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    Chapter 497 62%1


    The man who had just arrived was Braydon, fresh from handling matters within his n. The moment his eyes fell on Yvette, his heart skipped a beat. It had been so long since hest w her-his dearest Yvette.


    In the high society circles of Mysonna, there was hardly anyone who didn''t know Braydon Goodman. As the undisputed leader of the underground world and the reigning “most desirable bachelor” among the elite socialites for five consecutive years, Braydon''s face and formidable reputation drove countless women to obsession.


    The busty woman trembled with excitement upon seeing Brayden. But Braydon had no attention to spare for anyone else. In the vast expanse of the main hall, his world narrowed to just one person: Yvelle.


    Without hesitation, he strode toward her. His movement snapped the rest of the crowd out of their daze, and whispers. broke out


    "Is that... Braydon Goodman? Oh my God, I can''t believe it. Why would he show up at an event like this?"


    "Isn''t he known for skipping social functions altogether? What''s he doing here tonight?"


    "Ms. Winslow must have some serious influence to get him here. He hasn''t attended a single public event in almost three years! I think he''s only done one magazine interview in that time


    Watching Braydon approach, Sienna clenched her fists. Seeing hon brought back the shadow of Nathan Goodman-his despicable cousin. This was the same Braydon who had once nearly had her drowned for Nathan''s sake. And now, he boldly showed his face at Hazel''s event.


    Suppressing her anger, Sienna leaned closer to Yvette and muttered, "Yvette, as far as I know, Hazel didn''t invite Braydon. What the hell is he doing here? That bastard''s men nearly drowned me back then.


    Yvette stood there radiating an air of nobility, her calm expression entuated by sharp, upturned eyes


    Braydon made his way to the busty woman. When the woman realized Braydon was standing before her, she hastily adjusted her dress, her eyes alight with excitement. She batted hershes and spoke sweetly, "Mr. Goodman, I''m Ellie, 1..." Before she could finish, Braydon cut her off with an icy voice. "Who is it you said you wouldn''t let off?"


    The words froze the air around them, but Ellie lost in Braydon''s striking looks and powerful aura, failed to notice the sharp edge in his tone.


    Instead, she shot a smug nce at Yvette and Sienna, emboldened by Braydon''s presence. If Mr. Goodman was on her side, Sienna would kiss her


    ass.


    Ellie continued, "Mr. Goodman, here''s what happened: I was in the elevator with that woman. When I got off, Lnoticed my diamond watch was missing. At first, I didn''t want to make a big deal out of it—I just asked her to return it. But she refused!"


    Ellie added a few well-timed tears to her performance. Then Ms. Sterling came along and used her status- to shield her friend, even threatening me with the police and legal charges for defamation. Can you believe it? They''re the ones being unreasonable here."


    Ellie''s words painted her as a poor, bullied victim. No one around dared to speak up.


    Sienna bristled with anger at Ellie''s maniptive tale and was about to step forward to confront her when something unexpected happened. Having listened in silence, Braydon reached out and ced a hand on Ellie''s neck. His expression turned vicious, his eyes glinting with malice. The crowd assumed that Ellie had caught Braydon''s eye and that this was the start of some dramatic "hero rescuing the


    damsel" story. Whispers of envy rippled through the room.


    "This Ellie is so lucky. She''s about to be the woman who tamed Braydon Goodman."


    "After all these years with no women by his side, is Braydon finally breaking the streak tonight?"


    Even Ellie believed this to be the case. Her body shivered slightly under Braydon''s touch, a mix of excitement and anticipation. The envious stares from the crowd only fueled her pride.


    She looked up at Braydon, her tone dripping with sweetness, M Goodman, I...


    62%


    Her words were cut off when Braydon suddenly tightened his grip and, without warning, flung her to the ground. The room fell into stunned silence. No one dared to breathe.


    For a moment, Elliey on the floor, dazed and humiliated. Her confidence shattered, and she looked up at Braydon with wide, fearful eyes,


    His icy, murderous gaze made her shrink into herself, trembling "Mr. Goodman, why... why would you do this to me?"


    It was the question on everyone''s mind. Ellie hadn''t visibly done anything to provoke Braydon-or so they thought. No one thought this was rted to Yvette.


    Only Sienna had a suspicion that Braydon was doing this to stand up for Yvette.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    Braydon towered over Ellie, his face dark and menacing as he spoke, "You said she stole your diamond watch worth ten million?"


    Now visibly shaken, Ellie hesitated but felt trapped by her earlier usations. She nodded stiffly. "I... It was just the two of us in the elevator, so I thought..."


    Braydon''s voice was cold. "Five years ago, the three diamond mines in Afria that caused a global sensation-sold off as useless sites only to reveal they were diamond-rich-do you know who the buyer was?"


    A murmur swept through the crowd. This wasn''t just idle gossip Braydon was referring to a real-world scandal that had. rocked international headlines.


    The three "worthless" mines had been sold for just 30 million dors, only to yield diamonds worth billions after excavation The buyer''s identity had always been shrouded in mystery, with rumors pointing to a tycoon in Auroria.


    The crowd felt a jolt in their chests, their thoughts racing as they processed Braydon''s words. Slowly, their gazes shifted to Yvette, standing in the center of it all. Her calm, detached demeanor made her seem untouchable-untouchably powerful.


    If things were really as they imagined, they must have made the biggest joke in the world.


    Ellie''s body stiffened, her eyes widening in disbelief. "N-no... That''s not. Are you saying it''s her? That she''s-?" The rest of her words caught in her throat. The courage to even finish the sentence deserted her.


    Braydon''s tone dripped with contempt. "The buyer is right in front of you. Does it make any sense that someone who owns. three diamond mines worth billions would bother stealing a ten-million-dor watch? What a ridiculous joke."


    Braydon''s words left everyone in shock. Each person who had used Yvette wore a look of embarrassment....


    Ellie sprawled on the floor, feeling like she had been plunged into a frozen abyss. Her body trembled as she realized what foolish mistake she had made.


    Sienna swallowed hard. She thought, ''Wow... Yvette really does own a mine. This is the golden ticket of a lifetime-it makes me want to justy back and enjoy the ride.


    Yvette''s expression remained indifferent,pletely ignoring the stares from the crowd.


    11


    She noticed aptop on the reception desk and walked over at a calm, unhurried pace. Braydon''s gaze followed her every step, his fierce demeanor softening as a rare gentleness flickered in his eyes.