Chapter 5

By custom, the chairman only toasted the executive table for show, then left.

But tonight Keith seemed to be in high spirits. Flanked by several vice presidents, glass in hand, he actually started making his way toward the ordinary employees' section.

Renata's heart shot straight into her throat.

Don't come over here. Please don't come over here. She prayed frantically inside.

She dropped her head and pretended to dig through her bag, trying to hide her face behind her hair.

But the thing she feared came anyway.

Keith made small talk with employees the whole way. He seemed to enjoy this mingling-with-the-people feeling.

When he reached the admin department tables, Kate put on the biggest show of all. She dragged her husband and son forward, all but throwing herself into the aisle.

"Mr. Delgado! Good evening, Mr. Delgado! I'm Kate Lambert from the admin department! This is my husband, he's in building materials too, and he's always admired your name!" Kate's voice trembled with excitement.

Keith stopped, gave a polite nod, and let his gaze move on without lingering.

Just as he was about to turn and leave, his eyes drifted, by chance, over the next table.

At that table sat Renata, head still down, and Jackson, turned to one side to block the draft from his mother.

The light fell right across Jackson's profile.

In that instant, Keith's feet slammed to a stop.

He froze where he stood, as if he'd been struck by lightning. The glass in his hand tilted, a few drops spilling onto his expensive tailored suit, and he didn't feel a thing.

The secretary behind him jumped and hurried forward. "Mr. Delgado? What's wrong?"

Keith ignored him. He pushed past the bodyguard blocking his path and walked, step by step, almost stumbling, toward Renata's table.

Everyone around them was stunned, with no idea what was happening.

The admin department coworkers held their breath, and Kate's smile froze on her face as she watched, jealous, while the chairman moved toward Renata's table.

Renata felt the strange shift in the air around her.

That powerful, crushing presence was getting closer.

She knew she couldn't hide anymore.

Trembling, she lifted her head, and met Keith's eyes head-on, eyes full of shock, confusion, even a trace of wild joy.

But Keith wasn't looking at her.

He was looking at Jackson beside her.

Jackson was pouring hot tea for his mother. Sensing someone approaching, he instinctively stood and turned around.

The moment the old man and the young man locked eyes.

The whole banquet hall seemed to stand still.