Chapter 84: Chapter 84

Cassandra maintained a composed demeanor, the corners of her lips lifting slightly as she said, "Back then, I thought he and Amelia were truly a match made in heaven.

That’s why I never stepped between them.

I don’t have any regrets about it—now that I look back, I think I made the right choice."

"Yeah, at least she got to spend some happy moments with the one she loved.

Honestly, you’re quite kind-hearted."

Beauty didn’t hold back her admiration for the girl several years her senior.

At the very least, she found Cassandra genuine and unaffected.

The sudden praise caught Cassandra off guard, her finely arched eyebrows lifting in surprise.

A faint smile played on her lips as she replied, "I wouldn’t say I’m kind-hearted.

It’s just that I always felt I couldn’t compare to Amelia.

She outshone me in everything since we were kids.

Maybe I got used to living in her shadow.

Looking back now, I realize it was just my own lack of confidence."

Beauty was taken aback.

She had always assumed that only girls like her—without family status or connections—struggled with self-doubt.

It never occurred to her that someone like Beauty, a wealthy heiress, could feel the same way.

As they parted, Cassandra gave her a warm smile.

Then, in a calm tone, she added, "Don’t tell Lucas that I came to see you today.

And definitely don’t mention that we talked about Amelia."

Beauty agreed without hesitation.

She wasn’t keen on letting her uncle know she’d been asking others about his late wife either.

With a casual wave, she turned and headed toward the academic building, her expression serene.

Her head slightly lowered, she rounded a corner—only to collide headlong with someone.

Books clattered to the ground.

"Sorry!" she blurted, bending down to gather the scattered pages.

When she looked up, she found herself staring into a pair of gentle, jade-like eyes.

She froze in place for a moment.

You must be the new freshman, right?"

"Yes, I’m a first-year student."

Beauty’s gaze drifted to the books in his hands—three on finance and two on design.

With a warm smile, she handed him the books she was carrying.

"So you’re in design too?

I’m Beauty, a Year 1 student, also studying design."

"I’m Dyson, a year above you."

He pulled a white business card from his pocket with slender fingers.

Feel free to ask me anything about design."

Beauty hesitated briefly before accepting it with a polite smile.

Her eyes widened slightly when she saw the title "Manager" of a well-known company printed on it.

"I didn’t expect you to already be an executive at such a young age.

Is it in the design field?"

Her cheeks flushed with admiration as her crescent-shaped eyes sparkled up at the young man in his crisp white shirt.

If someone like Lucas wore that same pristine shirt, it would exude an air of solemn authority.

But on this boy, it looked effortlessly fresh and clean—so much so that she couldn’t look away.

"Right, though I might not stick with design forever.

Different strokes for different folks."

He flashed an encouraging grin.

"Keep working hard, junior.

I’ve got to head to work now, but call me if you need anything."

With that, he picked a phone call with his well-defined fingers and walked off with a parting smile.

She stood there, watching until his figure disappeared into the distance, a faint smile lingering on her lips.

Before she could even step into the academic building, her class monitor hurried over.

Someone’s waiting for you at the gate—and they’re in a luxury car!"

Beauty blinked twice, about to ask who it was, but the class monitor had already dashed away, leaving only a fleeting glimpse of his retreating figure. Fresh chapters posted on NoveIＦire.net

Who on earth could be looking for her?

She had no family left in this world.

Unless... The cold, impassive face of Lucas flashed through her mind.

Her lips pressed into a thin line.

If it really was Lucas, why wouldn’t he just call her directly?

With a faint sense of unease, she made her way toward the school gate.

From a distance, she spotted a sleek black business car parked nearby.

It looked vaguely familiar—had she seen it somewhere before?

But then again, Lucas owned so many cars, switching them out more frequently than she changed clothes.

There was no way she could recognize every single one.

There was no sign of Lucas nearby.

Steeling herself, she took a few steps forward—until the car window rolled down, revealing a face that was both familiar and unsettling.

The man’s expression was utterly blank, but his piercing gaze sent a chill down her spine.

"Miss Beauty, we meet again."

Beauty’s lips curled into a frosty smile as he regarded her, his eyes colder than Lucas’s ever were.

Despite the scorching sun overhead, Beauty couldn’t suppress a shiver.

Forcing a polite smile, she asked, "What brings you here, Mr. Marson?

If there’s nothing urgent, I should get back to class." In her life, there were very few people Beauty feared—Lucas being one of them.

But now, even his family sent a ripple of dread through her.

She clasped her hands behind her back, struggling to mask her unease.

Beauty curled his thin lips into a faint smile.

"I’m afraid Miss Beauty won’t be able to attend her classes today.

I’d like to invite her to dinner—we have much to discuss."

Beauty’s expression darkened instantly.

She bit her lip hard before replying, "I’m sorry, Mr. Marson, but I have a full schedule today.

Perhaps we can reschedule this dinner for another time."

With that, she turned to leave.

A deep, commanding voice rang out behind her.

"If Miss Beauty refuses my invitation, I’ll have no choice but to escort her into the car myself."

At his signal, two towering bodyguards stepped out of the vehicle, their menacing expressions sending a chill down her spine.

Before she could react, one of them seized her arm in an iron grip.

The bodyguard’s cold, ruthless stare made her blood run cold.

Even in broad daylight, no bystander dared to intervene.

The entire ride was spent in icy silence.

No matter what Beauty said, she refused to respond, her face set in stubborn defiance.

The car was soon pulled up in front of a prestigious hotel in paris.

Beauty stepped out first, waiting expectantly by the door.

When Beauty showed no sign of moving, his voice turned sharp.

"If Miss Beauty won’t exit on her own, my men will assist her.

And if they happen to be a little rough—well, don’t say I didn’t warn you."

The moment the words left his mouth, she pushed the door open and stepped out.

*No point fighting a losing battle*, she thought, lifting her chin defiantly.

He can’t actually do anything to me—this is all about Lucas anyway.

* A cold smirk played on Beauty’s lips as he strode into the hotel.

The bodyguards flanked her, their watchful eyes boring into her like daggers, sending shivers down her spine.

But she had already made up her mind—she wasn’t going anywhere.

She was determined to hear exactly what this cunning old fox had to say—and what demands he intended to make.