Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Aurelia didn’t have time for many questions.

She hurriedly exited the subway and hailed a taxi to the address Linda had sent her.

It was an upscale restaurant.

It had a romantic setting with crystal chandeliers, a wall adorned with fresh flowers, and the gentle hum of instrumental music radiating an air of sophistication.

A sign stood tall outside the entrance, reading “Social Golf Club.”

Was this a subtle matchmaking event?

Aurelia’s mind was filled with question marks.

Linda had mentioned being divorced for a long time. Could this be an attempt at… late–life romance?

Linda aged gracefully, looking more like someone in her early forties than her fifties. She was always elegant in her attire, so finding a companion wouldn’t be challenging.

But why did she invite her?

As Aurelia pondered, a hand reached out to pull her behind a cluster of greenery.

“Aurelia, you’ve finally arrived.”

“Ms. Linda? Why are you out here? Are you here for a blind date?” Aurelia inquired.

Linda chuckled as she removed her sunglasses.

“At my age, I’m not interested in dealing with the hassle of a man. It’s my son who’s on at blind date today. Unbelievably, he’s stuck with a shameless woman. He’s ignoring her, and she’s already badmouthing him. I convinced my son to attend this blind date, and I don’t want this woman ruining it for him. Can you go in and help me handle the situation?”

“Ms. Linda, don’t worry. Which one is your son?” Aurelia reassured, supporting Linda, who was visibly upset.

“By the window, second table. He’s wearing a black shirt. His name is Leslie, thirty years old, 189 cm tall, with an average personality but good looks. And he’s…”

“Stop, I see him. You don’t need to tell me all the details,” Aurelia interrupted.

After all, it wasn’t her blind date.

Aurelia brushed aside the foliage before her. She spotted the man seated near the window, his back facing her.

Though his face was concealed, his tall, imposing figure exuded a chilly presence.

His slender hand gracefully held the glass, and the champagne inside accentuated the ivory- like whiteness of his fingers as it swayed gently.

The glass reflected his profile, showcasing a sense of depth and tranquility.

On the other hand, the woman sitting across from him in an off–the–shoulder gown didn’t

look pleased.

Despite her attractive appearance, her eyes were filled with disdain, and she frequently raised an eyebrow, appearing somewhat sharp.

Observing this, Linda nudged Aurelia. “Aurelia, I’m counting on you.”

“Well, but…” Aurelia gestured towards the people in the hall and said, “Can I enter such an upscale social event?”

“Don’t worry. I’ve got it covered for you. If anyone stops you, just show them this card. They’ll surely let you in.”

Linda handed her a card adorned with an orchid.

“Alright.”

Aurelia hesitated for a moment but eventually agreed.

Holding the card, she entered the hall, where a polite waiter intercepted her. “Miss, may I please see your invitation card?”

Aurelia presented the orchid card. The waiter’s expression momentarily froze before he lowered his arm and respectfully nodded. “Miss, please come in.”

“Thank you.”

Aurelia looked at the card in her hand, wondering what kind of card was this powerful.

Could Linda have joined as a member for her son’s blind date? A parent’s love knew no bounds.

Careful not to lose the card, Aurelia placed it in her bag and walked straight to the window. Even before she could speak, she heard the acerbic voice of the woman.

“Who do you think you are? Everyone in this place is worth a fortune. You, a programmer pulling in a measly twenty grand, cruising around in a run–down Volkswagen. If it weren’t for your half–decent looks, do you really think I’d pay you any attention?

“I was just showing you a bit of courtesy and letting you treat me to a drink. If you don’t apologize, I’ll ensure no one here bothers to talk to you. You would have squandered quite a sum on those membership fees.”

The

woman finished with a disdainful snort, but her gaze greedily fixated on the man’s face. Her fingertips coquettishly twirled strands of hair around her chest.

Aurelia found her aggressive tone unbearable and quickly approached, standing before the table. “I…”

“I’ll talk to him then. If this young lady isn’t interested, please don’t waste our… time.” As Aurelia spoke, she turned her face toward Leslie.

But her words suddenly caught in her throat when she tried to speak.

The strikingly handsome face made a powerful impression on Aurelia.

His dark, expressive eyes, illuminated by scattered starlight, held a captivating blend of emotion and detachment, stirring the hearts of onlookers.

He was genuinely handsome but not a bit effeminate. His features were cool and reserved, and a slight furrow added a compelling presence that seemed overwhelming.

Chapter 2

Leslie casually glanced at Aurelia, his gaze slightly intense.

He was bemused at the coincidence of meeting the hundred–thousand–dollar lady from the car park and wondered if she had come for a blind date after breaking up with her boyfriend.

Aurelia felt uneasy under his gaze.

She didn’t recognize him so it puzzled her why he was looking at her that way.

The woman across noticed Leslie staring at Aurelia and stood up

in anger.

“Look at her, dressed in such poor attire. She’s just pretending to be rich here. What’s good about her?”

“At least her face is real. I don’t like the artificial look of technology,” Leslie replied calmly.

Leaning back, he lit a cigarette, letting the smoke veil his face, giving off a casually dangerous vibe.

The woman turned pale, quickly stood up, and sneered, “Just a poor loser who doesn’t appreciate good things.”

She deliberately bumped into Aurelia while leaving the table, giving her a fierce glare.

Aurelia felt a sharp pain in her shoulder, but she swiftly responded by extending her foot.

“Ah!” The woman stumbled and fell to the ground.

Aurelia pretended to be nervous and said, “Miss, it looks like your nose is a bit crooked.”

The woman covered her nose and stumbled out.

Conscious of Leslie’s gaze, Aurelia suppressed a smile and promptly regained a composed demeanor.

A familiar voice came from behind as she was about to explain why she was here to Leslie.

“Aurelia? What are you doing here? Are you betraying me?”

It turned out to be Seth.

Wait, wasn’t this a matchmaking event?

One moment, he talked about marrying her. The next moment, he appeared at an event like

this.

What right did he have to say anything about her?

Aurelia turned around, looking at Seth coldly.

“Why do you get to be here and I can’t? Besides, there’s no betrayal between us. We’ve already broken up.”

Seth’s eyes flared with anger. He commanded, “Go home. This isn’t a place for you.”

Aurelia couldn’t be bothered with him and sat directly across from Leslie.

“Mr. Synder, pay no attention to him. Let’s continue.”

Leslie remained silent, smoking indifferently, completely ignoring Seth.

Seth, feeling slighted by another man, found it intolerable. He glanced at the identification

card on Leslie’s table and couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Aurelia, this is your next partner? A mere programmer? Can he satisfy your conditions?”

“Seth! It’s none of your business!” Aurelia warned, looking at Seth.

But Seth, finally grasping an opportunity to salvage his pride, wasn’t willing to let it slip away.

Leaning on the table, he approached Leslie and looked down at him condescendingly.

“Buddy, I don’t mean to cause any trouble, but I’m afraid you’ve been deceived. She was with me over an hour ago and is now meeting you. She’s trying to pass the buck to you. Don’t you know how greedy she is?”

Upon hearing this, Aurelia’s hand beneath the table tightened.

In their three years of relationship, she always thought they would maintain some dignity. even if they broke i

She never expected to be viewed so poorly by him.

She took a deep breath and picked up the glass before Leslie, splashing it on Seth’s face.

“Wake up! Do you want to check the identity card on your collar? Department Director? When did you rise to that position? An annual salary of a million? Platform Credits? What rights do you have to talk about others?

“Aurelia!”

Seth stared in astonishment at Aurelia. He had never imagined that the obedient and sensible girl would resist.

Due to Aurelia’s words, people around pointed fingers at him, fueling his embarrassment and

anger.

Without a second thought, he swung his hand toward Aurelia.

However, Leslie intercepted him, gripping his wrist and pressing it onto the table, causing him to grimace in pain.

While Seth grimaced, Leslie remained calm and indifferent.

He even took a moment to pinch the cigarette between his fingers, letting the faint tobacco. scent linger in the air.

His expression remained impassive as he spoke, “Fake watch, fake necklace, fake belt, fake identity. Membership fees here are not cheap. If you don’t want to be exposed and thrown out, I suggest you get out of my sight immediately.”

“You…” Seth’s eyes widened.

He bought meticulously crafted replicas. How could a programmer possibly see through them? “Three, two…” Leslie began a countdown, his voice low and steady.

“Fine, I’ll leave.”

Seth pulled his hand free, adjusted his coat with dissatisfaction, and shot a disapproving look at Aurelia, pointing at his identity card.

“Aurelia, before long, this will be my status. I know you love me deeply. I’ll give you the

chance to regret losing me.”

“Just go away.”

Aurelia found even a single word from him grating.

As Seth departed, Aurelia looked at Leslie with gratitude.

Before she could express her thanks, another figure sat down beside her.

“Aurelia, congratulations on breaking up with that son of a bitch. He started attending these matchmaking events a month ago to lure women.”

It was Linda speaking.

Aurelia realized that Linda had purposely brought her here to expose Seth’s true nature. A month ago, her mother fell seriously ill.

It turned out that Seth’s so–called unwavering love was all an act.

He had considered her a fallback option while actively seeking a better way out.

“Ms. Linda, thank you,” Aurelia said, feeling relieved.-

“Don’t mention it. To get back on track, how about you marry my son?” Linda suggested. Aurelia was left speechless.