Chapter 496: Chapter 496

If it weren’t for their lingering concern over Juliet’s fragile health, they would never have so easily agreed to Harrison family’s proposal to switch the marriage arrangements between the two children.

Had their old friend still been alive, she would have surely cut ties with them over this.

But— Mrs. Bernardo sighed as her gaze drifted toward Juliet and Harrison.

There’s no turning back now. Juliet kept her head lowered, silently tracing the rim of her translucent teacup with delicate fingers.

Beneath her downcast lashes, a cold glint flickered in her eyes.

So Queen insisted on staying behind alone—just to arrange a meeting with Taylor?

Her expression remained unchanged, but inwardly, she scoffed.

Always pretending to have no interest in men, and yet—

The moment a decent one comes along, she can’t help but throw herself at him.

Outside the Bernardo family villa at that moment.

Queen hurried to the front door and immediately spotted the tall, striking man standing there in a long charcoal-gray trench coat.

His broad shoulders and elegant posture were accentuated by the sunlight, radiating an air of refined sophistication and restrained charm.

Her heartbeat quickened uncontrollably.

Could anyone understand this magnetic pull—the perfect blend of intellectual depth and composed detachment?

Since childhood, this had been her ideal standard for a partner.

Noticing Queen hesitating instead of approaching Taylor, the butler looked puzzled.

"Ms Queen, is everything alright?"

Snapping out of her daze, she blinked at the butler, masking her emotions with practiced ease.

I need to exchange a few words with Taylor—quietly."

If she didn’t give him a heads-up now, the whole act would fall apart.

The butler, having been young once himself, smiled knowingly and nodded.

"Go ahead. I’ll stay right here."

Queen felt a subtle wave of relief wash over her as she quickened her pace toward Taylor.

Not having planned to accompany Juliet and Harrison, she wore only a classic black Chanel-style sheath dress.

The minimalist cut should have been understated, but her naturally radiant complexion and curvaceous figure made the simple dress sway with effortless elegance.

A faint blush tinged her fair cheeks, heightened by her hurried steps and flustered state.

Yet Taylor’s gaze remained unreadable, his expression as calm as still water.

As Queen approached, he subtly masked the pensive shadow in his dark eyes, replacing it with a polite yet distant warmth.

Standing closer now, Queen found herself momentarily tongue-tied under the weight of his composed, penetrating stare.

"Mr. Taylor," she began, her voice barely above a whisper as she glanced toward the butler lingering nearby.

After a brief hesitation, she mustered the courage to voice her request.

"Would you... mind doing me a favor?"

Taylor’s gaze flickered briefly toward the Bernardo family villa, his expression unchanging as he waited for her to continue.

Queen’s face grew increasingly flushed as she met Taylor’s calm, dark eyes, her words sticking in her throat.

"Would you mind telling my parents that... I was the one who invited you here?

Her voice trailed off into a whisper as she lowered her head, briefly explaining the situation to him.

Of course, she left out the conflict between her and Juliet—only mentioning that she hadn’t wanted to attend.

Taylor narrowed his eyes slightly.

The Bernardo family dynamics were proving more intriguing than he’d anticipated.

When he remained silent, Queen bit her lip and looked up at him again.

"It’s fine if you can’t," she said, forcing a weak smile. "Please don’t feel obligated, Mr. Taylor."

She couldn’t very well drag someone else into cleaning up the mess she’d made.

"It’s hardly a favor," Taylor concealed his true emotions, his lips curving into a subtle smile as he addressed Queen in a gentle tone.

"Truth be told, I was the one who arrived uninvited.

Miss Bernardo’s graciousness has spared me the embarrassment of my own impropriety."

Was that his way of agreeing?

Realization dawned on Queen, her eyes flickering with delight, though she was equally moved by Taylor’s considerate phrasing.

"I recall an American saying—’repay kindness with gratitude.’

Rest assured, Mr. Taylor, I won’t forget this favor," she said, lowering her voice with solemn sincerity.

"From now on, you’re a friend. If there’s ever anything you need, just say the word."

Taylor’s lips quirked again, yet his gaze remained distant.

"Shall we proceed, Miss Bernardo?

It wouldn’t do to keep Mr. and Mrs. Bernardo waiting."

Queen nodded quickly, stepping to his side. "Please follow me, Mr. Taylor."

Maintaining a measured distance, Taylor replied coolly, "Taylor." Queen paused, turning to look at him in surprise.

"Since we’re friends, Miss Bernardo, you can just call me Taylor."

Taylor wasn’t saying this to get closer to Queen. Sinclair was right.

The Bernardo family marriage would bring more benefits than drawbacks to the Taylor family.

Now wasn’t the best time to call off the engagement.

After all, businessmen always prioritized profit.

"Taylor," Queen repeated softly, then smiled at the man beside her.

"Then you can call me Queen."

Mr. Taylor’s concerns made sense—if they were putting on an act, they might as well go all the way.

Taylor nodded slightly, his dark eyes carrying a faint smile yet remaining unreadable.

The butler watched as the two approached, chatting and laughing, and couldn’t help but feel a flicker of admiration.

Just in terms of appearance, this Mr. Taylor was indeed a perfect match for Ms. Queen Standing side by side, they embodied what young people these days would call— What was it called again... CP!

Perhaps the Sir and madam’s decision would turn out to be a happy accident, leading to a perfect match.

Only when the couple walked past him did the butler snap out of his thoughts, quickly turning to follow them back to the living room.

Before reaching out to the Taylor family, Mr. and Mrs. Bernardo had gathered numerous photos and documents on Taylor.

In their minds, Taylor was a frail young man with a sickly pallor—someone who clearly hadn’t fully recovered despite years of illness.

Even if his health had improved recently, they assumed his vitality couldn’t possibly bounce back so quickly after such a prolonged condition.

Thus, they had already painted a mental image of a weak, ailing figure.

Harrison and Juliet, however, had met Taylor before.

Though their expressions remained neutral, their minds were quietly calculating.

Just then— Taylor and Queen stepped into the room under the watchful eyes of the gathered guests.

Mr. and Mrs. Bernardo stared at the tall, poised young man standing beside their younger daughter, his refined demeanor exuding warmth like polished jade.

Unmistakable surprise flickered in their eyes.

That man... should have been hers. Juliet’s gaze lingered on Taylor, her slightly narrowed eyes concealing a fleeting, inscrutable emotion.

The Taylor family’s influence was on par with the Harrison family’s.

To be precise, the Taylor family might even be more formidable.

Back then, she had looked down on this man because of his frail health and had wanted to snatch what belonged to Queen, which was why she had schemed against Harrison.

But who would have thought... this man was nothing like she had imagined.

In fact, he seemed even more outstanding than Harrison.

Taylor’s gaze swept indifferently past Harrison and Juliet before settling on Mr. and Mrs. Bernardo.

"Mr. Bernardo, Mrs. Bernardo."

You certainly cut an impressive figure," Mr. Bernardo remarked with polite warmth.

"You silly boy, coming to E Country without even letting us know," Mrs. Bernardo chimed in, her tone affectionate.

"We could have prepared a proper welcome for you."

A faint, composed smile touched Taylor’s lips as he replied in a smooth, measured voice,

"As a junior, I wouldn’t dream of troubling the two of you."

"Junior or not, you’re family—no need to stand on ceremony," Mr. Bernardo said with a chuckle, gesturing toward the seat of honor.

"Come, sit down. Let’s talk properly."

"No need to stand on ceremony, I’ll just sit with Queen," Taylor said with a gentle smile as he glanced at Queen.

The man certainly knew how to play the role of familiarity to perfection, Queen thought wryly.

Catching on quickly, she turned to her parents with a bright smile.

"Mom, Dad, let Taylor sit with me."

As she spoke, she guided Taylor to the seat beside hers and poured him a cup of tea.

Watching the two of them, Mr. and Mrs. Bernardo exchanged a knowing glance, their eyes reflecting a mix of complicated emotions and quiet satisfaction.

Meanwhile, the smile on Juliet’s lips faded slightly, turning frosty.

Even if he was a man she had discarded, she couldn’t stand the thought of that idiot Queen getting her hands on him.