"Dane might just decide this isn't working and call off the engagement himself," Irma chimed in.
Honestly, her entire narrative revolved around the delusion that Dane would never settle for Claire.
Yolande shot Irma a flat look, then turned her attention back to the couple walking side-by-side in the distance.
"From what I can see, Dane is incredibly invested in Claire. He even went all the way out to Apex just to visit her," Yolande remarked, carefully watching Irma's reaction.
Sure enough, a flash of pure displeasure crossed Irma's face.
Did this woman seriously think that just because she was Octavia's niece, she actually stood a chance at marrying into the Green family?
Even if Dane hadn't chosen Claire, someone like Irma would never even register on his radar.
Dane might be willing to marry a normal girl without a staggering background, but that girl would undoubtedly have her own brilliant, shining qualities. She wouldn't be anything like Irma.
Two-faced and entirely self-serving.
Claire had no idea Irma was talking poorly about her behind her back, but even if she did, she wouldn't have cared.
She and Irma were from completely different worlds. Playing nice on the surface was more than enough.
Out of respect for Victoria, she wasn't going to stoop to Irma's level and start a fight.
But if Irma actually crossed the line, Claire certainly wouldn't hold back.
She also trusted Victoria's character implicitly. Victoria would never blindly take her niece's side over what was right.
Meanwhile, Dane had guided Claire over to where the older patriarchs were gathered. The group of elderly billionaires studied Claire with blatant curiosity, asking what she planned to major in at university.
Padgett and Baldrick had already spent the better part of the evening loudly bragging about her to anyone who would listen.
By now, the entire elite circle knew that Claire was a National Honors Tier scholar who had crushed the STEM exams.
Naturally, everyone was intensely curious about her future career path.
"You know, my grandson is right around Claire's age. Why don't I call him over so they can get acquainted?"
one of the grandfathers suddenly suggested.
Melissa was stunning, and her daughter was just as breathtaking.
But what really won them over wasn't her beauty-it was her sheer brilliance.
A girl who could claw her way to the top of the national academic rankings against millions of competitors would undoubtedly pass down some incredible genes.
This particular grandfather thought his own grandson was a bit of an idjot, so he was desperate to find a granddaughter-in-law with an exceptional intellect to balance things out.
"I really don't think that's necessary." The objection didn't come from Padgett, but from Baldrick.
Harold Hamilton let out a hearty laugh. "Why isn't it necessary? They're young! They should be out making friends."
"My grandson is quite the catch himself. He attends a military academy, is very handsome, and he's not just some brute. He's got a solid six-pack."
"Don't you young girls love a guy with a six-pack these days?"
Baldrick's face darkened into a scowl. Were his competitors really this shameless now?
He instinctively shot a glance at his own grandson.
Dane half-expected his grandfather to demand he lift his shirt and show off his own abs right there in the ballroom. He gave the old man a sharp, warning glare.
Baldrick pursed his lips. If Dane wasn't going to guard his own fiancée properly and let someone else snatch her away, that wasn't his problem.
Another grandfather quickly jumped into the fray.
"What's so special about a six-pack? Anyone can get those with a little time in the gym. If you ask me, my grandson is the real prize. He's a few years older than Claire, but an older man knows how to take care of a woman."
"He's got strong features, he's incredibly grounded, and he's studying computer science. Claire, sweetheart, give me your number. I'll have him add you when I get home."
Claire offered a polite smile. "I appreciate the kindness, but I'm not really looking to date anyone right now. My focus is entirely on my studies."
The grandfathers all sighed in disappointment, but they weren't deterred. They figured they could just get her number first anddet their grandsons do the flirting later
Under the mounting pressure, Claire relented and handed over her contact info.
Padgett didn't step in to stop her.
He trusted his granddaughter to handle herself, and honestly, he just wanted to see how Dane would react.