Chapter 98: Chapter 98: There’s Definitely Something Going On Behind the Scenes

The man leading the laughter wasn’t bad-looking, with a face that attracted butterflies.

Unfortunately, his steps were unsteady, and there was a slight bluish tint at the corners of his eyes, clearly due to excessive indulgence in his private life, leaving him somewhat haggard.

He gazed at Cecilia with amazement.

"Sister, what’s your name? Have we met before? You look so familiar."

"Meeting you today is such a coincidence. I’m Hansen, the sole heir of the Fletcher Family. May I have the honor of knowing your name?"

As he spoke, the man stared unblinkingly at Cecilia, a chord in his heart constantly playing.

"No need, sorry. I’m not accustomed to exchanging names with strangers."

Cecilia furrowed her delicate brows. This man who called himself Hansen was looking at her with a piercing gaze, making her very uncomfortable.

The Evernight Palace, being such a den of debauchery, appears lavish and extravagant, yet anyone with a clear head knows it hides much filth beneath.

If not for Adrian’s sake, she wouldn’t have come to such a place.

...

Noticing the commotion here, Felix immediately walked over with two charming women by his side, his eyes flirtatious, and a lazy smile on his lips.

"Hansen, you brat, coming so late—I thought you were going to ditch our appointment."

"You’re so late. What are you planning to do about it?"

Only then did Hansen move his gaze away from Cecilia and warmly smile at Felix.

"I wouldn’t dare ditch Young Master Lockwood’s appointment. Let’s celebrate Adrian’s first triumphant battle with me being willing to drink three shots as punishment!"

"Alright, bold move!"

Felix released the two charming ladies beside him and clapped Hansen on the shoulder: "But three shots aren’t enough. If we’re buddies, down that whole bottle of red wine!"

Hansen glanced at Cecilia not far away, moved in his heart, and felt it would be stingy to decline.

"Alright, alright, I’ll do whatever Young Master Lockwood says."

He picked up a bottle of 1982 Lafite, ready to chug it down, his eyes wandering to where Cecilia had been; in just a blink of an eye, her figure had disappeared from his sight.

Looks like she went to the restroom.

Hansen pondered.

Finishing off the whole bottle, the alcohol rushed to his head, and he couldn’t help clapping Felix on the shoulder.

"Young Master Lockwood, who was that sister in white who just walked out? A friend of yours?"

Everyone present noticed Hansen’s piercing gaze at Cecilia, and no one could miss the ulterior motives he harbored.

Everyone there was essentially Felix’s drinking buddies, practically a bunch of merry companions, and all scheming individuals. Laughter erupted immediately.

"I say, Hansen, haven’t you taken a liking to that little girl?"

"I also think that girl is quite stunning!"

Hansen’s head was spinning, and Cecilia’s visage floated hazily within his vision.

Compared to the gaudily dressed vixen-like ladies here, the fresh-faced Cecilia was strikingly beautiful, clean and pure; he wondered if her gaze remained as pure when she was undressed.

As Hansen thought about it, he began to feel a dull pain below.

Such fine pickings, it’d be a pity not to taste them.

...

Felix saw Hansen ogling and frowned immediately. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

He lightly punched Hansen, uncharacteristically serious for a moment.

"Hansen, don’t say I didn’t warn you—that’s my sister-in-law, so don’t get any funny ideas."

Sister-in-law?

Hansen’s eyes swirled; although Felix had many drinking companions and was rather influential, there were really only two people who could truly call themselves brothers.

One was Zion Prescott, the heir of the Prescott Family, famed throughout Veridia for his medical skills; no matter how wealthy the tycoons were, they couldn’t guarantee they wouldn’t fall ill, hence always showing Zion some respect.

The other was Adrian Law, the eldest young master of The Law Group, exceptionally mysterious, shrouding the business world in awe.

Neither was someone he could afford to provoke lightly, yet...

Hansen couldn’t help but fantasize about Cecilia’s face, having rarely taken a liking to a girl meeting his tastes—pure, yet with a hint of solitary resilience and coolness.

Such a girl he’d never encountered before; if he let her go now, he’d definitely regret it.

...

Though feeling unwilling inside, Hansen nonetheless nodded understandingly at Felix.

"Young Master Lockwood, come on now, it’s just a woman. I, Hansen, wouldn’t be so foolish..."

Felix’s flirtatious eyes narrowed slightly, his face showing some annoyance.

"Watch your mouth; my sister-in-law isn’t an ordinary woman."

"Alright, alright, Lockwood, I was too reckless. Let me down three more shots as punishment..."

Hansen muttered inwardly, huh, Felix was protective of that girl in the white dress; perhaps they had something going on behind the scenes!

Everyone knew Felix’s infamous reputation with women. Looking at this indulgent scene, could he really let that beauty slip by?

Previously, Hansen and Felix even recommended a few models to each other, which considered some kind of drinking acquaintance.

Thinking that Cecilia might have something going on with Felix too made Hansen’s heart itch even more.

If that’s true, should he risk being bolder?

...

Just as Hansen was hesitating, Cecilia returned from the restroom.

He lifted his eyes to watch.

The girl’s petite body was wrapped in a plain dress, further accentuating her skin’s snowy whiteness, making Hansen’s mouth dry.

The more Hansen looked, the thirstier he became. Although not as prominent as Felix, he was also the sole heir of a real estate tycoon in Stellerton.

Old Master Fletcher cherished his son, treating him like the apple of his eye. Having been spoiled, Hansen rarely faced rejection from women.

...

"Everyone, what’s the fun in just drinking? Let me perform a magic trick to liven things up?"

Unable to contain himself, Hansen stood up, his gaze flirting over Cecilia intentionally or unintentionally but then quickly shifting away.

Soon, some young men laughed.

"Alright, Young Master Fletcher, you know magic? Never knew that!"

"Come on, show us! Let’s see what you’ve got!"

Hansen slightly smiled, hiding a rose and some candies he’d prepared earlier in his sleeve, then gracefully approached one of the vixen-like women.

With a swift motion, his hand moved aside, suddenly revealing several soft candies.

"Wow, Young Master Fletcher is amazing."

"They’re for you."

...

Hansen smiled and walked toward Cecilia.

Despite being barefaced, unembellished by makeup, she was elegant like a lily blooming alone in a valley—not competing or vying, subtly fragrant.

Damn, this chick just keeps looking better!

Hansen repeated the trick, but this time he conjured a blooming rose instead of candy.

"Miss, they say flowers are for beauties. This rose suits you well—will you accept it?"

The man held the rose and blinked, his lip corner carrying a lazy smile, his eyes seemingly able to captivate souls.