Chapter 256: Chapter 256

She had been too naive, thinking a simple expression of trust could bind their hearts tightly together. For origınal chapters go to 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡⚑𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚⚑𝙣𝙚𝙩

The music began, soothing and upbeat. But to Hua Xiaomo’s ears, it was like drifting smoke; it didn’t register with her at all.

Her expression dimmed, a pang of pain echoing somewhere deep in her heart.

Suddenly, a voice cut through, "Xiao Mo, may I have the honor of asking you for a dance?"

Hua Xiaomo’s hands remained braced on the sofa, her mind lost in her own thoughts. Even when he spoke a second time, she seemed deaf to it, offering no response.

This dealt a heavy blow to Mo Rutian, who stood there, hand still outstretched. His heart felt as if something had deeply pierced it.

The surrounding gazes converged on him, making it utterly impossible for him, the big boss, to preserve his dignity.

Mo Rutian’s handsome, almost mesmerizing face instantly darkened. He stared at the woman on the sofa, his gaze growing colder and more impatient by the second.

Without a word, Hua Xiaomo stood up and was about to brush past Mo Rutian.

Mo Rutian seized her wrist. The next second, with a powerful tug, he pulled her forcefully into his embrace, his other hand landing directly on her waist.

Hua Xiaomo never imagined Mo Rutian would dare treat her this way in front of everyone. She was incensed and about to lash out verbally when...

"Xiao Mo, accompanying me for one dance isn’t too much to ask, is it?" Mo Rutian looked at her, a dark glint flickering in his star-bright eyes.

His long hair, which seemed to shimmer like starlight, brushed against his cheeks, making him appear exceptionally elegant and distinguished.

He was an exceedingly handsome man, and his white tailcoat, in particular, accentuated his noble air and striking looks.

The golden bow tie at his collar was tied with such exquisite care that a single glance could make one feel slightly intoxicated.

But to Hua Xiaomo, the sight instantly conjured unpleasant memories from their school days.

Yes, she’d had absolutely no dealings with this man, not during their school days, and not now.

But she couldn’t understand how he had latched onto her now.

Or perhaps his arrogant pride couldn’t tolerate anyone slighting him, anyone not siding with him or submitting to him.

As if everyone was supposed to revolve around him, Mo Rutian?

"I’m sorry, I don’t know how to dance. Please let go, Director Mo," Hua Xiaomo said stiffly.

"If you don’t know how, I’ll teach you! Come on! It’s very easy to learn," Mo Rutian said, forcibly pulling her onto the dance floor.

Hua Xiaomo bit her inner lip. Seeing the gazes directed their way from all around, she suppressed the urge to push him away.

When Mo Rutian saw her seemingly softened demeanor, a hint of a smile touched his heart.

He instinctively tightened his arm around her waist a fraction more.

But in that very instant—

Hua Xiaomo suddenly shoved him away, stating unhappily, "Mo Rutian, you’d best find someone else to dance with! I won’t indulge you!"

Yes, she simply couldn’t bear it. She had even thought, perhaps, she could endure a little for Brother Long’s sake, but the feeling just moments ago told her she absolutely couldn’t!

Mo Rutian’s face paled. Hearing her speak to him so mercilessly, the blow to his heart was imaginable.

Hua Xiaomo didn’t look at him again and quickly headed towards the side exit.

Mo Rutian swiftly pursued her. His strides were much faster than hers. Just as the elevator doors slid open, Hua Xiaomo darted inside, and he lunged in right after her.

Hua Xiaomo looked at him, her eyes filled with vigilance. "Mo Rutian, what exactly are you trying to do? Do you find this amusing?"

Mo Rutian stared into Hua Xiaomo’s eyes. Perhaps because the anger in his heart, suppressed for far too long, had yet to abate, he was losing some control. "Xiao Mo, I love you!"

The elevator was confining; the very air within it felt suffocating at that moment.

"You..." Hua Xiaomo never dreamed he would actually say those three words to her.

Seeing the flush rise on his face, Hua Xiaomo couldn’t help but let out a small, derisive laugh. "Mo Rutian, I think you’ve truly gone mad."

"I simply don’t believe that kind of feeling could ever exist between us. If you want a relationship, find someone else!" Hua Xiaomo rejected him outright, giving him no further chance.

However, to maintain some distance from this man, she continued to back away until she felt the cool metal and glass of the elevator wall against her.

"Xiao Mo, you must have some misunderstanding about me. You don’t really know me, I truly..." Mo Rutian looked at her, his words tumbling out in his urgency.

Before he could finish, Hua Xiaomo cut him off. "Mo Rutian, don’t say any more. I don’t want to understand you!"

"No, Xiao Mo, please don’t be , alright? Give me a chance, and give yourself a chance too, okay? Let’s get to know each other. I’m really not the terrible person you think I am!" Mo Rutian pleaded urgently.

Hua Xiaomo ignored him, her gaze fixed on the elevator’s floor indicator. It should have taken only a moment to reach the first floor. But because Mo Rutian stood planted by the control panel, he immediately stabbed the ’up’ button the instant they arrived. Consequently, the elevator began to ascend again.

This made Hua Xiaomo bite her lip in fury. "Mo Rutian, I’ve said it. I’ve said everything I need to say. If you still don’t understand, then I can only tell you this: money isn’t omnipotent."

"Heh..." Mo Rutian suddenly let out a pair of dry laughs, his gaze boring into her. "Money isn’t omnipotent? Who says money isn’t omnipotent? Back then, weren’t you being kept by Qi Longbing just the same?"

"Weren’t you kept by him for a month, perhaps even longer? Xiao Mo, why can’t you give me a chance? I will treat you better, believe me. Whatever Qi Longbing can give you, I can give you too—and it will only be more, never less!"

"Be with me, please? Xiao Mo, I truly will be good to you! I don’t care what happened between you and Qi Longbing. I only care about our future, about us being together, every single day."

Only after he’d spoken these words did Mo Rutian faintly realize there might be something improper about them, yet he couldn’t stop himself from voicing them.

He truly liked her, truly wanted her, and more than anything, he wished to have a good relationship with her.

Somehow, this longing had become an indescribable ache in his heart.

Hua Xiaomo’s eyes reddened with anger. Had she really provoked him? This guy had completely shattered the image she had of him from their school days!

Wasn’t he supposed to be the lofty, untouchable Prince? So why was he here, spouting all this demonic nonsense to her?

Did he think that just by saying these things, she, Hua Xiaomo, would agree to be with him?

Ha! A joke. That truly was a joke!