Chapter 1853


    Mr. Bradshaw took a liking to Manley''s handsome features and impable manners. "Manley, it''s been


    a while. You shoulde over for a cup of coffee sometime."


    "Sure!" Manley replied with a light smile.


    Mr. Scott was pleased to see Manley''sposure and was about to speak when someone called out,


    "Manley Scott!"


    Manley turned to see Lance approaching, his smile fading slightly, expecting an apology. His voice


    turned cold, "What do you want?"


    Lance had changed into fresh clothes, but his face was still marred by two missing teeth, giving him an


    awkward appearance. His face was flushed with embarrassment as he stared at Manley, too scared to


    speak, yet feeling he couldn''t remain silent.


    Jonathan''s threatening words echoed in his mind; if he didn''t follow his instructions, his whole family


    would suffer the consequences.


    Sensing Lance''s hesitation and conflicted gaze, Manley''s brow furrowed, "What''s the matter?"


    Throwing caution to the wind, Lance blurted out loudly, "Manley, I like you!"


    The crowd fell silent, as if someone had hit the pause button on the scene, and for a full minute, there


    was utter stillness.


    Manley''s face slowly turned a shade of dark green, "Are you out of your mind?!"


    Nervously, Lance gazed at Manley, his speech whistling through the gaps in his teeth,ical yet


    pitiful, "Manley, I really like you. Give me a chance!"


    This time, everyone heard him clearly, and the crowd erupted.


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    "The Scott family''s young master likes men?"


    "Who would''ve thought!"


    "He''s so handsome, such a shame!"


    The very same people who had been praising Manley alongside Mr. Scott were now shocked,


    especially Mr. Bradshaw, who waspletely dumbfounded. What had he just said?


    He hadn''t said anything, and his daughter wasn''t even there yet!


    Mr. Scott''s face turned sour as he red at Manley, "What are you ying at? I''m booking you a flight


    right now. You''re going back to thepany in Australia!"


    "I''ll exinter!"


    Manley gritted his teeth and, grabbing Lance, started to drag him out.


    "Manley—"


    "Shut up!" Manley growled, "Say one more word, and I swear I''ll end you!"


    Lance''s face went pale, his whole body trembling, and he dared not speak another word.


    Manley dragged him out of the banquet hall to a secluded corner and mmed him against the wall,


    "Are you trying to mess with me?"


    Lance''s head hit the wall, and his mind buzzed. Seeing Manley''s fisting at him, he immediately


    covered his head, "Manley, I had no choice!"


    Manley stopped his punch mid-air, eyes narrowing, "Who sent you?"


    Lance, too frightened to speak, shook his head.


    "You''re scared to say?" Manley''s lips curled into a cold smile, "Let me guess, Jonathan?"


    Lance''s eyes widened in shock.


    "Was it really him?" Manley licked his lips with a mix of ferocity and allure, "He must be livid, resorting


    to such sleazy tactics!"


    "I didn''t say anything; you figured it out yourself. Please don''t bring me up in front of him," Lance


    pleaded, fear evident in his voice.


    "That scared of him?" Manley scoffed, "You fear him but not me? Daring to y me at his behest!"


    "I—I—" Lance stammered, pressed against the wall, "I''m scared of both!"


    "Scared and yet you provoke me!" Anger surged through Manley as hended a punch on Lance''s


    head, "You think you''re even worthy of liking me!"