"Hey there," Anthea said, her eyes glinting with the reflection of the chandelier''s light, like a pair of


    shimmering gems.


    Caught off-guard for a moment, Bryce managed a smile, "Ms. Yeager, I hear the Petersons have a


    splendid garden. How about we take a stroll out back?"


    Nothing could be more romantic than a moonlit walk with a beauty by his side.


    Bryce was a notorious yboy, juggling several girlfriends and a trail of flings he couldn''t even


    count. But now, the ridiculous thought of cutting ties with all of them to woo this captivating girl, to


    spend his life with her, was taking hold.


    It was all because she was irresistibly alluring.


    To say she was just ''pretty'' felt like an understatement.


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    "Thanks for the ttery, but I''m afraid I''m not that blessed," Anthea''s gaze drifted past Bryce, "I think


    thedies over there might be more interested in enjoying the garden with you."


    Anthea knew his type well, a Casanova of the modern age, a man who cast a wide.


    Bryce didn''t expect to be turned down.


    Coming from the wealthy Harper family and being the pampered only son, Bryce was used to


    getting his way. Her rejection was a foreign concept to him.


    But Anthea''s refusal only steeled his resolve to win her over. Once he got bored, he nned to drop


    her harshly.


    After all, Anthea was just a faux heiress of the Morris family. No status, no position, no backing.


    Being pursued by him should be an honor for her.


    Perhaps, Anthea was just jealous, why else would she bring up those otherdies?


    Yes, she must be green with envy.


    "Ms. Yeager, there seems to be a misunderstanding. I barely know those people, and I''m currently


    single," Bryce continued, "How about we exchange contacts? We could get to know each other


    better."


    The implication in hisst sentence was unmistakable.


    "Really?" Anthea raised an eyebrow, a faint smile ying on her lips, "Are you even in my league?"


    Bryce frowned, "Don''t get cocky!"


    There was always a power imbnce between men and women, and it was the women who lost


    out.


    He had forced himself on women before, but Anthea was not going to be another one of those


    conquests.


    "You looking for a duel?" Anthea set down her ss and cracked her knuckles, looking down at


    Bryce with a mix of amusement and disdain, as if he were a mere jester.


    Bryce felt his pride challenged like never before. No woman had ever dared to speak to him like


    that! He reached out to grab her, expecting no one woulde to her defense at this high-society


    event.


    But Anthea effortlessly lifted her hand. And just like that, she caught Bryce''s wrist.


    Truth be told, she preferred kicking to punching, but her dress made it inconvenient tonight.


    Bryce suddenly felt weightless, tumbling forward andnding face-first on the ground, legs in the air.


    Themotion drew everyone''s attention.


    Such arge man brought down so easily was embarrassingly weak!


    Anthea looked down at Bryce with a hint of mockery, her tone light and teasing, "Mr. Harper, you''re


    flopping around like a damsel in distress.


    Laughter erupted from the crowd.


    There Brycey, his face scrunched in anger. He had never been so humiliated.


    He hadn''t anticipated Anthea''s skill.