Hmm, this young lady is arrogant.
âI just came back today. What can I do for you?â Levant inquired coolly.
The lady walked to the table and towered above him.
âWho is she?â
Levant placed his cutlery down. âLet me introduce you to Nicole Lane, a good friend of mine. This is my cousin, Daphne Ankins.â
Cousin?
Is she the one skilled in acupuncture?
Oh, this is great. I donât have to plan for an encounter.
Should I befriend her to help with my investigation?
âFriend? Levant, when did you befriend someone this lowly? Look how excited she is. She must be scheming something, so be careful.â
Her nasty words hit Nicole hard.
But to think about it, Levant was a nobleman. She was just a lowly commoner, after all.
Daphneâs right. Iâm actually scheming things, but my target isnât Levan but you, dear Daphne.
âSheâs right. Iâm lucky to have met you, Mr. Levant.â
âNicole, donât belittle yourself.â
âLevant, sheâs right. At least she knows her place.â
Levant glanced at his petty cousin, who was putting on a haughty look.
However, Nicole couldnât be bothered about Daphneâs attitude as she came here with a motive. So she decided that temporary setbacks would always be overshadowed by persistence as long as she achieved her goals. Hence, the most important thing now was to befriend Daphne.
âMs. Ankins, you havenât had dinner yet, right? Come, join us for dinner.â
Daphne looked at Nicole before turning to Levant.
But he said nothing.
Is he not welcoming me? Fine. Iâll stay against his wishes. Daphne huffed silently.
She plopped down on a seat next to Levant before informing the maids to prepare her utensils.
âLevant, youâve lost weight. Eat up.â
Levant just ignored her. âNicole, you should eat more,â he told her.
She looked up and met Daphneâs malicious gaze.
She had a jolting shock.
Why is Daphne staring at me like Iâm her love rival? Is she seriously thinking that Iâm her enemy?
She seems extremely jealous. Obviously, sheâs in love with him. But isnât Levant her cousin? So can they be together?
Nicole pondered for a while before she concluded. Perhaps these two arenât really related. She might be adopted or something. As they are not blood-related, they can be together.
As she wanted to befriend Daphne, she took a piece of fish and placed it on her plate. âMs. Ankins, eat up.â
âStop giving me food. Thatâs filthy.â
Nicole froze at her rude comment.
Daphne picked up the piece of fish and threw it on the table in disgust.
Fine, I was wrong.
Some people are seriously annoying.
I wouldnât have given you the fish if I donât need your help!
Nicole proceeded to ignore her and resumed eating.
After filling her stomach, she stood up and announced. âIâm done. Iâll go back to my room now.â
âIâll escort you,â said Levant as he rose to his feet.
âItâs alright. Please continue eating,â replied Nicole as she left the dining room.
âLevant, I have something to tell you.â
He glowered at her before sitting down. âWhat is it?â
Daphne waited until Nicoleâs figure disappeared from sight before she spoke, âLevant, who is Ms. Lane? Donât forget that Iâm your fiancée.â
âFiancée? Really?â He scoffed as if he had heard a joke, then his gaze at her coldly.
âLevant, donât forget youâre nothing without Aunt Portia! You have to marry me!â
âYes, I owe your aunt a favor, but I donât love you. I wonât marry you just to repay the favor.â