Chapter 26: No Invitation...

"Hey, what are you up to? Wait for me to come along!"

Benjamin couldn't help but feel anxious as he saw Isabella suddenly heading straight towards Radley, who was surrounded by a crowd of people. He quickly sped up to catch up with her.

"Apologies, everyone. Today, Mr. Radley will only entertain guests with invitations. As for the rest of you, please forgive us for any inconvenience. Our host will make arrangements for you later during the event. We will have a chance to chat in a future gathering."

Seeing the crowd pushing towards them, Radley's bodyguards hurriedly shouted and moved all the guests out. Only a few guests were allowed to stay and engage in conversation with Radley.

Isabella couldn't help but frown at the situation, as she hadn't received an invitation. However, just as she was disappointed and unsure how to handle the situation, Beckham and Heulwen approached, smiling toward Radley.

"Hello, Mr. Radley. Allow me to introduce ourselves. This is my fiancé, the son of the city's secretary. I am Heulwen, the deputy general manager of Ruby XH Corporation."

Upon seeing the two, many people in the crowd hastily made way for them. Radley seemed enthusiastic towards Beckham and Heulwen, quickly shaking hands and speaking with them.

"It's truly an honor to meet both of you. I used to do business with your father. I met you once when you were a child. I wonder if you remember an old uncle like me?"

Radley's attitude towards Heulwen was friendly, making Isabella even more uneasy. However, Beckham and Heulwen had now inserted themselves between Radley and her, so she had no choice but to watch them converse helplessly.

"Of course, I remember you, uncle. How could I forget? Mr. Radley, today marks your first visit to your hometown after over twenty years. On behalf of my father, I would like to invite you to our home. Would that be okay?"

Upon hearing Heulwen's words, everyone present couldn't help but admire them. They all knew that with Radley's current status and position, inviting him to a gathering at their home would not only be a social event but could also bring significant benefits.

Radley waited to respond to Heulwen's enthusiasm. Instead, his gaze turned to Beckham, the son of the city secretary of New Harbor.

"Ah, are you Beckham, the son of the city secretary? I remember my house was just a few alleys away from the secretary's. Back then, you were just a skinny, dark-skinned child. Moreover, your father and I have been close friends since childhood. Unfortunately, we haven't had time to keep in touch after moving abroad. If there's an opportunity, I hope to chat with your father."

Hearing Radley's words, Heulwen's face immediately lit up with ecstatic joy. Although he hadn't directly accepted her invitation, Radley's desire to visit Beckham's home was essentially an indirect acceptance of her invitation.

Of course, Beckham also understood the gravity of the situation and quickly nodded in agreement.

"Yes, of course. My father and I will be more than happy to welcome you to our home."

Radley didn't seem too surprised by Beckham's enthusiastic response, but there was a hint of arrogance in his eyes. His relationship with Beckham's father hadn't been too good. The two had clashed over a mutual first love, nearly coming to blows in a significant fight.

However, that was just a distant memory, and Radley had no intention of bringing it up again. For him, this return to his homeland held immense significance as he had to carry out a vital mission for his organization, quickly establishing himself in New Harbor City. And father and son Beckham were essential targets for him to accomplish his first task.

"Ladies and gentlemen, if you have no more invitations, my boss would like to arrange a meeting with you after today's party. For our distinguished guests who do have invitations, please join us upstairs. Our boss has prepared a banquet there, and you can continue your conversations."

Seeing that the situation in the courtyard had stabilized, a female secretary accompanying Radley addressed the crowd with a smile.

As soon as she finished speaking, everyone presents showed a disappointed expression. However, having been asked to leave, they could not shamelessly linger.

But Isabella couldn't help herself, rushing forward and shouting.

"Wait!"

Her shout instantly drew astonished looks from everyone present. No one had expected someone to stand up and stop Radley.

"I apologize, but do you have an invitation, miss? If you don't, we can arrange a meeting another day. Our boss will be available to meet with everyone later."

Although the sudden interruption had made the atmosphere slightly awkward, the secretary was an experienced individual. Her words were gentle and understanding, accompanied by a natural smile that showed no signs of strain.

Seeing this, Isabella's face became even more distressed. However, if she couldn't meet with Radley today, her company's entire plan for the upcoming project would be utterly ruined. Especially given that the On The Peak corporation was in a precarious situation. All her hopes rested on this project and collaborating with Radley.

Thus, despite her hesitation, Isabella stubbornly gritted her teeth, determined to approach Radley for a conversation.

However, before she could step forward, Heulwen moved before her, effectively blocking her path.

"Oh, Isabella, do you also have an invitation from Mr. Radley? That's great! Hurry up and show your invitation. Later on, we'll have a chance to chat privately."

Upon hearing Heulwen's words, Isabella's expression became even more unpleasant. The fact was, she didn't have an invitation. If she did, she wouldn't have been standing there, hesitating for so long.

"Oh, don't tell me you don't have an invitation? In that case, how can you be allowed in? Oh, I almost forgot, your family's On The Peak Corporation has been losing money for years, and it has dropped out of the top ten leading corporations in the city. Mr. Radley only sent invitations to the top ten corporations. How could your company possibly receive one?"

This time, Heulwen's voice was loud, and everyone present could hear her. Her words made Radley and his secretary visibly uncomfortable. After all, he didn't have much time to entertain people like Isabella. His goal was to target the city's top corporations so that his plans could be quickly accomplished.

Seeing this, Heulwen's smile grew even brighter. However, Beckham seemed annoyed and wanted to pull his fiancée away.

"Ha ha ha, I'm so embarrassed! I was a bit late due to some matters. Radley, you won't blame me, will you?"

At that moment, a loud laugh rang out in the hotel's grand hall. Following the laughter, a middle-aged man with a cheerful face, accompanied by several tall and sturdy men with tattoos, entered from the outside. As everyone saw this group, their faces became tense. Beckham, in particular, looked terrified.

Tiger brought these people. Initially, he didn't want to attend Radley's party. However, after hearing from his subordinates that Benjamin had come here with a woman, he changed his mind and hurried over with his men.

Tiger's appearance delighted Radley, and he was highly enthusiastic.

"Mr. Tiger, so you finally decided to come? I've been waiting for you for quite some time!"

"Ha ha ha, Radley, don't be so polite. A small fry like me, how could I deserve your attention?"

"No, no! In this city, having Mr. Tiger attend my celebration party is an honor for me!"

"Ha ha ha!"

As the two of them exchanged pleasantries, all the guests present couldn't help but widen their eyes in astonishment. Of course, seeing Radley's attitude towards Tiger, Beckham's expression became even more sullen.

Tiger was not only a powerful boss in the city, but he was also involved in several illegal businesses, which gave Beckham's father a headache. However, Tiger had strong backing, and even Beckham's father dared not do anything to him. Therefore, every time Beckham saw this man, he felt extremely uncomfortable.

"Oh, isn't this the son of the secretary? Mr. Radley, you even invited the secretary's son to the party? I heard the secretary once had a conflict with you over a woman, forcing you to live abroad. So, Mr. Radley, will you not bring up the past with them anymore?"