Mistaken Match: Marrying the Enigmatic CEO
Chapter 2222; One Big Family!
On the left side of Chapman Crest Hotel, the grand banquet hall known as Avalon Hall was in full swing.
Unlike the formal, calculated atmosphere on the other side, this gathering felt like a dinner among close friends. There were no pretenses, no political maneuvering, just food, drinks, and a genuinely lively atmosphere, especially with Santiago present.
Everyone here knew about the hunched old man who played a crucial role in destroying the Five Poison Sect.
The West End representatives, in particular, lined up to toast him. Without Santiago, West End Wouldn’t have reached it’s current stability. And Santiago didn’t hold back, anyone who toasted him, he downed an entire bowl of liquor in response. His drinking ability was nothing short of terrifying.
“My God… Is this even real?”
Some of the Nuthana representatives watching from the side were slowly starting to lose their composure.
They had heard rumors about the Five Poison Sect, but their understanding of its power had never been truly tangible. Yet here was an old man who had single handedly crushed it, and now he was drinking entire bottles of liquor without even flinching.
Even more shocking, despite drinking such staggering amounts, he barely showed any signs of intoxication.
A normal person would be running to the restroom after that much liquid. But Santiago? His face had merely taken on a faint flush, and his stomach had only slightly expanded. It simply defied logic.
Seeing their stunned expressions, Shane smirked proudly. “Huh, a bunch of amateurs! You’ve never seen a real master before, have you? My master isn’t just any fighter, he’s Silver Dragon Spear Saint, a warrior even greater than Yorick Doston! His alcohol doesn’t just sit in his belly, it turns into internal strength and strengthens his body! You ordinary folks wouldn’t understand.”
At that, even more people rushed forward, eager to toast Santiago.
Just being able to drink with a legend like him would be something to brag about for years. After all, Yorick had become a household name across Chanaea. From children to the elderly, everyone had heard of him. The mere mention of his name could make kids cry.
He was a Martial Saint from Shoiya, and in the past few months, he had defeated six of Chanaea’s top martial artists. His dominance was so overwhelming that even casual conversations at restaurants or in public restrooms revolved around the same question, who could stop him?
But no matter how the conversation started, it almost always ended with sighs and head shakes of disappointment.
The more people watched videos of his fights on social media, the more Shoiyan narrative spread. An invincible martial artist. A lone warrior crushing Chanaea’s entire martial world. Defeating fighter after fighter. Humiliating Chanaea’s warriors. Stomping out any resistance.
Every day, more and more Chanaeans began idolizing Yorick, much to the frustration of nationalists who wanted nothing more than to see him taken down. But every time they held onto hope, it only led to disappointment.
Even among the representatives present that night, many harbored the same sentiments. So, when they looked at Santiago, they couldn’t help but wonder could this old man be the one to finally challenge Yorick?
“Hahahaha …”
Just as the atmosphere reached its peak, lougter erupted from the entrance, followed by a familiar voice.
“Quite the lively party here! It seems the beautiful chairwomen of Nuthana really knows how to keep the energy up!” Heads turned toward the doorway.
Teddy had arrived, accompanied by Levi.
By his side Veronica, as the host, who also present. Teddy was still the Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce; the Chapman family, with its nationwide business ventures, often had to deal with him.
Behind them, a group of official media reporters had also arrived, cameras in hand.
This was one of Chanaea’s biggest political events, and it was only natural that it would be covered in the news.
The once lively banquet hall fell into an abrupt silence. Frederick leaned in and whispered to Beatrix, “Looks like we’ve found today’s biggest mood killer.”
Beatrix’s expression darkened as she grumbled, “What’s that old b*stard doing here? Smiling like that, he’s definitely a wolf in sheep’s clothing.”
To be fair, this was Mackenzie’s first time meeting Teddy in person. At a glance, he didn’t look like a man of ruthless ambition. In fact, his appearance and demeanor exuded the air of a respectable public servant, making it nearly impossible to tell that he was one of the most dangerous figures in the room.
With Emmanuel by her side, she maintained a poised, diplomatic smile as she stepped forward and said, “Mr. Tanner, you flatter me. As chairwomen of the Nuthana Chamber of Commerce, it’s only right that I arrange a simple meal for everyone.”
“Ah, I see!” Teddy’s smile never wavered. “We’re all colleagues here, gathered in Zovince from far and wide. How about a toast together?”
If not for the history between them, Mackenzie might have mistaken him for a genuinely cordial man. He was the epitome of a smiling fox, flawless in his public persona.
“Since you insist, Mr. Tanner, it would be rude to refuse,” Mackenzie replied, keeping up appearances. With media camera rolling, she had no reason to outright reject his gesture, Regardless of the next day’s election outcome, public perception mattered, there should be no open hostility, only an image of civility and unity.
Emmanuel knew that Teddy wasn’t here to cause trouble, just to go through the political motions. At most, he’s subtly try to sway a few votes, but that wouldn’t make much of a difference. So, Emmanuel didn’t interfere.
Even Quintus, notorious far his bad temper, wasn’t interested in starting trouble, mainly because Aora wasn’t here. If this was just an official event, he couldn’t be bothered.
Teddy mingled with the guests, exchanging drinks and small talk with various representatives. Eventually, his gaze landed on Santiago, and his expressions shifted to one of nostalgia.
“Santiago! Is that really you? It’s been so long!”
To everyone’s shock, Teddy suddenly rushed forward and embraced the hunched old man, looking genuinely emotional.
Santiago, unfazed, simply chuckled and allowed the embrace. He had always been a man who enjoyed affection, whether from enemies or allies.
But standing off to the side, Fredrick and Shane were completely stunned.
Frederick muttered in disbelief, “Wait…so after all this time, the big bad villan we’ve been fighting is actually family? Are we all just on big happy clan?”
“D*mn it!” Beatrix couldn’t help but roll her eyes. “Stanley Milgram was right though six people, you can be connected to anyone in this world. Apparently, that even includes long lost relatives!”
Emmanuel, however, was the one feeling the most conflicted. The man responsible for the deaths of his fallen Wolf Warrior brothers turned out to be his master’s brother in law.
Santiago had never once mentioned his wife’s family, so Emmanuel had never made the connection. But that didn’t change a thing. This revelation had no impact on his determination to bring Teddy down.
So, in moments, his attention shifted from Teddy and Santiago’s conversation to something far more concerning-Levi.
The man had approached Mackenzie alone. Then, right in front of her, he handed her a gift.
What the hell?!
Without hesitation, Emmanuel strode toward them. Just as he reached them, Levi turned to leave, almost as if he had timed his exist perfectly, “I shall take my leave now, Ms. Quillen.”
Emmanuel’s gaze darkened as he turned to his wife, “Mackenzie, what was that about? Did he just give you a gift?”
“Not him, It was from another man.” Mackenzie explained, looking both amused and helpless. But before Emmanuel could ask further, she added, “It’s a New Year’s gift from Gautier.”
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