives get close to Luca.’

She knew Luca wasn’t interested in just any woman.

But Capital City was enormous, and there were naturally women whose beauty could rival even hers.

That meant she couldn’t afford to become careless.

Arabella puffed out her cheeks slightly.

As the saying went, better fifty enemies outside the house than one within.

She had overheard enough of Sophie’s video call with Luca that day to know what had happened between him and Rachel.

Fortunately, the newest addition to Luca’s circle was Rachel.

Arabella didn’t know whether Sophie would eventually accept it, but she personally had no objection.

Rachel was a sweet girl, and as long as Luca genuinely liked her, Arabella could accept her too.

Besides, she knew Rachel well enough to know that the girl wasn’t the type to scheme against her.