Chapter 249: Chapter 249

Paige Sterling said nothing and left Julian Hawthorne, pushing him away from Austin Xavier.

At the moment when Paige turned around pushing Julian, Austin clearly saw a fleeting smile on Julian’s face.

It was as if he was mocking Austin’s overestimation of himself, knowing he had no place in Paige’s heart, yet still foolishly provoking him.

Julian Hawthorne perfectly demonstrated what it means to be fearless when favored.

Austin Xavier gritted his teeth, staring at the back of Paige as she walked away.

As night fell, Austin lay slumped in the private club room, a cigarette dangling from his mouth, looking utterly dejected.

He suddenly remembered when he first received a love letter from Paige at eighteen. Follow current novᴇls on 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝·𝘧𝙞𝙧𝙚·𝔫𝔢𝔱

Back then, Paige was only fourteen, like a peach just ripening, bright and bold, with many boys secretly admiring her.

Austin liked her too, though he didn’t know when he began to like Paige, only realizing it once he already did.

The love letter Paige wrote was secretly slipped into his desk, without even signing a name.

At that time, he didn’t know it was from Paige, assuming it was another bored girl’s doing, and casually tossed the letter into the trash, where it was found by some boys who jokingly read it aloud in class.

Considering how well-written and unique the letter was, the boys secretly wanted to know who wrote it, some even suggesting checking the surveillance cameras.

Austin was indifferent, not caring about such things.

However, after school, Skylar Hughes approached him and told him that the letter was from Paige.

Paige was shy, so she secretly placed it in his desk, not expecting him to let other boys read it publicly, which left her feeling awkward and not wanting others to know it was she who wrote it.

At that moment, Austin truly experienced a mix of surprise and joy.

So, that little girl secretly had a crush on him too.

However, after that, Paige’s attitude towards him didn’t seem to change, still confrontational, sometimes even ignoring him.

Austin assumed that his treatment of the letter had hurt her feelings.

He tried to apologize, but Paige was always indifferent.

Austin thought, maybe after some time, when Paige felt better, things would change.

And since Paige was still young, he could wait for her to mature, there was no hurry.

But as it turned out, many years passed, and he and Paige seemed to grow more distant, becoming strangers.

Especially lately, it seemed like Paige had completely shut him out of her world, allowing another man to enter her life while completely forgetting about the feelings she once had for him, unaware of his years of longing for her.

Indeed, the cruelest people in this world are women.

When they say they love you, their sweet talk is utterly sincere.

And when they don’t, they turn their backs mercilessly, leaving no room for negotiation.

How did Austin Xavier fall in love with such a cold-hearted, fickle woman?

Austin finished a cigarette and poured himself another drink, his eyes bloodshot and his body reeking of alcohol.

Just then, the door to the room opened, and a girl in a service uniform walked in.

Austin was a regular, so the girl naturally recognized him.

Seeing Austin already in such a state, with so much alcohol around, she expressed concern, saying, "Young Master Xavier, you shouldn’t drink any more. Drinking too much is bad for you."

Austin glanced indifferently at the woman crouching in front of him.

Perhaps he had drunk too much because, at this moment, the woman’s face seemed to suddenly merge with Paige’s.

He squinted, lifting the girl’s chin with his fingers.

The girl blushed, looking nervously and expectantly at Austin.

Girls at the club often caught Austin’s eye and were then taken away, never to return.

Indeed, it’s said that women love bad boys, and Austin, with his roguish charm, easily won their hearts.

But she wasn’t interested in his money; she was attracted to him as a person, unlike those vain women seeking his wealth.

She believed Austin would realize this and be captivated by her purity, eventually falling for her and taking her away.

Yet, after a moment, Austin realized she wasn’t Paige.

But the girl’s eyes looked a lot like Paige’s.

He raised his hand, his fingertip gently resting on her eyes.

The girl closed her eyes, relishing his caress.

Austin lowered his head, lightly kissing her eyelash, "Your eyes are beautiful."

The girl’s heart raced uncontrollably.

But after saying this, Austin withdrew his hand and returned to his drink.

His expression now cold, as if the earlier tender moment was merely the girl’s illusion.

The girl felt a sense of loss, but emboldened by Austin’s earlier intimate gesture, she didn’t leave and softly advised him.

"Young Master Xavier, if something’s weighing on your mind, you can tell me, consider me someone you can confide in, don’t hold it in and trouble yourself, okay?"

Austin couldn’t help but laugh.

How did he mistake this woman for Paige?

Paige is proud, so cold in her aloofness that she wouldn’t spare you a glance when you spoke.

Paige is fierce and wouldn’t hesitate to lash out even when she couldn’t win a fight, and especially now that she’s stronger, her tactics have only grown more aggressive.

Paige is also ruthless, sometimes as cold-blooded as an emotionless assassin...

Paige has many sides, but she would never speak to him so humbly.

No matter how much someone resembles Paige, it’s only on the surface and can never become her.

Austin couldn’t help but laugh louder, seemingly mocking himself.

His reputation outside is of a playboy untouched by love, yet here he was, like a tragic leading man in a melodrama.

Seeing Austin ignore her and continue drinking, the girl grew worried, trying to stop him, but was pushed away by Austin.

The girl said, "Young Master Xavier, it’s already late. Let me take you home, please stop drinking , or I... I’ll be heartbroken."

Austin’s gaze finally returned to the girl, "You’re heartbroken? You care about me?"

"Of course I care, Young Master Xavier, my heart... has always belonged to you..."

She confessed shyly, wanting Austin to understand her feelings.

Austin chuckled, asking, "What’s your name?"

The girl said, "My name is Rose Payne."

Paige sneered, "You’re definitely not Paige."

Was she Paige of Penson Technologies?

Could Austin Xavier have feelings for Paige from Penson Technologies...

No way. Such a formidable woman, how could anyone like her?

Besides, she was rumored to be with the chairman of the Hawthorne Group...