Chapter 221 - 220: The Noble Young Master with a Full Sleeve Tattoo

Jones Manor.

Today was the day Cole would make his official return to high society after a ten-year absence.

Representatives from Country A’s most prominent families and corporations had gathered, all eager to size up this new Family Head who had appeared out of nowhere. They wanted to see if it was worth continuing or developing their partnerships with the Jones Family.

Or perhaps... a marriage alliance? After all, he was backed by the Jones Family and the Duchy of Aeridor. Even if he were just an empty suit, an alliance would still be a boon to their families.

With this in mind, as they mingled and clinked glasses, their gazes would often drift to the young man socializing by Old Man Cole’s side. Some of the bolder ones even went up to strike up a conversation.

Cole paid no mind to their scrutinizing gazes. ’They’re just a bunch of walking, talking vegetables, mesmerized by my handsome face,’ he thought.

Still, he couldn’t help but sigh internally. ’Tsk, it’s all because of this damned charm of mine.’

After introducing Cole to a few partners with whom they had stable relationships, Old Man Cole led him over to chat with the heads of several friendly families.

Cole showed no signs of being intimidated, remaining composed and perfectly at ease in front of the pack of old foxes.

This demeanor earned him quite a few points in many people’s books.

Just then, an Asian man entered the banquet hall, drawing the attention of many, including Old Man Cole.

Old Man Cole’s cloudy eyes lit up. After excusing himself from the other old-timers, he led Cole over.

"Hey, Lowell! You finally made it!"

The newcomer was none other than Caleb Lowell. After taking over the Lowell Group, Caleb had aggressively expanded the company’s overseas market.

He had partnerships with numerous famous overseas enterprises, the Jones Family being one of them.

And after the news broke that the chairman of Pluto was the Lowell family’s only daughter, the Lowell Group’s overseas business soared to new heights, working Caleb to the bone.

Caleb politely extended his right hand and shook Old Man Cole’s. "Elder Cole."

The reason he had come today was partly out of politeness, and partly for the same reason as everyone else: to size up the new Family Head.

But before Old Man Cole could even make the introduction, Cole took the initiative to greet him. "Hello, Mr. Lowell. I’m Cole."

It wasn’t just Caleb who was surprised; even Old Man Cole found it incredible.

’This little rascal wasn’t nearly this proactive a moment ago,’ he thought. ’Sure, he was polite, but only to the extent of not letting the conversation drop.’

Standing right next to Cole, how could he not notice the change in his attitude?

’What’s gotten into him? Does business these days depend on looks? Are only good-looking people his own age worthy of this little rascal’s attention?’

Caleb glanced sideways at the young man, who was about his age and had greeted him in the Aurelian language.

"I didn’t realize Mr. Cole could speak Aurelian."

"Of course. My best friend is from Kingsland, Aurelia. I learned the language from her," Cole said with a sincere smile.

A flicker of surprise crossed Caleb’s eyes. "Is that so? Perhaps I know her."

"I’m not too sure about that, but she’ll be here in a little while. You’ll know when you see her," Cole said with a smile, not elaborating further.

Hearing this, Caleb didn’t press the issue and instead began discussing their companies’ collaboration.

Caleb’s impression of the new Family Head was quite good. He was sincere and polite without being fawning.

Although Caleb didn’t understand the source of the man’s goodwill toward him, his judgment of character wasn’t terrible. At the very least, this seemed like someone he could befriend on a personal level.

The banquet hadn’t officially started yet anyway. Seeing that they were getting along so well, Old Man Cole left them to it and went to shoot the breeze with his other old cronies.

After all, his dear grandson getting on good terms with the Lowell Group was all gain and no pain for their family.

Outside the manor, Yvonne Lowell stepped out of the car, taking Leo Grant’s hand. She then looped her arm through his as they walked into the banquet hall.

From where Cole and Caleb were talking, they had a direct view of the banquet hall’s main entrance.

So, the moment the pair walked in, Caleb saw his dear sister, whom he hadn’t seen in a while, accompanied by his "good buddy."

’Why is Nola here too? Is Pluto even interested in the small-time business the Jones Family does?’

Following his gaze, a sly glint appeared in Cole’s eyes. "Mr. Lowell, my friend from Aurelia is here. Shall we go over and say hello?"

Caleb froze for a second. "The best friend you mentioned is...?"

Cole raised an eyebrow. "Your sister. This is the sixth year we’ve known each other."

Caleb lowered his eyes and chuckled. ’So that’s where the goodwill came from. What a small world...’

"Shall we go say hello together?" Caleb offered.

"Of course."

The two exchanged a look and started walking in their direction.

And so, the most prominent Asian faces in the hall met in the middle of the banquet.

There were many other Asians at the banquet, but none of them had a more powerful background.

The mere presence of the President of the Lowell Group and the Chairman of Pluto—a brother and sister duo—was stunning enough.

Unbeknownst to Cole himself, his status in the eyes of those capitalists had just risen by several notches.

Caleb stopped in front of the young woman. "Nola?"

"President Lowell, what a coincidence. I didn’t expect to see you here," Yvonne Lowell said, raising an eyebrow with a teasing tone.

"Indeed. We have a partnership with the Jones Family. Is Director Lowell here for the same reason?"

Caleb shot her a helpless glance. ’Such a drama queen.’

Cole couldn’t help but twitch his lips. ’Do these two siblings always enjoy putting on a show wherever they go?’

"No partnership, we’re just friends. But the Lowell Group can definitely continue to work with him. This kid is as good as they come."

The Lowell Group’s business empire did indeed have overlaps with the Jones Family’s industries, but Yvonne mentioned it anyway, just in case Cole’s devil-may-care attitude scared off the business.

Cole: ’Waaah, is this the joy of being validated? I’m so touched! So happy!’

Caleb: ’Just as I thought. Pluto really doesn’t care about such small potatoes.’

The banquet officially began, and Old Man Cole called Cole up on stage to address the guests.

You had to admit, with that serious front he was putting on, he really did have the air of a man in power.

Meanwhile, in the audience, Yvonne was secretly gossiping about him with Caleb.

"Brother, let me tell you a secret," she whispered. "That kid is probably the first aristocratic young master in history to sport a full-sleeve tattoo and a love for flip-flops."

Caleb gave the man on stage—who looked nothing like his sister’s description—a skeptical glance. He then turned to Leo Grant, as if seeking confirmation.

Leo shot Yvonne a look of fond exasperation and nodded. "It’s true. He also likes to wear a gold chain thicker than your thumb around his neck."

’Alright then,’ Caleb thought, privately digesting this piece of gossip.

Remembering what Cole had told him earlier, he then asked,

"Nola, Cole said he’s known you for six years. What’s that about?"