The following day marked the grand opening of XL’s highly anticipated art exhibition, scheduled for three in the afternoon. Having grown up admiring XL’s works, Liza no longer found them particularly intriguing. However, her indifference was not shared by everyone. George, a devoted admirer of XL, was ecstatic about attending. Tickets for the event were in high demand, with many wealthy families unable to secure them. For someone like George, obtaining one was an almost impossible dream. Adding to the enthusiasm, Henry had been persistently clamoring to attend. Understanding their excitement, Liza contacted XL directly and managed to secure two exclusive tickets for them. By two in the afternoon, George and Henry, both dressed sharply in tailored suits, eagerly waited at the entrance of the venue. As time ticked closer to the event, attendees—comprising notable figures from Li City’s elite families and prominent bureaucratic circles—began to gather, their presence a testament to XL’s immense influence. Henry, taking in the prestigious crowd, couldn’t help but exclaim, “My idol is truly incredible! XL is unmatched!” The fact that even the most powerful and affluent individuals had to wait patiently for their turn to view the exhibition was, in Henry’s opinion, the ultimate validation of XL’s talent and reputation. The serene and sophisticated atmosphere of the venue was abruptly disrupted by an irate female voice echoing through the space. “Look closely—these are our tickets! What gives you the right to stop us from entering?” Henry and George turned toward the commotion. The source of the uproar was a middle-aged woman, adorned in lavish attire and gleaming silver jewelry. Her expression was twisted with fury, and her face was flushed. She demanded, “Let us in! I want an explanation! I paid good money for these tickets!”The sudden scene drew the attention of everyone nearby, their curious gazes landing squarely on her. Henry leaned toward George and murmured, “Isn’t that Madam Clint? Why would she be denied entry? Could she have upset XL somehow?” Madam Clint, whose face betrayed her humiliation, wished the ground would swallow her whole. The Clint Family had managed to procure only two tickets for the event, and she was accompanying her daughter, Alora. However, they were unexpectedly stopped at the entrance. Seething with frustration, Madam Clint snapped, “Give me a reason for this embarrassment!” The staff member, maintaining a professional demeanor, offered an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry, ma’am. These instructions came from higher management. We’ve been explicitly told not to permit your entry.” Madam Clint’s anger boiled over, but before she could unleash her fury, Alora intervened with a calm and composed demeanor.“Let’s not jump to conclusions,” Alora said gently, attempting to diffuse the situation. “Our tickets were purchased through legitimate channels. Could you please check again to see if there’s been a mistake?” Known for her gracious and amiable personality, Alora’s words prompted murmurs of agreement among the crowd. “She’s right,” someone interjected. “There’s no way the esteemed Clint Family would have fake tickets. This must be an error.” The staff member, caught in an uncomfortable position, had no choice but to make a phone call. After a brief conversation, he returned with an apologetic expression and delivered his response in a calm yet firm voice. “I’m sorry, Miss Alora and Madam Clint. I’ve spoken with Mr. Xavier’s assistant, and it was Mr. Xavier himself who instructed that the Clint Family’s tickets be canceled. As for the specific reason, I suggest you address your concerns to Mr. Xavier directly.” Madam Clint’s face turned red with fury, and she looked as though she might explode. She had been proud of securing those tickets, even going so far as to flaunt them on her WeChat Moments. Now, the humiliation of being turned away at the entrance left her feeling utterly disgraced. “How dare you claim that XL canceled our tickets? The Clint Family has never offended him! This must be some mistake or deliberate scheme on your part. Let us in immediately!” Madam Clint barked, her tone sharp and unforgiving. Standing beside her, Alora remained silent. She didn’t attempt to stop her mother, as she herself struggled to believe that XL would take such a step without reason. In her mind, it was far more plausible that the staff member had misinterpreted something or was acting out of spite. “This is outrageous!” Madam Clint continued, her voice rising. “We paid for these tickets, and now you’re denying us entry? If you claim that Mr. Xavier’s assistant gave such instructions, then bring him here to explain!” Before the staff member could respond, a calm and gentle voice interrupted. “There’s no need to involve my assistant—I’ll address this personally.” Heads turned toward the source of the voice, and gasps rippled through the crowd. XL had arrived, his poised demeanor commanding attention. He had come to the venue to finalize arrangements with the staff, but the commotion had clearly drawn his notice. “XL is here!” someone in the crowd exclaimed with excitement. “He’s not only incredibly talented but also so good-looking!” another murmured in admiration. “I’ve always heard XL is kind and fair. If he’s made this decision, the Clint Family must have done something to warrant it,” a third attendee speculated. Hearing the murmurs around her, Madam Clint clenched her fists in frustration. Her voice trembled as she lashed out, “We’ve never even met XL before! How could we have offended him? Mr. Xavier, since you’re here, I demand an explanation. Is this the result of some misunderstanding by your assistant?” XL’s sharp gaze swept over Madam Clint before settling on Alora. His voice was calm but carried an unmistakable authority. “Miss Alora,” he said pointedly, “is there something you’d like to add?” All eyes turned to Alora, and the weight of XL’s words hung heavily in the air.