Chapter 509: Chapter 509

Gina watched the strikingly handsome man approaching her, a triumphant smile playing on her lips.

With every deliberate movement, she subtly accentuated her curvaceous figure, ensuring her allure was impossible to ignore.

Other socialites observing the scene frowned as they noticed Sinclair heading straight for Gina.

"Is Gina about to score again?"

"Men really are all the same—thinking with their pants."

Their tones dripped with envy, jealousy, and no small amount of scorn.

"How can she be so brazen?

Doesn’t his wife care?"

Many turned their gazes toward Camilla, only to find her watching Sinclair with serene composure, her exquisite yet aloof features betraying not a hint of disturbance.

"American women are too reserved.

Even when their husbands are being seduced right in front of them, they just stand there."

If a man like CEO Luther were my husband, I wouldn’t dare interfere with his... extracurricular activities either."

"If Gina has a shot, does that mean the rest of us do too?"

Juliet listened to the murmurs behind her, her lips curling into a faint smirk as she glanced at Camilla.

So much for Sinclair’s undying love for this woman.

"President Luther," Gina took another step toward Sinclair, closing the distance between them.

Her deep, mesmerizing blue eyes shimmered with seduction.

"Shall we head to the back and—" "Excuse me."

The man’s icy, baritone voice sliced through her half-spoken invitation. Excuse... me? Gina froze, wondering if she’d misheard.

"President Luther, I—what did you just say?"

Sinclair halted, his long legs planted firmly.

Sinclair looked down at her, his striking features carved in frost.

"Move." His tone was even colder this time—dripping with impatience.

Gina was startled by the icy detachment in Sinclair’s tone and the chilling aura radiating from him.

Before she could even process her thoughts, her feet had already moved her aside on their own accord.

Sinclair didn’t spare her a second glance. With long, purposeful strides, he walked past her and headed straight toward the lounge area where Camilla was seated.

Taylor observed the shifting expressions on Gina’s face, a faint, knowing smile playing at the corners of his lips. *Sinclair’s rejection was still relatively polite today—probably because we’re not in San Francisco.* With a slight nod in Gina’s direction, he turned and walked toward Melissa and Queen.

Left standing alone, Gina clutched her wine glass, humiliation burning through her. When it came to men, she rarely failed.

And never—*never*—had she been publicly dismissed .

The sudden turn of events hadn’t gone unnoticed.

The men in the crowd chuckled and moved on.

After all, it wasn’t *their* loss.

The women, however, reacted differently.

Those close to Gina frowned in disapproval.

"That Luther guy has absolutely no manners," one muttered.

"Honestly, how could he embarrass Gina like that in front of everyone?

That’s just cruel!" another added. ... Yet most of the high-society ladies chatted with barely concealed schadenfreude.

"Did Gina actually get rejected?"

"Seems not everyone falls for easy prey."

"She probably thought those ample curves of hers could make any man grovel at her feet."

"Thank heavens we knew better than to embarrass ourselves like that."

"Wonder if she’ll go crying to Princess Kiara again like last time."

Their mocking gazes made Gina’s face darken by the second.

Damn those little bitches!

And damn Sinclair too!

Gina pressed her lips into a tight line, her fury impossible to conceal.

But mindful of the occasion, she swallowed her rage, refusing to make a scene.

Her father’s expression darkened with embarrassment as he pulled her aside.

"Enough," he muttered through gritted teeth.

"Stay by my side and don’t cause any more trouble."

The reproach in his voice was unmistakable.

Gina’s face twisted further with resentment.

And just like that, the brief spectacle came to an end.

The faint smile on Juliet’s lips gradually faded.

How disappointing. Earl Aston felt the same.

Gina was attractive enough—had Sinclair taken the bait, negotiations for future collaboration would have been far smoother.

"Camilla," Sinclair walked over to Camilla, the usual indifference on his face softening.

We should head back."

His tone and demeanor were a stark contrast to how he had been with Gianna moments ago.

Camilla’s lips curved into a gentle smile, her stunning features radiating warmth.

She rose gracefully from the sofa.

Sinclair reached out, his arm slipping naturally around her slender waist in an intimate gesture.

"Camilla, you’re leaving so soon?"

Melissa glanced at Taylor.

"Brother, should we go too?"

Queen also turned her gaze toward Taylor, her expression composed, though a quiet anticipation flickered beneath the surface.

"My business here isn’t finished yet," Taylor narrowed his eyes slightly.

"If you’re bored, you can have Vicente take you home first."

Hearing these words, Queen felt a slight easing in her heart.

When she realized the shift in her emotions, her cheeks instantly flushed pink.

She quickly lifted her wine glass and took a sip to mask her reaction.

"Forget it then," Melissa said, glancing in Gianna’s direction and pursing her lips. "I’ll just wait here for you."

She needed to make sure no clueless woman tried to latch onto him again.

Her brother was the epitome of purity and restraint—someone she had to protect.

Sinclair’s dark, fathomless eyes lingered on Taylor.

"Camilla and I will head back first."

Taylor understood his friend’s unspoken meaning and nodded with a faint smile.

With an arm wrapped around Camilla’s slender waist, Sinclair led her toward Earl Aston.

After exchanging a few brief pleasantries, they took their leave.

They had made the grandest entrance—and now, the earliest exit.

Whether arriving or departing, the couple remained the center of attention.

Watching Sinclair and Camilla’s retreating figures, Stephen’s gaze gradually sharpened.

Stephen knew all too well that this man never did anything without purpose.

With such a grand gesture today, what exactly was he trying to achieve?

"Mr. Taylor," Queen hesitated for a long moment, her gaze lingering on the retreating figures of Sinclair and Camilla, before finally giving in to her burning curiosity.

"Does Mrs. Luther... have any E-Country heritage?"

Currently, over half of E-Country’s population was of San Francisco descent, " worldwide.

Mixed-blood individuals of San Francisco and E-Country lineage were also exceedingly common.

Instead of answering directly, Taylor narrowed his eyes slightly and turned the question back on her.

"Why do you ask, Miss Bernardo?"

Melissa, too, widened her bright, inquisitive eyes and stared at Queen in confusion.

Under the siblings’ scrutiny, Queen carefully chose her words.

"I think... Mrs. Luther’s eyes and brows resemble someone I know."

I’ve never seen anyone who looks like Sister Camilla before," Melissa instantly perked up with interest.

"Do you have a photo?

Taylor remained silent, waiting for Queen to continue.

"Sorry," Queen shook her head. "No photos." She wouldn’t dare take random pictures of *that* person.

Sure, there were some in the news, but this was just her personal hunch—hardly appropriate to discuss openly.

"Alright," Melissa sounded disappointed, though the moment she caught sight of Vicente, the thought slipped her mind entirely.

In her heart, she never believed Camilla’s face could resemble anyone else’s.

At least, she’d never seen it before. ——

Meanwhile, in the restroom at the back of the castle.

Gina stood before the sink and slammed her clutch onto the counter.

All these years, there wasn’t a man she wanted that she couldn’t have.

But today, that San Francisco man had utterly humiliated her in front of everyone.

No doubt, this would become prime ammunition for those bitchy rivals who loved to see her stumble.

Gina’s rage boiled hotter the more she thought about it.

She snatched her handbag and hurled it at the mirror again.

Then she froze—her reflection had just revealed a figure standing behind her.

Harrison smirked, the corner of his mouth quirking up.

"Didn’t think you’d forget me after just a few days apart."

"And what if I didn’t?"

Gina arched a brow, watching his reflection.

"You’re getting engaged.

We should... tone things down."

"Engaged isn’t married," Harrison closed the distance in two strides, wrapping his arms around her from behind.

His hands traced the curves of her body with deliberate slowness.

"Besides, even if I were married, I could never give up a temptress like you."

Gina frowned deeply, her body tensing as she prepared to resist.

"If someone walks in on us now, we’re both finished!" Her father and the entire family would never tolerate such a scandal.

"Relax," Harrison murmured, his hands growing bolder.

"I’ve got people keeping watch.

We’ll know the moment anyone comes near."

At his words, Jiana stilled.

This—Harrison’s attention—was what she deserved.

Unlike that infuriating Sinclair, who couldn’t even spare her a second glance.

The memory of his indifference flashed through her mind, twisting her delicate features into a scowl.

How utterly infuriating.