"Wasn’t there time to notify?" Adrian Jennings glanced at his watch, "It’s getting late, I need to grab the files and leave quickly." The expression on the Rhodes matriarch’s face showed displeasure, her tone carried a hint of reproach, "Eat dinner before you go, if anything happens I’ll cover for you." "How could that be possible," Adrian remained indifferent, "You alone can’t represent the company, just wait, you’ll soon receive a call to go back for a board meeting." After speaking, Adrian left everyone in the hall behind, heading upstairs as if no one else was there. Downstairs, several members of the Kingsley Family exchanged glances. Mr. Kingsley was the first to speak, "Madam, does Adrian not know that today’s dinner was arranged for our families to formally introduce him to Shirley?" Though Mr. Kingsley was two years older than the Rhodes matriarch, he had to address her respectfully as "Madam" due to her status. Mr. Kingsley’s words were fairly tactful. The matriarch’s displeasure was evident, "Madam, what does your grandson mean by this? Shirley is standing right in front of him and he doesn’t even greet her. Is he pretending not to know or truly unaware of the significance of today’s dinner?" Selina Hughes lowered her head to hide the mockery in her eyes, internally criticizing: Your granddaughter isn’t worth my brother’s greeting. Eagerly throwing herself at him, is she desperate for marriage? Though the Rhodes matriarch was publicly disrespected by her grandson, she maintained a forced smile in front of the Kingsley family’s questioning, "You’re mistaken, my grandson was probably in a hurry to get something from the study and didn’t have time to greet anyone. I’ll formally introduce Shirley to him when he comes downstairs." The Kingsley matriarch wanted to say more but was stopped by a stern look from Mr. Kingsley. Selina Hughes, sitting beside the Rhodes matriarch, accidentally locked eyes with Shirley Kingsley. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ novèlfire.net Shirley flashed a polite smile. Selina felt a strong pang of jealousy and refused to even feign friendliness, coldly looking away. Shirley’s smile became slightly awkward, wondering why the Rhodes family’s adopted daughter seemed to have an inexplicable hostility towards her. Adrian Jennings made a phone call. Ten minutes later, the Rhodes matriarch and Ian Jennings downstairs received calls about a group emergency requiring a board meeting. Ian understood it was the handiwork of his own son. Previously, the old patriarch had officially transferred the family leadership to Adrian Jennings, and Ian had handed over the group’s affairs to Adrian as per the patriarch’s orders. Now, Adrian Jennings was the one with the most authority at the Jennings Group. The matriarch hung up the phone, her face turning pale, it seemed she couldn’t control her grandson. The Kingsley matriarch, noticing her change in expression, asked, "Madam, has anything happened?" The Rhodes matriarch regained composure, her demeanor slightly cold. She could choose not to attend the board meeting, and she wasn’t concerned about any projects. Her only concern was Adrian Jennings’ lifelong matter. But once this call was answered, Adrian had a valid excuse to avoid the blind date today. The Rhodes matriarch replied, "Nothing’s wrong, Adrian mentioned a company emergency just now, and I indeed received a call." The Kingsley matriarch and Mr. Kingsley exchanged a glance before speaking, "Then..." Shirley’s expression subtly tightened. Was her anticipated blind date going to perish just like that? As they spoke, Adrian had already grabbed his files and was walking toward the door as if no one else was there. "Adrian, stop," the Rhodes matriarch spoke sternly. Adrian turned back, raising the file folder, "Grandma, you also received the call, right? I’m really not lying, I’m truly busy." The Rhodes matriarch spoke sharply, "Don’t assume I don’t know you arranged that call, don’t play dumb with me, you must attend today’s dinner!" Adrian stopped, looked at the matriarch with calm composure, "Alright, then I won’t play dumb." He turned to Shirley, his tone cold, "Hello, I’m Adrian Jennings, but I’m not interested in blind dates—I was unaware of this event, and I have no plans to date or marry at present. So don’t waste your time on me." Shirley’s face turned pale. Adrian finished speaking and left without caring about anyone’s reaction. "You—you stop right there! Adrian Jennings!" the Rhodes matriarch shouted angrily. Adrian didn’t have the slightest pause in his steps, his figure quickly disappearing from everyone’s sight. The Kingsley family was furious. Mr. Kingsley was so angry his chest heaved violently, "No matter how powerful the Jennings family is, this is no way to bully people. It’s your family who invited us over and suggested a blind date between the children, yet we’re left chasing after you?" The Rhodes matriarch was vexed, losing all the composure she had earlier. Melinda Lynch, the daughter-in-law, apologized, "Adrian was wrong in this matter, truly sorry, please don’t be upset." The Kingsley family members voiced their grievances, causing a chaotic uproar, which was finally quelled by a large compensation from the Rhodes matriarch. It wasn’t that the Rhodes family particularly cared about the Kingsley’s feelings, but rather the matriarch held her reputation highly, knowing the fault was theirs, she only apologized for appearances sake, lest it became publicly known, tarnishing her reputation. Originally planning to trick Adrian back with a fait accompli that he couldn’t refuse, making him obediently participate in the blind date, they hadn’t expected him to refuse even a superficial effort. After finally sending off the Kingsley family, the Rhodes matriarch ran to complain to the old patriarch. "Look at the mess your grandson made today, giving me no face in front of so many Kingsley family members," she said. The old patriarch was sitting at his desk reading a newspaper, not even lifting his eyes, "I told you, after our family broke off with the Palmer family, don’t rush to arrange a blind date for Adrian, but you wouldn’t listen." "How can I not be anxious? Adrian is turning twenty-nine soon, and some of his contemporaries have children old enough to shop for sauces," she replied. The old patriarch calmly turned the newspaper page, "Really? I recall that the Donovan boy and the Quinn boy who are close with Adrian still aren’t married." The Rhodes matriarch wasn’t pleased, shot a glare at the patriarch, "Comparing him to the wrong crowd, look at the Palmer and Palmer families, their great-grandchildren are calling Grandma." The old patriarch smiled helplessly, "Why are you worrying unnecessarily, Adrian knows what he’s doing, I still think he’s best suited with the Rhodes Family girl, once Fletcher’s matter is resolved, it’ll be ideal for him to reunite with her." The Rhodes matriarch shook her head, "No way, I don’t like that girl from the Rhodes Family, her sharp teeth and tongue as a lawyer have opposed me several times—does she even see me as her elder?" The old patriarch glanced at her coolly, "May I ask why you’re picking fights with the younger generation?" The Rhodes matriarch grumbled, ready to argue with the old patriarch. The old patriarch was annoyed beyond measure, unable to chase her away, decided to leave himself.