"Shut your mouth!" Vincent snapped without even waiting for his friend to finish his sentence. This was, no doubt, the perfect outlet for him to release his anger, so he veered toward his mate and snarled, "What does it have to do with you? Are you my mother? No! Keep your nose out of my business!"The sight of Corie with another man was already infuriating enough, but it set him off the edge to see that she chose none other than Liam!He was already extremely resentful of Liam, having embarrassed himself multiple times in Liam's presence, but this was the last straw! His friend chose the worst possible moment to ask questions, so, of course, he was forced to face Vincent's wrath.The entire room fell silent at Vincent's voice, and immediately all eyes flitted between Vincent, Corie, and Liam. Vincent and Corie were inseparable before this, and it was plain as day that Vincent had feelings for her! Therefore, it came as a great shock to see Corie choose another man over him!An
However, she was dressed so provocatively and wearing such heavy makeup that if anything, she looked more like a prostitute! It was understandable, of course, that people would far prefer Corie or Jennifer. Corie grinned back at the woman who spoke. "I was stuck in traffic, Wren, and besides, I'm not all that late anyway!"She turned to Liam and said, smiling even wider, "Liam, let me introduce you to my friend from university. Her name is Wren Engel, and she's from Drunham City. She's the one who hosted the gathering today."Wren, this is Liam Cole, my new friend."Corie graciously introduced them to each other, but Wren did not so much as give Liam a second glance. She already noticed Liam the moment he stepped in, and was not at all impressed by him given his rather shabby-looking clothes. Instead, she turned her attention to Yennifer, whom she never met before. Despite seething with jealousy at Yennifer's looks, she plastered a smile on her face and exclaimed in a forced ton
Everyone got to their feet to greet Corie and Yennifer warmly. This was expected, given that the two of them were easily the prettiest women in the room, not to mention the fact that Corie also happened to be the heiress of the prestigious Doyle family. Everyone in the room was eager to get to know her and form yet another powerful connection.After greeting everyone, Corie then added with a smile, "Let me introduce this person next to me. His name is Liam Cole, and he's my new friend here in Drunham City!"Liam's presence was not received as warmly, for the excitement dampened down, and everyone merely nodded curtly in response to this. Some of them did not even bother giving him so much as a glance.Liam, however, was not at all bothered by the lack of response. If anything, he was not at all interested in getting to know these people at all. He, Yennifer, and Corie took their seats. The moment Liam sat down next to Corie, he could feel sharp looks on him from all directions, so
Wren's eyes blazed with a mix of admiration and envy as she gushed about Kaison. "Mr. Nasso is one of the state's most eligible bachelors, a real mover and shaker among the elite. The Nasso Group is blue-blooded royalty here, and the cherry on top? Mr. Nasso is making a special trip to Drunham City tonight just to see you!"The more she talked, the more her jealousy showed. Her gaze was practically on fire as she looked at Kaison, but he did not even spare her a glance.Kaison, backed by the prestigious Nasso Group, was a catch no woman could ignore—handsome and filthy rich.Wren tried to cozy up to him the moment he walked into the VIP room, but Kaison did not show the slightest interest.Kaison was on a mission tonight, and his target was Corie. Unfazed by her indifference, he kept his cool and flashed a charming smile. "Ms. Doyle, you might not know me, but meeting tonight's got to be more than coincidence. Let's call it the start of a new friendship, shall we?"Wren eagerly ba
The mention of Liam ignited a fire in Vincent's chest, his words seething with venom. "Just watch," he hissed, "So what if he's by Corie's side? Kaison's set his sights on her, and he won't let anyone get in his way!"Vincent's rant was a tangled mess, leaving the preppy guy next to him baffled.However, the guy shrugged it off, figuring Vincent was just spouting drunken gibberish out of heartache.As for the other men who were eyeing Corie, hoping to woo her, they all quietly retreated to their seats once Kaison showed his interest. Those who did not make a move yet quickly shelved their plans.They all knew who Kaison was, no one was foolish enough to cross him or the powerful state Nasso Group over a girl.Besides, in their world, Kaison was a legend. Any woman he wanted, he got. So, the men played it smart—they dropped the idea like a hot potato.In the VIP room, the air was thick with envy and jealousy. All the women, except Corie and Yennifer, had their eyes set on Kaison.
Wren's argument was a familiar one at any drinking table—if you do not drink, it's as if you're snubbing the host.Corie felt cornered, trying to explain, "It's not about respect, Wren. I just really can't handle my liquor."However, it dawned on her, even with her naivety, that Wren was intentionally pushing her toward Kaison.The realization that her old college pal would so easily cast aside their friendship to curry favor with Kaison left Corie's expression darkening, her voice growing icier by the second.Wren was oblivious to Corie's reluctance, her mind set on winning Kaison's approval. However, Corie's lack of cooperation quickly got under her skin."Corie, are we friends or not? I'm just asking you to have a drink. Why are you dodging the question? If you value our friendship, you'll drink this glass!" Wren declared. With that, she plopped down in a chair, arms crossed, and turned away in a huff.The room fell silent, the mood turning awkward.Kaison, ever the gentleman
Liam was not taken aback by Kaison's comment, he was all too familiar with those little games, having played them himself seven years earlier. With everyone's eyes on him, he remained composed and spoke with a nonchalance that belied the tension in the room. "I wouldn't say it's all that grand. I'm a bodyguard with the Bristow Group here in Drunham City."The moment the words left his lips, Kaison clapped a hand over his mouth, his eyes wide with mock astonishment. "No way! You're a bodyguard for the Bristow Group in Drunham City? The Bristow heir is a pal of mine—I had no clue you were on their payroll! Man, you're something else. Hats off to you!"Kaison's performance was over the top, his gaze dripping with scorn. The crowd was savvy enough to see right through him, and they piled on with their jabs."Come on, Mr. Nasso, you're impressed by a mere bodyguard? Don't make us laugh. That's beneath someone of your caliber.""Exactly, Mr. Nasso. You're the big shot of the Nasso Grou
Liam was not bothered, but Corie was. She brought him there, and the crowd's ridicule was a direct hit to her pride.If word of tonight's fiasco got out, Corie would be the laughingstock of the whole town.That was something she just could not stand for.With a swift grab of her clutch, Corie whipped around to face Yennifer and Liam, her voice seething with frustration, "Yennifer, Liam, we're out of here!"Yennifer's expression was sour. She had no love for the petty games those spoiled heirs and heiresses were playing. At Corie's signal, she snatched up her bag, ready to bolt. However, to everyone's surprise, Liam, the butt of their jokes, did not budge. A smirk played on his lips as he nonchalantly replied, "Ms. Doyle, why rush off? Didn't we come for dinner? Let's not leave hungry. I mean, I've got nothing to eat back at home!"His comment threw the room into a stunned silence, which quickly erupted into raucous laughter."Hahaha! What's he even saying? No food at home? Is h