I Married the President

Chapter 409: Chapter 409: I Hope You Have a Pleasant Evening

Claire Sinclair held her breath, unable to stop herself from taking a few steps forward. She wanted to be in his line of sight, to get just a little closer to him.

Just as she was about to reach him, her foot caught on something, and her body lost its balance, pitching forward.

Adrian Quincy, with his quick reflexes, shot forward and wrapped an arm around her.

Her ragged breaths hitched against his chest, and her heart was thrown into complete chaos.

Adrian Quincy lowered his gaze slightly. The moment his cold, dark eyes landed on her face, they were veiled with a tenderness so subtle it was almost imperceptible.

”Don’t walk so fast in high heels.” The man spoke in an even tone, but Claire Sinclair was the only one who could detect the concern in his voice.

Claire Sinclair nodded blankly, not yet realizing she was still nestled in the crook of his arm. All she could think was that he looked incredibly handsome, and she could never get tired of looking at him.

Adrian Quincy slowly helped her straighten up, then leaned down and whispered in her ear in a voice only she could hear.

”Claire, you look beautiful tonight.”

”...” Just a simple compliment was enough to make Claire Sinclair blush.

As if nothing had happened, Adrian Quincy returned to the red carpet and walked straight to the astonished Princess Morinka. He politely took her small, white-gloved hand and, following the etiquette of Yarrow, placed a kiss on the back of it.

If one looked closely, they might have noticed that his lips never actually touched her skin...

”Morinka, welcome to Aridia. I hope you have a pleasant evening.”

He spoke in perfect English, his captivating, cello-like voice lingering by Morinka’s ear.

Although she had not yet formally met Ethan Kingsley, after witnessing Adrian Quincy rescue that girl, she already had her answer.

’Never mind what Ethan Kingsley is like,’ she thought. ’This dapper, sexy man, radiating pure masculine energy, will be the one to whom I entrust my life. He’s the one for me!’

Princess Morinka smiled and said, ”Thank you, Duke Quincy. I feel so fortunate. To be personally received by you is a great honor. I’m certain tonight will be wonderful.”

Adrian Quincy gave a slight nod and gestured for her to proceed.

”The banquet has begun, Princess Morinka. Please.”

And just like that, Adrian Quincy escorted Princess Morinka to the second floor.

Claire Sinclair stood frozen in place, crestfallen. The image of him kissing the back of Morinka’s hand replayed in her mind. Even though Morinka was wearing gloves, and even though she knew it was merely a gesture of etiquette, she couldn’t help but mind.

’Claire Sinclair, when did you become so petty? In the future, when he becomes president and visits countries where a kiss on the cheek is standard etiquette, are you going to mind then, too? Good grief, what am I even thinking? Stop it!’

Claire Sinclair shook her head and turned to walk away.

Before they came, a certain someone had said she would be his date. The banquet was about to start; what was she supposed to do now?

Just as she was feeling gloomy, a middle-aged man in a suit suddenly appeared before her and said politely, ”Miss Sinclair, our boss would like to see you.”

Claire Sinclair asked, puzzled, ”And your boss is?”

”The chairman of the Mitsuharu Group, Vincent Webb.”

’Vincent Webb of the Mitsuharu Group?’

The Mitsuharu Group was the Kingsley Family’s biggest competitor. They had made their fortune in real estate before expanding into other industries, excelling in every one. On several occasions, their power had nearly surpassed that of the Kingsley Family.

The Astoria Daily’s biggest advertiser was none other than the Mitsuharu Group.

In other words, the Mitsuharu Group was one of the Astoria Daily’s key financial backers.