Chapter 500: Chapter 500

Someone spotted the newcomer and immediately raised their glass, stepping forward to greet him.

In the past, people might have wondered which "President Mega" had arrived.

But now, everyone knew. From this moment on, in all of Country E, there was—and would only ever be—one President Mega.

The very same man they had once dismissed, even looked down upon as nothing more than an illegitimate son.

Under the collective gaze of the crowd, a pale yet strikingly handsome young man was wheeled slowly into the grand hall on an electric wheelchair.

Despite being seated, his posture was as straight and dignified as a pine tree, devoid of the gloom or resignation often associated with those who couldn’t walk.

Instead, he exuded an air of refined elegance.

Many women’s eyes lingered on his legs, clad in dark tailored suit pants, their hearts whispering silent regret.

A man with such looks, intellect, and capability—yet tragically disabled.

Behind his silver, rimless glasses, Stephen’s deep-set eyes swept the room, but he didn’t find the person he was looking for.

The corners of his slightly pale lips curled into a faint smile.

Seems he’d arrived too early. After the incident with the Mega family, everyone came to realize the truth.

Beneath Stephen’s gentle and unassuming facade lay a brutality so ruthless that even his own blood relatives weren’t spared.

Yet, despite their private thoughts, social niceties had to be observed.

"Mr. Mega, I’ve long admired your reputation."

"Mr. Mega, it’s been a while—how have you been?"

"Just a few days apart, and you’ve grown even more distinguished, Mr. Mega."

... Many raised their glasses, smiling as they approached Stephen.

"You flatter me," he replied, lifting the wineglass a server had handed him in a casual toast.

His expression remained amiable, but his eyes held an unfathomable darkness.

After two rounds of drinks, the conversation inevitably turned to business.

"Mr. Mega, any interest in investing in the tech sector?"

"I’ve got a proposal—wondering if you’d be open to collaboration?"

... Money and deals—the eternal themes of social gatherings.

Stephen’s smile remained warm and pleasant, yet his words were as guarded as ever, leaving no room for underestimation.

Nearby, the fountain’s shimmering waters reflected scenes of clinking glasses and extravagant indulgence.

Time slipped by unnoticed.

Before long, the crowd took notice of Mr. and Mrs. Bernardo making their entrance.

"President Bernardo, Mrs. Bernardo—finally, you’ve arrived!"

"President Bernardo, you’re positively glowing with good fortune.

"Mrs. Bernardo, you look as youthful as ever."

"And where are the two young ladies?" ...

The Bernardo family’s status and influence in Country E were indeed formidable.

But then again, who among the guests tonight was ordinary?

Their enthusiasm for the Bernardo family wasn’t solely due to the Bernardo name—it was Harrison family, their soon-to-be in-laws, that truly commanded attention.

Amid the crowd, Stephen watched the couple with quiet amusement, the curve of his lips deepening with an inscrutable meaning.

Yet another gaze lingered on Mr. and Mrs. Bernardo—cold and sharp as winter steel. Harrison’s in-laws.

Mr. Thomas sneered inwardly.

Mr. Thomas couldn’t easily take action against the Harrison family, but when it came to the Bernardo family, he didn’t have to hold back. However—

Mr. Thomas glanced toward the entrance.

Why hadn’t he arrived yet?

The official start of the gala was drawing near, and most of the guests had already arrived.

The only ones missing were the three major families and a few other distinguished guests whose identities remained unknown—though everyone understood the unspoken rule.

The higher the status, the later the arrival.

No one found it the least bit unusual.

Soon, another wave of excitement rippled through the entrance.

A sleek silver Pagani pulled to a stop, instantly drawing the attention of the media.

And for good reason—everyone knew whose multi-million-dollar supercar this was.

A man in a subtly patterned double-breasted suit stepped out from the driver’s seat.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, his long legs carried him to the other side, where he opened the passenger door.

Reporters and photographers immediately raised their cameras, waiting for the occupant to emerge.

A pair of shimmering silver evening shoes stepped out.

Under the dazzling lights, they gleamed like stars.

Harrison extended his hand gallantly toward the figure inside the car.

Juliet placed her hand in his and stepped out gracefully.

Her champagne-colored gown, embroidered with golden threads that shimmered like flowing light, draped over her like a cascade of stars under the dazzling lights.

Her makeup was flawless, her long curls half-tied at the back, revealing the elegant curve of her porcelain neck adorned with an exquisite necklace—a masterpiece of dozens of meticulously set, top-tier diamonds.

Sweet yet refined, she carried an air of gentle nobility.

"Your parents should have already arrived," Harrison said, his gaze softening as he took in her radiant appearance.

"Alright," Juliet replied with a poised smile, linking her arm with his.

Guided by the butler, the two made their way toward the grand hall.

Their striking presence together sent the media into a frenzy, cameras flashing relentlessly to capture the perfect shot.

The engagement between the Harrison and Bernardo families was common knowledge among many.

However, only a small circle within high society was aware that Harrison had switched fiancées.

As a result, most media outlets remained in the dark.

"Isn’t that Miss Queen, Harrison’s fiancée? She seems... different from usual?"

"Miss Queen, could you look this way, please?"

Given the upscale nature of the event, no one dared to raise their voices—even discussions were hushed whispers.

That made the occasional louder remark stand out all the more.

Juliet’s steps faltered for the briefest moment at the words, the gentle smile on her face wavering.

The one thing she despised most in life was being mistaken for Queen.

"Don’t let it bother you," Harrison murmured, sensing her shift in mood. Harrison leaned in, his voice softening.

"After tonight’s gala, everyone will know that *you*, Juliet, are my fiancée.

No one will dare spread nonsense again."

Juliet swiftly masked the flicker of emotion in her eyes.

When she lifted her gaze to meet his, her expression had already smoothed back into one of tender devotion.

She tightened her grip on Harrison’s arm and said softly, "I wasn’t bothered by that earlier.

I was just wondering if Queen and the others have arrived yet."

Harrison narrowed his eyes slightly. "We’ll find out once we go inside."

Compared to Queen, he was far more interested in whether the Thomas or Luther families—specifically Sinclair—had shown up at the gala.

Or had neither of them come?

Naturally, he hoped for the latter.

As the old American saying went: *When the snipe and the clam grapple, the fisherman profits.*

Half of E Nation’s population had migrated from San Francisco, including the majority of the current upper class—or at least, their parents had.

So they were no strangers to American wisdom.

The moment Harrison stepped into the banquet hall, all eyes turned toward him.

This time, the ripple of attention was even more pronounced than before.

Of course, the men in the room were far more focused on Harrison himself.

After all, the opportunity to mingle with members of the three prominent families was one of their primary reasons for attending this event.

Meanwhile, the women gathered in clusters were far more intrigued by Juliet.

"Is that the frail eldest daughter of the Bernardo family standing beside him?"

"It’s her. I’ve seen her before.

Though she shares the same face as Queen, their temperaments are worlds apart—hard to mistake one for the other."

"That delicate, innocent flower act is the type I can’t stand.

I’d rather deal with Queen—at least she’s straightforward."

"Honestly, I almost feel sorry for Queen, having a sister like that."

Amidst the varied gazes, Juliet remained unperturbed, her expression as sweet and poised as ever.

Harrison raised his glass, but his attention was drawn to Mr. Thomas standing in the corner.

His eyes narrowed slightly.

So, Sinclair wasn’t coming after all.

Mr. Thomas exchanged polite nods with those who approached him, his demeanor neither warm nor cold.

Mr. and Mrs. Bernardo, spotting their elegant eldest daughter and her dashing fiancé, immediately made their way over with smiles.

"Harrison, Juliet, you’re here."

Harrison nodded at them, then turned to Juliet with a faint smile.

"Juliet, stay here with your mother for now.

I’ll introduce your father to a few people."

Harrison’s intention was clear—to help expand the Bernardo family’s social connections.

Mr. Bernardo understood this perfectly, his satisfaction with the young man growing visibly as his smile deepened.

"Juliet, you rarely attend events and aren’t familiar with girls your age," he said, gazing at his daughter with affectionate eyes.

"This is the perfect opportunity for your mother to introduce you around."

With Juliet’s health improving recently and her impending engagement to Harrison family, it was high time she broadened her social circle.

Understanding her father’s intentions perfectly, Juliet glanced at Harrison before nodding obediently, her sweet smile lighting up her delicate features.

Mr. Bernardo gave an approving nod.

"Harrison, shall we?"

Glasses in hand, the two men made their way toward Stephen’s group.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the room...

"Come along, Juliet," Mrs. Bernardo said, taking her daughter’s hand as they approached a cluster of society matrons.

"Let me introduce you to some of my closest friends."