Cupid's Arrow hit me hard!

"Your mom is getting older, busy with work, and her thoughts are all wrapped up in the company and fostering Caroline. She hasn't paid attention to me. Although I'm also getting older, my health is fine, and I still have some needs. She doesn't fulfill her duties as a wife and doesn't even let me have a quickie."

Hunter, perhaps due to the alcohol or frustration with his wife, vented all his dissatisfaction to his daughter.

Seeing her father's painful and angry state, Celine involuntarily sat down to drink and kept him company.

She still sympathized with her father.

Downstairs, the banquet was lively, but her father had to hide upstairs, unwilling to face people; just because he made the mistakes many men do.

The guests downstairs were also uncomfortable, mainly due to the addition of three esteemed guests.

They could not grasp why Belinda organized this banquet. The atmosphere lacked liveliness.

"Liberty, what kind of business are you planning to invest in?" Belinda asked, seemingly concerned.

Deep down, however, she intended to thwart Liberty's business no matter what it was to ensure Liberty would not gain a foothold in Jensburg or become wealthy here.

She absolutely could not let Liberty be someone of wealth in Jensburg.

Belinda was aware of what her family thought of her. They might use Liberty against her, possibly even genuinely supporting her.

"I'm not sure yet. I need to explore. Business these days is tough. You have to survey the market before making decisions."

Liberty was not entirely truthful, but it left Belinda speechless.

She replied, "Yes, it's true. Businesses nowadays are incredibly tough. Even Fisher Enterprise's business is declining. Not just us, I presume Queen Enterprise might also be facing some decline." Belinda glanced at Hayden.

Hayden, however, stayed composed, neither responding nor acknowledging Belinda's statement.

Hayden knew the state of the Queen Enterprise. She did not have to explain anything to Belinda.

Even if it was in decline, it could still surpass Fisher Enterprise.

"Mr. Queen, I'm quite interested in that project in your western suburbs. I wonder if we could discuss collaboration?"

Belinda changed the topic, suddenly discussing partnerships with Queen Enterprise.

Hayden remained cold, her voice deep and chilly. "Madam Fisher says that Queen Enterprise has been on the decline and perhaps isn't suitable for collaboration with the Fishers."

Belinda hesitated for a moment, then smiled. "Business is tough nowadays, a fact everyone is aware of. Even major conglomerates face their own challenges. Hayden is the one in charge of Queen Enterprise, and understands this better than I do. However, even if your company has experienced a decline, they're still the big shots in Jensburg's business world, something our small conglomerate can't compare to." Hayden did not respond to Belinda, instead, she raised her glass toward Caroline.

Caroline also raised her glass and clinked it with Hayden's before they both emptied their glasses.

Kevin then served some food to Hayden and said gently, "Hayden, don't just focus on drinking; eat more to prevent getting drunk."

Hayden placed her glass on the table. Liberty, who was sitting beside her, took the wine bottle and refilled the glass with wine before doing it for herself.

"Ms. Liberty can learn about Queen's project in the western suburbs of Jensburg. If you're interested, we are happy to collaborate."

Hayden rejected business talks with Fisher Enterprise but turned around to discuss collaboration and investment matters with Liberty. This humiliated Belinda.