Chapter 24


    Xanthea said, “We don’t have frequent interaction before. Only recently…”


    “I applied.”


    Orion’s bted response and irrelevant answer made both Xanthea and Oliver stunned for


    a moment.


    “Yes, I applied it well.”


    Oliver looked at Orion’s serious eyes that were burning at Xanthea, and sensitively sensed a trace of


    unusual feelings from it. He hurriedly said, “Xan, the program will endter. The organizer will hold a


    cocktail party. Let Mr. Lockwood bring you to attend it. There are many celebrities at the cocktail party.


    He can introduce them to you. I have to go backstage to deal with some trivial matters. I can’t


    apany you anymore. I’ll pick you! up when it’s over.”


    After Oliver proposed, Orion stared at Xanthea for a moment. His nervousness expectation were


    hidden under his dark eyes.


    and


    Xanthea hesitated, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts as she contemted attending the uing


    party. Her decision was made for her when she caught sight of Matthew and Miranda causing a scene


    below.


    “Matt.” Xanthea’s voice trailed off as she watched the unfolding drama.


    Matthew was about to rush forward with a bouquet for Xanthea when Miranda, stumbling and tearful,


    crashed into his arms. Her face was blurred with tears as she sobbed, “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry I let you


    down. I didn’t expect Xanthea to show up out of nowhere.”


    “Miranda, let go of me!” Matthew frowned, trying to disentangle himself from her grasp, which only


    tightened.


    “You think I’m useless, don’t you? I can’t measure up to Xanthea. You won’t start hating me. now, will


    you?” Miranda’s voice was choked with despair.


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    Without the championship and the lucrative endorsement from the TOYUM Group, all her carefullyid


    ns had evaporated. Now, clinging to Matthew was herst chance to turn. things around.


    Matthew, annoyed yet restrained by the fact that Miranda was Xanthea’s sister, couldn’t just push her


    away harshly, especially not in public where it could cause a scene. Heforted her and led her out


    of the venue, his mind racing with irritation.


    Well, the pair were heading to the hotel earlier than nned, their urgency palpable. Xanthea thought


    she better follow them.


    Realizing the gossip that could ensue, Xanthea made a quick decision. “Uncle, I need to handle this. I


    won’t be attending the party!” She hurried down, her dress fluttering behind


    GIL


    14:57 —


    Chapter 24


    her. As she raced past, her crown’s sharp embellishments grazed Orion’s hand, drawing blood that


    dripped ominously, mirroring the dark smirk on his face.


    Outside the Discovery Pavilion, Matthew had just ushered Miranda out and was calling a cab.


    “Miranda, you’re not in the right state; I’m sending you back to the Nightshade residence,” he


    suggested firmly.


    “No, I won’t go back there. They’ll justugh at me!” Miranda clung to him desperately, shaking her


    head frantically.


    “They’re your family,” Matthew said, his patience wearing thin.


    “They’re not my family; they’re her family. They only care about my sister, never seeing my efforts. At


    the Nightshade residence, I’m just like a servant, unnoticed and uncared for. All I have is you, Matt. You


    won’t despise me too, will you?” Her hands moved suggestively down his chest, hinting at more.


    Usually, Matthew might have responded, but today his thoughts were consumed by Xanthea, leaving


    no room for Miranda’s advances.


    “Miranda, you’re misunderstanding something here!” He pushed her away firmly, confusion etched on


    her face.


    “A misunderstanding? All the kindness you showed me, was that all just a misunderstanding? You


    came today to support me, was that also a mistake?”


    “I was kind because you’re Xan’s sister. If it wasn’t for that, we’d have no connection at all!” Miranda


    was stunned, the cold dismissal contrasting sharply with the warm gestures he had shown when they


    were alone. Her heart ached as she struggled to reconcile this new, distant Matthew with the one she


    thought she knew.


    v sister?


    “Matt, have you also fallen for Do you think she’s better than me, ready to abandon me?” Her voice


    cracked, a mix of betrayal and desperation echoing with ea word.


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