2025-05-16 11:17:09
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CHAPTER 273
She stumbled back, her heels slipping on the polished marble.Her legs gave way, and she crashed to the floor with a stunned gasp, her clutch skidding across the tiles.A few guests nearby cried out. Heads turned sharply. The music didn’t stop, but the atmosphere shifted, thick with tension.Persis’s eyes narrowed.Tedmond’s hand twitched at his side.The man, oblivious or uncaring, leaned in close to Tedmond, reeking of alcohol and arrogance. His breath was hot and foul. His voice dropped to a conspiratorial slur."She’s a beauty," he muttered, nodding toward Persis without glancing at her. "How much? Name a fair price, and I’ll take her off your hands. Tonight."A beat of silence followed—quiet enough to hear the fizz of champagne nearby.Tedmond’s expression didn’t change—at first.He slowly turned his head, the motion deliberate, like a predator sizing up prey. The muscles in his jaw tightened, his eyes locked on the man’s face with an unreadable calm that only made the tension wo
CHAPTER 272
"Ah, this gala... It’s very fancy, eh? So much sparkle—like the stars in Roma!" a man said, straightening his jacket, eyes dancing with pride. "You see the chandeliers? Mamma mia, even my nonna would be impressed. And she doesn’t impress easily.""Giovanni," came a sigh beside him. "Can you focus? We’re not here for the lights."Giovanni Castelli turned toward the voice—his cousin, Alessia, ever the serious one. She adjusted her gloves as they stood near the grand entrance, their family crest subtly pinned to her silk sash."Eh, Alessia, you never change," he said, flashing a grin. "Always thinking with your head. Try using your heart for once. That’s how you enjoy life.""We’re here on business," she reminded him sharply.Giovanni Castelli, early thirties, had wavy dark hair, playful hazel eyes, and a sleek build. He carried himself in a sharp blue tuxedo with the Castelli crest on his lapel like a man born to charm—and used to getting his way.His cousin wasn’t an exception. Alessia
CHAPTER 271
“The gala is starting already,” Athena said, her gaze serious.She stood by the arched window of her room, overlooking the dazzling stretch of the Katsaros estate. The grounds were already bathed in golden lights, elegant guests filtering in, laughter rising into the midnight air.Her reflection glared back at her from the glass—red painted lips, light brown eyes, dirty blonde perfect curls, the dress her father had picked out just for tonight. Everything about her screamed precision.Everything... except the knot in her chest.“I know,” she murmured to herself this time. “And he’s coming. Alone.”To her, he had probably lied about having a fiancée and was going to show up alone.She turned away from the window and grabbed the small clutch from her dresser. Her heels clicked sharply against the marble floor as she strode to the door. Her brothers were likely already downstairs, mingling with guests. Her father was no doubt making his rounds, charming dignitaries, politicians, and CEOs
CHAPTER 270
The question caught Kalista off guard. Xander looked more serious than he ever had when confronting her about her actions. This time, he wasn’t just angry—he looked terrified.No, not just terrified. Tired.“I don’t recall doing anything that would make you look at me like that!” she snapped. “Besides, what could happen that’s so serious?”Xander’s teeth clenched. He couldn’t believe she was still acting this way, even with everything about to collapse around them.“Hah.” He sighed, looking away and ruffling his hair in frustration.This was all his fault. If he hadn’t let her leave the academy and come back, none of this would’ve happened. She would’ve stayed out of trouble. Out of his trouble.“Is this about those couples I messed with?” Kalista asked, shrugging with indifference. “Don’t be so paranoid. I know everyone in the elite society, and they’re *definitely* not part of it. Even if their families have a little money, it’s not enough to go against the Marino family. If they co
CHAPTER 269
Everyone fell silent, eager to hear what Tedmond had to say. Their expressions brimmed with curiosity.“I think the family was caught off guard by the message from the Washingtons,” Tedmond said. “When the youngest causes this kind of trouble, it’s only natural for the family to panic.”The others considered his words. His reasoning struck a chord.Howard raised an eyebrow. “So you’re suggesting they’re still figuring out how to respond?”Tedmond nodded, leaning back in his seat. “Exactly. Kalista didn’t just offend the Washingtons — she crossed the Damons too. For one act to provoke two powerful families at once... the Marinos are probably too terrified to reply at all.”Rick crossed his arms. “So they’re stalling. Buying time.”“Most likely,” Tedmond agreed. “They’re weighing their options — whether to negotiate, deflect, or disappear entirely.”Howard frowned thoughtfully. “That kind of hesitation could work in our favor. If they’re disorganized internally, we can exploit the delay
CHAPTER 268
“Brother!” Bianca yelled, running toward him with a bright smile on her face.Tedmond had just stepped into the building. She had been eagerly waiting for his return, having spotted him from the upstairs balcony the moment he stepped out of the car. She had been running since then, her little feet carrying her quickly down the hallway.She finally reached him just as he walked into the living room with Persis. He bent over, opening his arms to welcome her. She leapt into his embrace, wrapping her small arms tightly around his neck, unaware of the burn that stretched across his neck and upper back.Tedmond winced slightly from the sting.Noticing it, Bianca quickly pulled away, her expression shifting from joy to concern. Her eyebrows furrowed deeply.“Are you injured?” she asked.He gave a small nod. “Yes, but it’s nothing serious.”Her smile vanished completely, replaced by a glare. Since he was covered from head to toe, she could barely see any skin and had no idea what kind of inju
CHAPTER 267
Seeing the message from the Washingtons, Xander couldn’t help but feel a wave of panic.He was worried, confused, and strangely excited all at once. One thing was certain—if the Washingtons were reaching out, it was either very good or very bad.The man next to him noticed Xander’s furrowed brows and tilted his head, puzzled by his sudden change in expression.Just thinking about what the Washingtons might want sent his mind spiraling. If they wanted to invest in the company, that would be incredible.But if they were offended…He hadn’t even opened the message yet and was already jumping to conclusions. Just to be sure, he turned to the man beside him.“She didn’t mess with the Washingtons, right?” Xander asked.“The Washingtons?” the man replied. “Who’s that? Some big family? If they are, they must be foreigners. I haven’t heard that name in a long time.”Xander groaned internally. He shouldn't have asked him.Marcus Sebastian.Not exactly the best person to ask about the elites of
CHAPTER 266
“You didn’t even flinch! You just stood up like a wall and blocked it, like we were in a slow-motion movie or something. And now you're sitting here, acting like it’s no big deal? It is a big deal, Tedmond! You could’ve been hurt worse. What if that soup had been hotter? What if it hit your eyes? What if—what if you hadn’t moved fast enough?!”He leaned back, watching her with tired but amused eyes.“And don’t even think this is over,” she continued. “I’m going to make sure Kalista pays for this. I’ll file a report. I’ll talk to the restaurant manager. I’ll go to the press if I have to. You don’t just attack people with soup and walk away like you’re some kind of queen of drama.”Tedmond raised his hand slightly. “Persis—”“No! Let me finish. I’m furious. And scared. And I’m grateful. And mad at myself. I should’ve dragged you out of there before she did something crazy, and instead I just sat there ordering lamb risotto like it was a normal day. And now here you are, bandaged up, loo
CHAPTER 265
Hearing Persis’ voice immediately pissed Kalista off. It was Persis who had challenged her and made her lose face at the boutique.And now, she had the audacity to show up at the same restaurant Kalista had just walked into for lunch.Tedmond, on the other hand, looked calm. He didn’t glance at the young woman standing in front of him—instead, his eyes trailed past her.Just a few feet away, seated at another table, was the same man Kalista had brought to the boutique last time—the one she had called her boyfriend.He still wore that same grin from earlier, staring right at them without blinking.‘What’s wrong with him?’ Tedmond thought, frowning slightly. ‘Why does he look so weird?’Every time Tedmond looked at the man, all he saw was a grin stretched from ear to ear. Was that his version of a resting bitch face?“What are you both doing here?” Kalista demanded, eyes blazing with anger.Persis shrugged, glancing away. “To eat, of course. What else do people do in a restaurant?”“You
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