The Reed Family had taken over the entire hotel for their grand banquet, leaving everyone in awe as an elegant car pulled up. All eyes turned to the vehicle, the murmurs growing louder. “Is it really them?” someone whispered. “The Reed Family must be the only ones in Li City with the clout to host such guests,” another remarked, astonished. Hearing the excitement, Liza assumed Albert had finally arrived. Turning around to greet him and grumble about his tardiness, she was instead met with a pair of cold, piercing eyes. Gavin. Liza froze. Why was Gavin here? Her mind raced. Was he here to reprimand her? To humiliate her in front of everyone, just like Sophia wanted? Maybe he would even have her thrown out by security. The more she dwelled on it, the more indignant she felt. Her frustration boiled over. Refusing to let the guards usher her out like an unwanted guest, she pushed past them, her defiance evident. Under the amused gazes of Sophia and Clara, Liza strode toward the exit. She didn’t need anyone to tell her to leave—she’d do it herself! But as she passed Gavin, his hand shot out, firmly grasping her arm. “Have you had enough of your little tantrum?” he asked, his voice calm but commanding. The room fell silent. Liza blinked in surprise, caught off guard. Was Gavin not here to punish her? Lowering his gaze, Gavin softened his tone. “Still giving me the silent treatment? Come back inside with me first. We’ll deal with everything else later.” His words left Liza speechless. Was this really the same man? The one she expected to side with Sophia and order her to leave? Now, he was speaking to her gently, even coaxing her.Still, she wasn’t about to let him off so easily. With a huff, she crossed her arms and pouted. “I don’t want to go in with you! Miss Sophia and her little friend said I’m not welcome. They even had the security guards try to throw me out!” Gavin’s eyes darkened as he turned to Sophia. “You didn’t let her in?” Sophia’s breath hitched, panic flashing across her face. “Brother Gavin, I-I didn’t—” Clara, eager to defend Sophia and win Gavin’s favor, interjected quickly. “Mr Gavin, please don’t blame Sophia. Even though Miss Liza came with you, she didn’t have an invitation. You understand how exclusive this banquet is. Many people try to sneak in. Sophia was just following the rules. Surely, you can see that?” She hesitated briefly before glancing pointedly at Liza. Her tone turned sharper. “Besides, bringing a woman with such a questionable reputation to the Reed Family’s banquet might embarrass the old master. A woman like that could only bring trouble.”Clara smirked inwardly, confident that her logic would resonate with Gavin. Surely, once he realized the potential disgrace Liza could bring, he would side with Sophia and the family. After all, someone of Gavin’s status couldn’t afford such a scandal. Liza crossed her arms, her lips curling into a slight pout. “Did you hear that? Apparently, I don’t have an invitation, and an ‘indecent woman’ like me isn’t allowed inside.” Gavin’s gaze shifted toward the speaker, his expression calm but laced with icy scrutiny. “No invitation?” he murmured, his tone carrying a quiet, dangerous edge. George, ever attuned to Gavin’s intentions, immediately stepped forward. From his pocket, he produced two intricately designed invitation cards, presenting them to Gavin with a respectful bow. Gavin’s lips curled into a faint, almost imperceptible smile. His voice remained soft but carried a weight that made everyone in the vicinity still. “It seems the invitation personally sent by Old Master Reed doesn’t hold much significance here. In that case, please inform him that I, Gavin, made an appearance but won’t be attending the banquet. Someone here implied my invitation was fake, so it’s only proper that I leave.” Without waiting for a response, George approached the security guards with an elegantly wrapped gift in hand. “This is a congratulatory token from President Gavin: Ruby Co’s exclusive gown, Time Flows. Please ensure it reaches Old Master Reed with our regards.” Gavin turned without hesitation and began walking toward the exit, his calm demeanor unshaken. Liza blinked, stunned by the unfolding scene, but quickly followed behind him, her usual defiance replaced by quiet obedience. She knew full well that this man was making a statement on her behalf. As much as she wanted to make his life difficult, now wasn’t the moment to sabotage his carefully orchestrated move. Sophia’s face turned pale, her pupils dilating in disbelief. She called out, her voice trembling with desperation, “Brother Gavin, you’re really leaving? You’d walk away from such an important event for her?” Gavin didn’t bother to spare her a glance. His steps didn’t falter, his resolve unwavering. Meanwhile, George, ever the loyal aide, intercepted Sophia’s path with a practiced smile. “Miss Sophia, as you’ve made it clear that Old Master Reed’s invitation holds no weight, it would be inappropriate for President Gavin to stay. After all, we wouldn’t want to disrespect the rules set by the Reed Family.” He paused for a moment, letting his words sink in before adding with a playful yet cutting tone, “By the way, for anyone who hasn’t entered the banquet hall yet, it might be wise to double-check your invitations. If they turn out to be fake, you wouldn’t want the embarrassment of being thrown out.” Though George’s words were presented as advice, the sarcasm was palpable. It wasn’t clear if he was offering a genuine reminder or delivering a thinly veiled insult. Either way, the message left those around him shifting uncomfortably, and the air grew heavy with awkward silence. With Gavin and Liza gone, the atmosphere outside the banquet hall felt tense, a stark reminder of the consequences of underestimating Gavin—or anyone in his orbit.