American Farmers: Facing a Cutoff at the Start

Chapter 131 Let's Dance

"He probably doesn't know yet," Preston said slowly. "I just met with him."

"If he knew I was the one who killed his mother, he definitely wouldn't be able to stay calm."

"The emotions of country folk cannot be hidden."

"But—" Preston changed the subject, "Find out for me, what exactly is his relationship with Lena Anderson?"

"I think their relationship is more than just ordinary."

"Yes, boss! I'll get right on it!" came the voice from the other end of the phone.

"The Anderson family is not to be trifled with; I need financial support to achieve political success!"

Preston paused for a moment, then instructed, "Stop targeting him for now, stop all actions, and wait until we've found out the truth."

"Understood, boss."

After hanging up the phone, Preston straightened his tie and strode into the auction hall.

The auction process was unremarkable.

It has nothing to do with Fett.

The auctioneer spoke rapidly, almost like he was rapping, as one artwork after another was pushed up, only to be seen by its new owner the instant the bidding paddle fell.

To maintain the gallery's image, Jessica symbolically raised her paddle a few times and spent $5,000 to buy an abstract painting by a local artist.

Preston even spent a whopping $20,000 to buy an antique vase, earning polite applause from the entire audience.

As the hammer fell on the last item, the lights suddenly focused on the center of the stage.

The host returned to the stage, beaming, "Thank you all for your generosity. Tonight, we would also like to express our special thanks to the Langston Family Foundation for its long-standing support of the arts in Arkansas."

"Now, please welcome Mr. Preston Langston, the Executive Director of the Foundation and a distinguished young leader in Arkansas, to the stage to deliver a speech!"

There was thunderous applause.

Preston straightened his suit and strode onto the stage.

The seasoned veterans in the audience knew exactly what was going on, but they all clapped along in agreement.

Fett sat in the audience, watching Preston gesticulate confidently under the spotlight, observing his face glowing with excitement, and listening to every word he uttered about justice and responsibility.

The overwhelming sense of absurdity made Fett want to laugh.

A murderer is on stage lecturing everyone about what justice is.

And the people in the audience who held the lifeline of this state were cheering for him.

This is America.

Arkansas's prosperity is inseparable from strong allies.

"We need a broader vision, stronger capital, and — more steadfast partners."

He paused for a moment, his gaze piercing through the crowd and landing on where Lina was.

"Tonight, I am honored to have Miss Lina from the Anderson family here with me."

The spotlight instantly shone on Lina.

"Miss Lina, thank you for your interest in Arkansas."

Preston raised his glass from the stage, his voice carried throughout the hall through the microphone, "I look forward to working with you and the forces you represent to build our home in the days to come."

The audience erupted in uproar, followed by even more enthusiastic applause and whispers.

Just then, Lina stood up.

She gracefully raised her glass, her clear voice ringing out in the quiet hall: "Mr. Langston, you flatter me."

She wore a polite smile, but her gaze pierced directly at Preston on the stage, and her tone was steady and firm: "However, there is something I must clarify."

"I came to Arkansas simply because I was personally drawn to the purity and authenticity of this land."

She emphasized the words "myself" and looked around the room as if making a declaration of independence: "Tonight I stand here representing only Lena Anderson herself, and have nothing to do with my father or JPMorgan Chase."

Lina smiled, raised her glass in a toast, and said, "Tonight, let's talk only about art."

After saying that, she tilted her head back, took a sip of wine, and calmly sat down.

Upon hearing Lina's straightforward response, Prester's smile froze for only a moment before he regained his composure. "Miss Lina is right!"

"Art is pure. Tonight, let's not talk about mundane matters, but only about art and romance."

He glanced at the Patek Philippe on his wrist, waved his hand, and announced, "It's about time. Let's hand the stage over to the band and begin tonight's dance!"

As he finished speaking, the lights in the hall instantly softened and warmed, and a professional orchestra played a melodious waltz.

The crowd began to move toward the center of the dance floor.

Jessica, arm in arm with Fett, also walked toward the center of the dance floor.

"Is that Lena Anderson the girl you were chatting with in the booth earlier?!"

After listening to the person next to her introduce Lina's background, she walked on, staring wide-eyed at Fett beside her.

"You just told me—she's your friend? And you two have a pretty good relationship?"

Fett smiled. "Yes, we're friends."

"Fett," Jessica said, her eyes complex, half-joking and half-seriously, "I thought I valued you highly, but it seems I underestimated you."

"You actually have such connections!"

Fett waved his hand, his expression calm: "It's not really a connection. There's no business relationship between us."

"I only found out recently that her father is a regional chairman at JPMorgan Chase, but that doesn't make any difference to me."

"I didn't expect to get anything from her father, nor did I intend to use her to curry favor with him."

He looked at Jessica, his eyes clear: "I just think she's alright, genuine and kind, and that's enough."

Jessica stared at Fett for a long time, seemingly trying to find a trace of hypocrisy on his face, but she failed.

She sighed, her tone now tinged with admiration: "You really are a pure person."

"In this world of fame and fortune, this kind of relationship where you don't expect to gain anything is the most luxurious and the most enviable."

Jessica sighed, a hint of envy flickering in her eyes.

"Our relationship is also very pure."

Fett naturally reached out and put his arm around Jessica's slender waist. The silver dress seemed to have no thickness, and the touch under his palm was soft and elastic.

Let's dance.

Fett whispered as he led Jessica to the center of the dance floor.

Music flows.

With the help of social etiquette skills, every movement of Fett was precise and elegant.

Rotate, slide, tilt.

He controlled the rhythm with a powerful yet gentle touch, guiding Jessica through the crowd, her skirt billowing and radiating a silvery glow.

The surrounding guests cast admiring glances at the couple on the dance floor.

"You learn so fast." Jessica pressed against his chest, her breathing a little rapid, her face flushed with excitement.

"It's because you taught me well!"

Fett glanced at the edge of the dance floor out of the corner of his eye.

Preston straightened his suit, a confident smile on his face, and walked towards Lena.