Chapter 285
Chapter 285 The Gala
A man’s teasing voice drifted down from upstairs. “Quit flattering her; her tail’s about to wag right up to the ceiling.” Elaine stood on the third-floor landing, one hand resting casually on the railing.
“Hey,” Noreen said in a playful, almost coquettish tone. “What kind of brother talks about his own sister like that p>
Elaine strolled down the stairs, one hand shoved in his pocket, his tone full of mockery. “I’m just looking out for you. Haven’t you heard that pride comes before a fall, while humility paves the way forward? Consider this my way of encouraging you – so you can keep making progress p>
Manny smirked, his voice light with amusement. “Wow, Elaine. Didn’t think you had it in to say something that deep. Makes the rest of us feel a little small p>
Fawks, lounging lazily nearby, chimed in, “Couldn’t agree more p>
“Same here,” Cameron added with a grin.
you
Elaine reached the bottom of the stairs, looking at his circle of friends with a half-smile. “If you guys don’t mind, I can share a few more pearls of wisdom. Might help refine your taste maybe even help you land a girlfriend p>
“No thanks,” Manny shot back immediately. “The world out there is way too beautiful for me to tie myself down early. I’d rather stay free than end up stuck on one branch p>
Just then, light footsteps echoed from above.
nded slowly, her hair swept up, a diamond hairpin glinting faintly in the soft e a black lace dress paired with champagne heels; her light, natural makeup only right, luminous eyes stand out even more, highlighting the youthful sweetness of
For a moment, she stole the breath from everyone in the room –
even Noreen’s.
That quiet sense of superiority Noreen always carried crumbled into dust, leaving nothing but raw astonishment in her eyes – astonishment that quickly curdled into something darker, a deep and bitter unwillingness.
Manny let out a low whistle as he eyed Lillian. “Sebastian’s got an eye, I’ll give him that. Spotted her potential early, kept her close all this time, how impressive p>
Cameron grinned, his voice full of teasing. “Call it fate. And don’t forget back then, Sebastian threw every trick in the book to tie Lillian to his side. With your half-baked skills in chasing
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women, Manny, don’t even try to compare p>
The man seated on the sofa stood, a rare flicker of softness lighting his sharp gaze. He walked toward Lillian, his voice low and smooth. “Beautiful p>
Just one simple word, yet it brought a blush to her cheeks. “Thank you,” she murmured.
Noreen’s heart clenched painfully as she watched them; it felt like there was no space left in his world for anyone else. Is this it? Am I really just going to give up?
But then Hans’ words echoed in her mind, stoking embers of defiance into flames. No. Why should I give up? There’s no way I’m losing to an orphan.
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Fawks set down his wineglass and stretched with lazy ease. “Come on,” he said. “The Soren family’s gala should be starting soon. Best not to arrive too late; no need to give anyone more to talk about p>
Meanwhile, the Soren family’s charity gala was being held in one of the sprawling villas on the resort grounds.
Events like this were all about mingling, building connections, and quietly pursuing one’s own goals; everyone had their own agenda.
Inside the grand hall, the standout heirs of the Soren family were, unsurprisingly, the center of attention. Some sought alliances, some hoped to forge relationships, others simply wanted to extract details about the next day’s auction. Rowan and the others, well-versed in these social games, handled the crowd with effortless composure.
Lyla, after gracefully slipping away from a persistent group, made her way to the balcony.
There, she found Janus, leaning against the railing, his gaze distant as he slowly swirled the wine in his hand.
Walking up beside him, Lyla rested her elbows casually on the rail and said with easy nonchalance, “What’s got you so lost in thought p>
Janus blinked, snapping out of his trance. He took a slow sip of his wine, his voice even as he
said, “I was thinking about that girl… the one named Lillian p>
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Ruby Walker
Ruby Walker is a rising voice in the world of romance and spicy fiction. With a gift for weaving deep emotions, sizzling chemistry, and unexpected twists, her stories are a blend of passion and drama that captivate readers from start to finish. Ruby’s writing style is bold and irresistible—perfect for those who crave intense, addictive love stories.