Simon’s hand froze mid–air, the coffee cup hovering as he frowned. He could already guess what Nellie was scheming- ‘Really? She just got Yvette back home, and now she wants to embarrass her? What kind of lousy n is this? Who knows what other tricks she’ll pull at the banquet? he thought.


    Initially, Simon had not nned on attending. He and Tobias were supposed to head home that day to deal with some matters. But now, watching Yvette happily munching on her chips, he changed his mind.


    He’d go to the Chambers family banquet–just to make sure nothing unexpected happened to her. If Jeremiah was going, Simon wouldn’t be as worried. But knowing him, Jeremiah probably wouldn’t attend.


    Crowds were never his thing. In all his years in Betrico, Jeremiah had barely attended any banquets, and events in a small ce like Seacrity were unlikely to change that. No one could convince him otherwise.


    Simon sighed, his mind drifting to the past. “Nellie isn’t easy to deal with. When she was younger, she was known for being stubborn and spoiled. After your mom passed, she got pregnant with your dad’s child, which stirred up a scandal among the elite.


    He continued. “Mr. Matthew Chambers practically threatened to end his own life if your dad didn’t agree to the marriage. Your dad eventually gave in. So, Nellie married into the Chambers family, just like she wanted. Over time, she cleaned up her act, and people started forgetting her past.”


    “These days, she has a solid reputation among high society. But still, people can change, and you never know their true intentions. If she ns to host both events at the same banquet, be cautious. Better safe than sorry, he added.


    Yvette’s hand paused on her coffee cup, and surprise flickered briefly in her usually calm eyes. She tapped the cup thoughtfully before nodding. “Yeah, I’ll keep that in mind.”


    Later, at 9:00 p.m. in Argrol University’s library, Andrew had been pestering Jeremiah for two hours, trying to convince him to go to the bar. Jeremiah remained unyielding, his eyes calmly scanning the pages of a ssic novel.


    Andrew wore his most charming smile. “Jeremiah, I was wrong. I really didn’t know Yvette would leave right after thepetition. Come on, be the bigger person, and let it slide just this once.”


    Finally, Jeremiah closed his book and stood. He was dressed in perfectly pressed pants, not a wrinkle in sight. His action made Andrew’s face light up with hope. But Jeremiah’s cold words quickly dashed his excitement. “No,” Jeremiah said.


    Andrew’s smile fell. ‘All Arnold’s fault for insisting that Jeremiah keep an eye on me, he thought.


    If Arnold found out he went to the bar again, he’d probably drag him back to Betrico for a beating so severe he wouldn’t get out of bed for days. He had experienced that once when he defied Arnold, and he had no desire for a repeat.


    Desperate, Andrew moved around Jeremiah, suddenly struck by an idea. His eyes lit up. “Come on, Jeremiah! Let me go just this once. Keep it quiet, and I swear, whatever you need, I’m there. I’d even take a bullet for you!”


    Andrew almost convinced himself with his own words, but Jeremiah’s expression didn’t change. “No”


    Andrew slumped in defeat. ‘Fine. If he says no, it’s no. Jeremiah’s just being petty because I didn’t tell him about Yvette leaving. Choosing a girl over your best friend. How typicall he thought.All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    Outside the library, Winona stood alone in the cold night, wearing a white V–neck dress that left her legs exposed below the knee. She had meticulously applied her makeup to attract attention, but in the chilly breeze, she looked pitiful, hugging herself for warmth.


    When Jeremiah and Andrew walked out, they spotted her by the door, her face flushed from the cold. As they approached, Winona sulitly shifted in their direction, pretending not to notice them. She “identally tripped on a small stone, teetering as if she were about to fall into Jeremiah’s arms.


    But things didn’t | go as nned. Instead of catching her, Jeremiah sidestepped smoothly, avoiding herpletely. Winona’s eyes widened in shock, and she tried to stop herself, but she had put too much force into the fake fall. Now, there was no stopping it.


    She hit the ground hard, her white dress tearing and getting dirty. The pain was very real this time, and tears welled in her eyes. She looked up at Jeremiah, her tear–filled eyes brimming with emotion.


    Andrew snorted, thinking. This trick? Winona doesn’t realize this act is so overyed among the socialites in Betrico.


    Jeremiah didn’t even nce her way. He had seen plenty of women–far more beautiful and interesting–and none had caught his attention. Andrew struggled to suppress hisughter, crossing his arms as he watched Winona’s performance.


    In her usual soft voice, Winona called out, “Mr. Chavez, I’ve twisted my ankle. Could you help me?”


    Jeremiah calmly pulled out his phone, his long fingers tapping a quick message to Yvette,pletely ignoring Winona on the ground. Winona, though embarrassed, still felt a twisted sense of satisfaction. Only a man like him is worthy of me. I’ll do whatever it takes to win him over, she thought.


    When Jeremiah finished his text, he finally nced down at her Winona’s heart leaped; her face looked even more pitiable, as though she might burst into tears at any moment. “Mr. Chavez, please help me. My ankle hurts so much,‘ she said.


    Without a word, Jeremiah pulled a tissue from his pocket, wiped his hands, and tossed it casually onto Winona’s dress. In azy tone, he said, “Sorry, I don’t pick up trash.


    Winona’s face turned pale, her hands trembling as rage boiled inside her. She thought to herself, “What did he just say? I thought Jeremiah would treat me with gentleness,passion, affection, admiration, or even infatuation. ver imagined he would be so heartless and cold…


    Never in her life had anyone called her trash. She stared at Jeremiah in disbelief, thinking, “How could someone so powerful and mysterious say that? Why would he humiljate me like this?


    However, she swallowed her anger, refusing to believe that Jeremiah could be indifferent to a woman throwing herself at him. ‘Even if he’s with Yvette, does he really n to stay faithful to her forever?‘ she thought. She refused to ept it.


    When Winona looked up again, there was no hint of displeasure in her eyes; instead, she maintained a pitiful expression toward Jeremiah, her voice softened. “Mr. Chavez, if you don’t want to help me, that’s fine. But why insult me?*


    Winona decided to change tactics. Since Jeremiah didn’t respond to her previous approach, she would try something new. After all, she had pretended for years by ying the role Victor wanted. She could easily pretend to be the kind of person Jeremiah liked. There was no real difference.


    Andrew, observing her effortlessly shifting emotions, was almost impressed. ‘She’s like a character straight out of a role- ying game, he thought. But unfortunately for her, this was Jeremiah, and he wasn’t ying along.


    Jeremiah’s expression remained unreadable. He looked down at her, his tone indifferent. “You want me to help you?”


    Andrew’s eyes widened in surprise. ‘No way! Is Jeremiah actually falling for this?‘ he thought.


    Winona’s heart soared as she thought, ‘So he’s not immune after all. She bit her lip, pretending to stay strong.