Serena chuckled softly and squeezed her hand, her lips curving. "Yes, I'll be here."
Nicholas stared at their clasped hands, at how intimately they were huddled
together.
For some reason...
He found his own sister a bit irritating.
“Serena!” Brianna shook Serena's hand, her moist eyes sparkling as she looked at Serena with anticipation. "When we cut the cake later... will you cut the first slice with me? Please?"
“I'll be in the audience watching you," Serena said with a smile. “This is your
The coming-of-age ceremony for the young lady of the Blackwood family was attended by the world's top elites.
Giants from every field had gathered.
show."
Being part of the cake-cutting ceremony at the Blackwood heiress's party was a major statement.
If she stood with Brianna in the spotlight, becoming the center of attention, it would inevitably attract countless probing gazes and speculation.
After all, her current identity had not been publicly disclosed.
Moreover, if she were recognized by any of the sharp-eyed magnates, her identity could easily be exposed.
Although Brianna was a little disappointed, she didn't insist, nodding obediently. "Then... Serena, you have to promise you'll be watching me from the crowd."
The Blackwood family's bodyguards escorted Brianna to the banquet hall to prepare.
Nicholas turned his head to look at Serena, his gaze landing on the girl's cold and exquisite face. He slowly extended his hand toward her.
"Together?"
Serena stared at the man's long, elegant fingers.
She took a step back, creating distance between them. "If I show up with you... I'm afraid tomorrow's headlines will be 'Blackwood Heir Appears with Mystery Date at Sister's Coming-of-Age Party, Woman's Identity a Puzzle.' I have no interest in being the center of attention, and I certainly don't want people speculating about me."
If she had been willing to stand in the spotlight, she wouldn't have just turned down Brianna and disappointed the birthday girl.
Serena waved her hand dismissively. "I'm heading back to the hall. You can have the spotlight all to yourself, Mr. Blackwood."
The girl gave a lazy wave and turned, walking out of the dressing room.
Nicholas watched her fiery red figure go, not showing the slightest hesitation as she left so casually.
He smirked, slid one hand into his pocket, and started walking.
Outside the picture window.
Riley and his two friends couldn't hear what was being said inside, but they saw
their fearsome, intimidating Nicholas seemingly get rejected by the girl.
She had even turned and walked away without giving him a second glance.
"Holy crap! Riley, your goddess... she even blew off Nicholas! And you think you have a chance with her?" Darius was dumbfounded.
Riley's eyes only shone brighter as he puffed out his chest. "What do you know, you single loser? My goddess has character! She sticks to her principles unfazed by power or wealth!"
He lifted his chin, his red bangs swaying, looking proud. "That's the kind of woman I, Riley, fall for!"
Darius and Trevor exchanged a look and sighed in unison.
Look at Riley, completely mesmerized by that beauty.
"Let's go, let's go! We have to get over there. I have to find out my goddess's name!" Riley Riley said,
nevernet
dragging his two friends along as he rushed inside.
But when he got into the hallway, he looked left and right and saw no sign of Serena.
This was the only way to the banquet hall. How could his goddess have vanished? Riley scratched the back of his head and nudged the two behind him. "Did you see her?"
Trevor and Darius were about to answer when they saw someone walking toward them.
Instantly, both of them stiffened and stood ramrod straight, their entire bodies tensing up.
When Riley didn't get an answer, he grew impatient and nudged them harder. "Are you two mute? I asked if you saw my g-"
"Riley."
A low, cool voice suddenly rang out.
The voice wasn't loud, but it was enough to make Riley freeze, as if someone had hit the pause button.
Nicholas's cold, handsome face came into view.
"Ni-Nicholas...” Riley shrank back.
The man's gaze was indifferent as he glanced at him. “The banquet is about to start. What are you doing loitering here?"
"Just..." Riley remembered Nicholas had just been talking with Serena in the
dressing room. Maybe his cousin knew the goddess's name?
He stammered, wanting to ask for information about Serena.
But when he met Nicholas's cool, indifferent eyes, he couldn't get a single word out.
His mouth opened and closed a few times before he weakly lowered his head. “We're... we're heading to the banquet hall now..."
Nicholas gave him a cool glance, said nothing more, and strode toward the banquet hall.
His figure was tall and elegant from behind.
Only after his silhouette had completely disappeared from view did the three of them
let out a breath, looking as if they'd just survived a disaster.
Riley could feel a layer of cold sweat on his back.
"Riley, your cousin... is terrifying!" Trevor said, rubbing his head.
Darius nodded. "My legs are still jelly!"
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Riley pounded his chest and then clenched his fist. "Let's go! The banquet's about to start. We'll go to
the main hall and ask Brianna about
the goddess!"