Their voices rang out loud and clear, making it obvious just how delighted they were. Zane had been keeping an eye on the entrance. The moment he saw Spencer and Nancy actually show up, he immediately stood up and strode toward them. His excitement was apparent in his hurried steps. To an outsider, it might have looked like he was greeting old friends with enthusiasm. Before Spencer and Nancy could even speak, Zane’s voice rang out. “Spencer, Nancy, welcome!” He had already reached them. “Spencer, Nancy, I didn’t expect you both to do us the honor of attending. With you here, this banquet is sure to be much livelier!” Zane’s smile was full of hidden meaning, yet his expression remained warm and inviting. He quickly gestured for them to enter, as if afraid they would change their minds and leave. The commotion caught the attention of the surrounding guests, and soon, all eyes were on them. Many in attendance knew about how Nancy Walker had competed for a project that Stephen had put up for bidding. In the end, the fallout between their families had been dramatic—Walker Group, despite having a strong chance of winning, was abruptly rejected by Stephen. He even went as far as publicly declaring that he would never work with them again. The entire business circle of Seacity had been buzzing about it. Everyone knew the real reason: Arthur had clashed with Maris, which led to Stephen taking revenge by cutting off all ties with the Walkers. Some people believed Stephen was abusing his power for personal grudges, arguing that government projects shouldn’t be used as weapons for petty feuds. Others felt that Stephen was justified. After all, Maris had been severely injured, suffering a fractured hand because of Arthur. As an older brother, wasn’t it normal for Stephen to take revenge? But those who had attended that fateful banquet knew the truth—Maris had provoked Arthur and Ashley first. He had thrown the first punch. To many, Maris had simply gotten what he deserved. However, the Yarbrough family was powerful. Even the prestigious Gibson family had been cut off with just a single word from Stephen. How many people here truly dared to risk angering the Yarbroughs? At best, they could gossip about it in private. Out in the open, they had no choice but to turn a blind eye and enjoy the show. Now, seeing the overly warm smiles of the Yarbroughs, the guests immediately picked up on the tension. There was something entertaining brewing here. Many exchanged subtle glances, their gazes flickering toward Spencer and Nancy, waiting to see how things would unfold. Spencer and Nancy exchanged a glance and smiled. Without saying much, they accepted Zane’s invitation and walked into the banquet hall with composure. Watching their retreating figures, Maris and Stephen struggled to contain their smirks. How clueless can they be? They know this is a trap, yet they still walked right in! No wonder their father lost to ours! Once everyone was seated, Stephen, as the host, wasted no time stepping onto the stage to give his opening speech. He carried himself with the polished elegance of a young heir. “First of all, I’d like to thank all our esteemed guests for attending this celebration of our successful bid.” When he said successful bid, he deliberately emphasized the words, his voice filled with smug satisfaction. After speaking, he made a point to glance at Spencer and Nancy. Yet, disappointingly, there was no trace of anger on their faces. Hmph. No matter. There’s still more to come. Let’s see how long they can keep their cool. The person who had won the bid this time was none other than Stephen’s cousin—Luke. Luke was merely running a small company, handed to him by the family as a way to gain experience after his recent graduation. The only reason he secured the bid was because of his connection to Stephen.With the Yarbrough family’s influence, Luke had been Stephen and Maris’s loyal follower since childhood. Luke had gone to great lengths to win this bid, putting in significant effort with the two brothers. Interestingly, during the previous altercation involving Arthur, Luke had also been among those who attacked him. However, whether by luck or careful maneuvering, he had been the least injured of the group. Somehow, despite the brutal fight, he had managed to escape with only minor wounds. And now, just a few days later, he was already fully recovered and standing here, celebrating his victory. Aside from the Yarbrough family, Luke was the main star of the night. After Stephen finished his polite formalities, he handed the microphone to Luke. Despite his youth, Luke had grown up in privilege, and he carried himself with a certain charm. He certainly looked the part of a refined young gentleman. However, the arrogance in his expression made him seem shallow and insincere. Wasting no time, Luke took the mic and grinned. “This achievement wouldn’t have been possible without the help of Arthur Gray!” The moment the name Arthur Gray was spoken, the entire room erupted into murmurs. Did he just openly declare war on the Gibson family? Sensing the incoming drama, the guests immediately perked up, eager to witness the spectacle unfold.