CHAPTER 10 Assumption
last update2025-03-04 23:32:27

The Yale family was a prestigious household—far beyond Vincent’s reach. All he could do was leave in humiliation, though his heart was brimming with envy and bitterness.

Why? he thought. How did that loser Karvel, of all people, end up with someone even better than Mariya? Practically perfect!

Was fate truly blind…?

“Dr. Karvel,” Sophia said sweetly, “you’re not mad at me for interfering just now, are you?”

Her innocent smile made it impossible for Karvel to stay angry. He gave a helpless chuckle. “I know you meant well. You were standing up for me.”

Sophia blinked, her smile deepening. “But what if I wasn’t just standing up for you? What if I was... serious?”

Karvel blinked. Serious?

Then Sophia leaned in close, her soft body pressing gently against his. Her warm breath lingered in his ear.

“Not gonna lie... I’m actually kind of tempted to make this little act a reality,” she whispered, giggling.

Before he could respond, Sophia was already striding off toward the auction hall with her bodyguards in tow, still chuckling playfully.

Karvel cursed under his breath, shook his head with a wry smile, and followed her in.

“Mariya, don’t tell me you still have feelings for that loser?” Vincent asked, annoyed by the dark expression on her face.

Isabelle jumped in as well, “Sweetheart, you saw it yourself. He’s nothing! Totally worthless. And now he’s even leeching off another woman. Just thinking about it makes me embarrassed for him.”

Mariya had already regained her icy composure. Her voice was calm. “I’ve made a clean break with him. Whatever he does now has nothing to do with me.”

“I just didn’t expect him to be so disrespectful. Bringing another woman to flaunt in front of me? How shameless.”

Vincent growled, “That woman is Sophia—the heiress of the Yale family. I can’t for the life of me figure out what she sees in someone like Karvel.”

Mariya’s eyes flickered with surprise before a realization dawned on her. “No wonder…”

Vincent looked puzzled. “No wonder what?”

Mariya continued, “Think about it. Who else has the financial power to compete with us for the orphanage land tonight?”

Before Vincent could answer, she said confidently, “Obviously, only the Yale family has that kind of money. And Sophia, clinging to Karvel like that—it seems like they’re close, but in truth, she’s using him. She wants to get under my skin and throw me off my game.”

Vincent slapped his thigh. “You’re right! That has to be it. No way someone like her would actually like a loser like Karvel.”

“He’s just too stupid to realize he’s being used,” Vincent sneered. “Sophia’s playing him like a pawn just to mess with you, Mariya. That woman’s sly, I’ll give her that.”

Mariya smiled, exuding confidence. “I didn’t get to where I am by being soft. I’ve faced worse storms and come out stronger.”

“The Yale family may be rich, and Sophia might seem perfect, but I—Mariya—am not inferior to her in the slightest.”

At that moment, the host stepped onstage and announced the start of the auction.

According to the rules, the party who pledged the largest donation would win the right to purchase the orphanage land.

Vincent leaned in. “Mariya, how much are you planning to donate?”

Her tone was unwavering. “Enough to crush all competition. Like I said—I will have that land.”

Vincent quickly flattered her, “Mariya, you may be a woman, but you’ve got more guts than most men I know. With our family backing you, it’s as good as ours!”

Isabelle beamed proudly and added smugly, “Our Mariya has always been flawless. That’s why Karvel—the useless trash that he is—should’ve disappeared from her life long ago!”

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