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Upon hearing that, Everard lifted his eyelids, a hint of impatience flickering in his eyes.
If it werenât for Cordelia, did they really think heâd bother with these high schoolers?
He turned on heel, heading back the way he came. But after a few steps, he caught Hanleyâs words, âYou being with her is just going to make her the butt of jokes. The whole schoolâs buzzing with rumors about you two.
you care about her reputation at all? Youâre worlds apart, man. Sheâs just slumming it with you for
kicks.â
At that, Everard halted, spun around, and said coolly, âBut she doesnât even have the slightest interest in slumming it with you.â
That one sentence turned Hanleyâs face as red as a ripe tomato, silencing him at last.
He at Everard for a moment before huffing and storming through the school gates.
Everard strolled down to Midnight Scent, his expression unreadable, a chill and indomitable aura about him. The sunlight draped over him with indifference, failing to impart even a trace of warmth.
His strides werenât hurried, but they were efficient. Upon Midnight Scent, he slipped behind the counter into the shadows and finally relaxed, leaning back in his chair and picking up a copy of âThe Bible.â
Calvert sidled up, holding two invitations.
One was bordered with black and gold, the lettering gilded, the kind reserved for VIPS. A Griffin family invitation like that was rare commodity.
âBoss, you going?â Calvert inquired.
Everard shot him a frosty glance and retorted, âWhat do you think?â
Calvert chuckled nervously, âOf course not. If word got out you were here, Greenmeadow would go up in flames.â
No sooner had he finished speaking than the door to Midnight Scent was pushed open and in strutted a youth, his stature tall and rebellious. His fiery red hair seemed ablaze atop his head.
He had slung his school blazer carelessly over one shoulder, and the lollipop bulging his cheek gave his profile a cheeky edge. His piercing eyes fixed on Everard with a baleful glare.
Everard continued reading, unfazed.
Calvert, eyes wide with curiosity, watched Yates, the notorious grandson of the Griffin family, appear to be making another donation.
With that thought, he saw Yates saunter over to the counter and hand Everard an invitation, and it was for the Griffin familyâs grand celebration.
Everard raised an eyebrow.
Yates then turned to Calvert, his gaze briefly sweeping over the invitation in Calvertâs hand
Calvert swiftly pocketed the invite, leaving Yates with only a fleeting glimpse. It been too quick to be sure, but it looked suspiciously like the gilded invitation his family out.
Yates shook his head. Hackett had said that the invitation was meant for someone important, someone unlikely to show. It was just a formality. How could it possibly be here?
With these thoughts, Yates noticed Calvertâs gaze. For some reason, he felt a twinge of guilt and blustered, âDonât think just because Iâm giving you this invite that I approve of you. Iâm doing it so Boss Cordelia doesnât get ridiculed.â
Everardâs eyes narrowed slightly, his tone icy, âYouâre quite concerned about her, arenât you?â
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Yates got even more flustered. With an even more irritable and impatient tone, he snapped, âWhy the hell are you asking? Sheâs the boss of my Flame Union. Of course, Iâll look out for her. Just you wait, after I beat her, Iâll be the boss, and then Iâll make sure she dumps you.â
After taking a step back and giving Everard one last look, he sneered, âAnd remember to dress sharp for the event. Donât embarrass Liaâ
With that, he spun on his heels and left.
The hum of Midnight Scent subsided.
Calvert eyed the invitation for moment, then looked at Everard, who was still absorbed in his book, showing no sign of concern about the event.
Indeed, why would Everard go to a party?
He reached out to take the invitation, but before he could turn away, Everard spoke up, âYou heard him?â
Calvert, puzzled, waited.
âDress sharp?â Everard added.
Calvert was baffled. Wasnât Everard just saying he wouldnât go? And now he was talking about dressing sharp?
As Yates left Midnight Scent behind, he glanced back to see the signboard, which failed to catch any glint from the sun, appearing as dim as Everard.
Yates felt irked. That pretty boy, with his good looks and his Bible, what did Cordelia see in him?
With that thought, Yates quickened his steps, heading back to school.
Having been delayed, he was now late. Instead of entering through the main gate, he skirted to the side and hopped the fence.
He didnât head for his own classroom but stopped outside Classroom 1. Leaning against the back wall, he peered in.
Cordelia was in the last row, her gaze fixed attentively on the teacher.
She sat upright, seemingly tireless, pen in hand. While other students would drift off, Cordelia stayed focused throughout the entire lesson.
As the bell rang and the teacher left, Yates pushed open the door and called out, âBoss Cordelia.â
Cordelia turned slowly, and upon seeing him, stepped out. She still held her pen, apparently mulling problem. With a lack of urgency, she asked, âWhat is it?â
Yates cleared his throat, âLetâs have ourselves little competition. If I win, Iâm the boss.â
âOkay.â
Cordelia gazed at Yates, making him soften his tone involuntarily, âSo, to the field?â he asked.
After a pause, Cordelia replied, âNo need.â She slipped the pen into her blazer pocket and massaged her wrist,
âItâs a waste of time.â
With that, she stepped forward.
Thud.â
Once again, Yates found himself sprawled out on the floor, unable to move. But time, at least, he had managed to dodge two of Cordeliaâs swift moves.
Releasing her grip, Cordelia said, âIf youâre alright, Iâm heading inside.â
Struggling to get back on his feet, Yates muttered, âYeah sure.â
Another attempt to best Cordelia had ended in failure. He remained the Flame Unionâs second boss. Yates
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Chapter 109
sighed, resigning himself to the fact that if he couldnât get Lia to dump that pretty boy Everard, heâd just have to keep a close eye on him at the banquet, to prevent any embarrassing mishaps.
The two days leading up to the event flew by.
On the day of Hackettâs birthday, Cordelia left school early to get home and slip into her customâmade cocktail dress. Then, the family of three got into the car and drove off to the Griffin estate.
They arrived just as the folks from the old mansion were pulling up. As they got out of the car, their butler, Steward, came over and said, âTonightâs the night we find out just who this Calvert fellow really is. Everyone, be on your toes, and letâs see if we can get an introduction.â