?Chapter 209:


    Elena felt the weight of his hand. Her eyes darted to it, murmuring, “Mr. Spencer…”


    He promptly withdrew his hand.


    As Elena stood, she adjusted her blouse over her waist and leaned back with a carefree smile.


    “Mr. Spencer, you’re not just good-looking. You’re also the CEO of the Spencer Group. Of course, I’d want to be friends with you.”


    Her tousled attire and softly flushed cheeks made her even more captivating under the dim lights.


    Wesley sensed a deeper meaning in her words. He remained silent, merely adjusting his position. His legs, once rxed, now crossed as his frame tensed slightly.


    Elena considered for a moment and thought asking for something might soften someone as guarded as Wesley.


    “Mr. Spencer, your grandfather’s eightieth birthday ising up. Might I receive an invitation?”


    Wesley was unlikely to refuse. Regardless of her request, the Harper family would be invited due to their longstanding ties with the Spencer family.


    Feeling the atmosphere turn strange, Elena decided it was time to leave. “Mr. Spencer, I need to use the restroom.”


    After she exited, the lingering warmth on her face finally dissipated— it must have been too stuffy in there.


    Elena, having just washed her face, walked past an open room and caught a glimpse of someone she recognized.


    Inside, Darren was socializing with a group of about six people from the’s elite circle, including Theo.


    Elena wondered why Theo had hung out with Darren but dismissed it as irrelevant and continued forward without a change in expression.


    Despite not fully recovering from his head injuries, Theo had ventured out to attend the social event organized by Darren.


    As soon as Elena spotted Darren, he noticed her presence and was taken aback.


    Darren had invested heavily in this social event and invited Theo out, aiming to mitigate a crisis at hispany.


    Initially, Darren had hoped Sylvia would reveal She’s whereabouts as leverage against Elena. Unexpectedly, Sylvia proved ineffective, unwittingly letting Elena locate She first and even facilitate her return home.


    With that route closed off, Darren had no choice but to find a way to connect with the Spencer family.


    Reaching someone like Wesley was out of the question, and with Joseph unresponsive, Darren’s only option was to approach Theo in hopes of getting invited to Gerald’s uing birthday celebration.


    The cost of meeting Theo had already run into the hundreds of thousands. The group Darren had invited spent the evening drinking excessively and engaging partypanions, yet Theo seemed to have no intention of extending an invitation. Their conversation even hinted at a possible venture into using drugs.


    Maintaining a facade of cheerfulness, Darren’s patience was wearing thin. Upon spotting Elena, he quickly pursued her.


    “Elena, wait!” Darren called out as he caught up to her and grasped her wrist.


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