Chapter 319: An Unexpected Request
An Unexpected Request
She was none other than the eldest daughter of the Ashbourne family, Felberta Ashbourne.
And the middle-aged man with a few similar features to Bianca De Dominicis was none other than her father, Luka De Dominicis.
For a brief moment, the conference room fell into complete silence.
The cheerful atmosphere created by the dance rehearsal vanished almost instantly. The staff who had been chatting quietly exchanged subtle glances before instinctively lowering their voices. Even Director Miss. Svensson sensed the sudden change in the room and wisely chose not to interrupt.
Luka De Dominicis stood at the doorway with an unreadable expression.
His gaze swept across Julian D’Aurelius and Bianca before lingering on the distance between them—or rather, the lack of it only moments ago.
Luka De Dominicis ranked third within the De Dominicis family. His abilities and business vision were considered fairly ordinary, which meant he had never been especially favored by Patriarch Henrik De Dominicis.
Fortunately, fate had blessed him with a daughter like Bianca De Dominicis.
Bianca’s extraordinary talent in business, coupled with her remarkable achievements at such a young age, had greatly elevated his standing within the household. As the old saying went, a father rises with his daughter’s success.
Even so...
No matter how proud he was of his daughter, seeing her standing so intimately with a man naturally stirred mixed emotions within him.
Especially when that man was Julian D’Aurelius.
In Luka eyes, Julian was undoubtedly among the finest young men of his generation.
Handsome.
Capable.
Born into one of the most influential families.
His future seemed limitless.
If judged solely by his background, almost any father would gladly accept him as a son-in-law.
But there was one problem.
Julian was already engaged.
Luka didn’t want his daughter to become involved in a relationship that lacked certainty.
He wanted her happiness, not a future filled with unanswered questions.
That single thought was enough to leave a bitter taste in his heart.
Seeing it was her father who had arrived, Bianca felt a rare hint of embarrassment.
Her elegant smile became slightly awkward.
Had it been any other executive who barged into the company at such a moment, she would probably have made sure they regretted it before the day was over.
But...
This was her father.
There was nothing she could do.
Julian also felt unexpectedly guilty.
Only a few seconds earlier, he had almost kissed Bianca in front of everyone.
Now he found himself meeting her father’s gaze.
Even someone as thick-skinned as Julian couldn’t pretend nothing had happened.
He forced a polite smile before stepping forward.
"Hello, Uncle Luka."
His tone remained respectful.
Luka looked at him quietly for two seconds before giving a small nod.
"Hello, Julian. Long time no see."
Although his voice was calm, it lacked the warmth Julian usually received from older members of influential families.
It wasn’t hostility.
Nor was it friendliness.
It was simply...
The cautious attitude of a father.
Julian noticed it immediately.
Inside, he couldn’t help feeling slightly helpless.
Looks like Uncle Luka isn’t in a particularly good mood today.
Bianca naturally noticed it as well.
A faint crease appeared between her brows.
What’s going on with Father today?
He normally keeps urging me to find a suitable husband.
Now that Julian is standing here, why does he suddenly look dissatisfied?
She couldn’t understand his reaction.
Still, she chose not to question him immediately.
Instead, she turned toward the elegant young woman standing beside him.
A polite smile returned to her face.
"Miss Felberta, what brings you to Valemont? You didn’t even let me know you were coming. Otherwise, I would’ve arranged for someone to pick you up."
Her tone was courteous yet warm.
She truly hadn’t expected Felberta Ashbourne to appear here today.
Considering the current situation between the Ashbourne family and Blackstone Global Group, it seemed unnecessary for the eldest daughter of the Ashbourne household to make the trip herself.
Felberta’s crimson eyes remained calm.
"I came to handle some matters."
Her answer was brief.
As she spoke, however...
Her gaze occasionally drifted toward Julian.
The movement was incredibly subtle.
Most people in the room failed to notice it.
But Bianca did.
Julian noticed it as well.
Felberta herself hadn’t expected to encounter Julian D’Aurelius inside the De Dominicis Group today.
Originally, she had only intended to accompany Luka.
Running into Julian was an unexpected surprise.
Ever since their previous meeting...
His strange inner thoughts had echoed repeatedly inside her mind.
Everything he had silently predicted about her father’s illness had unfolded exactly as he had thought.
That coincidence was simply too unbelievable.
It made her unable to dismiss him as an ordinary wealthy young master anymore.
Even so...
Her lifelong androphobia remained unchanged.
Although she could hear Julian’s inner thoughts...
Although those thoughts had helped her...
She still found it difficult to become comfortable around men.
She had come to Valemont for only one reason.
Her father’s illness.
After hearing Julian’s thoughts during their last encounter and realizing he seemed to know the hidden truth behind Dario Ashbourne’s condition, she had gradually formed a bold guess.
Perhaps...
Julian possessed a way to cure her father.
If there was even the slightest possibility...
She couldn’t ignore it.
Meanwhile...
Julian noticed Felberta stealing occasional glances in his direction.
Confusion flashed across his face.
Inside his mind, thoughts began racing.
[What’s this woman doing? Why does she keep secretly looking at me?]
[Doesn’t she have androphobia?]
[Could my handsome face actually cure psychological illnesses?]
He almost laughed inwardly.
[Sigh...]
[My irresistible charm truly has no limits.]
[It’s just like how delicious beef balls can cure someone suffering from anorexia.]
[A heart-stealer like me is practically a walking crime against women everywhere.]
Bianca nearly lost control of her expression.
She bit her lower lip to stop herself from laughing.
This shameless guy...
He really has no limit.
Her shoulders trembled ever so slightly.
Only she knew she wasn’t suppressing anger.
She was suppressing laughter.
Felberta, meanwhile, maintained her icy expression as though she hadn’t heard a single word.
Her beautiful face remained perfectly calm.
Only the slightest flicker deep within her eyes hinted that Julian’s shameless self-praise had reached her ears once again.
He’s... exactly the same as before.
Hopelessly narcissistic.
Yet strangely...
She didn’t find it annoying.
She simply chose to ignore it.
Bianca quickly composed herself before speaking again.
"Miss Felberta, since you’re already here, why don’t you rest in my office for a while?"
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