Finn nearly choked on his own saliva. "Wait, what? Made by your parents?"
That meant an arranged marriage from the previous generation! He had never heard a word of this.
But no matter how hard Finn mentally scrambled for details, Dane clearly had no intention of satisfying his curiosity.
Dane just gave Claire a fond, amused look. The girl was too good at keeping people on their toes.
Shutting Finn out of the gossip, Dane smoothly steered the conversation to business.
While the men talked, Claire successfully fended off three separate waves of women trying to flirt with Dane.
Overnight, the entire social circuit seemed to know that the elusive CEO had brought a date. She was young, stunning, and a total mystery.
Whispers circulated that she was a student at The Cabinda University, brought in as a plus-one by the Rose family. Everyone was dying to know how she had managed to hook a prize like Dane. The room was buzzing with socialites eager to test the young girl's mettle, but that would come later.
Once Dane and Finn wrapped up their chat, Claire wandered back over to Zara Zeller. Dane had to handle some networking and couldn't escort her immediately.
Zoe Zeller was still hovering around Zara. Zoe was practically vibrating with jealousy, unable to accept that a nobody had captivated someone as untouchable as Dane.
Catching sight of Zoe, Claire instantly read the room. She could excuse a harmless crush on Dane—the man was undeniably attractive, after all. But intentionally seeking Claire out to start drama? That crossed a line.
"So, what did Mr. Green whisk you away for?" Zara asked loudly, deliberately baiting Zoe, knowing her cousin was eavesdropping.
"Nothing major. Just introducing me to an elder," Claire replied casually, keeping it vague.
The impact of those words, however, was lethal. Introducing a girl to family elders meant Dane was dead serious.
Right on cue, Zoe's face darkened like a thundercloud. Zara noticed and her eyes lit up with malicious glee.
"Oh my gosh, how long have you two even been dating to reach the 'meet the elders' stage?" Zara pressed.
Claire knew Zara was just twisting the knife into her cousin's ego, and she happily played along. "Not that long, really."
"But he was getting so annoyed by all the random, desperate women throwing themselves at him. We figured it was time to step out together."
"Hahaha... Exactly! You have to mark your territory!" Zara was practically glowing with triumph. Seeing Zoe look like she was at a funerabwas the highlight of her night.
Unable to handle it anymore, Zoe inserted herself into the conversation. "Claire, I heard you and Zara are roommates."
"Yes. And?" Claire met her gaze with cool indifference.
"I just wanted to say that you're still so young. It's not easy getting into such a prestigious university, and you should really be focusing on your studies."
Claire almost let out a laugh. The sheer audacity of this woman.
Zoe knew exactly why Claire was amused, but she forced herself to
keep talking. "Your life is just
starting. If you throw away your
education for romance, it's just not
worth it.
FindNovel.net
"If you and Mr. Green break up, you'll be left with nothing-no relationship and a ruined academic career. You'll regret it."
Claire just stood there, silently watching Zoe spout her hypocritical nonsense. The lack of reaction made Zoe squirm.
"Claire, I'm only saying this for your own good. Take my advice or leave it."
"I only spoke up because you're Zara's friend..."
Seeing Zoe hit her stride on her
moral high horse, Claire finally cut her off with a sharp smile. "Are you telling me to break up with with Dane just so you can swoop in and take
my place, Zoe?"