Chapter 10

The WhatsApp text from Wilson read, "Don't forget you still owe me a meal." As Yvette read it, she couldn't help picturing Wilson flirtatiously and arrogantly smirking. She pursed her lips while typing a simple "okay" and sent it to him. At the same time, she changed his contact name to "Womanizer." … Wilson sat in the main seat at Royal Pavilion. His devilishly handsome face was devoid of emotion. He also radiated an overbearing presence, deterring others from daring to approach him. The women around him dared not get too close, regardless of how infatuated they were with him. "What's this? Who's angered our esteemed Mr. Quinn this time?" A sing-song voice rang out before a charming man entered the private room. That man, Collin Steele, didn't wait for Wilson to respond. Instead, he continued, "Don't tell me you're frustrated because your grandma is nagging at you to get married again." He knew that apart from Martha, those who could piss Wilson off in Jubilife City were already long buried in their graves. Wilson couldn't be bothered to respond. His focus remained on his and Yvette's chat. She still hadn't replied to his text, which made his eyes darken like a storm. "I heard the Murrays are hosting a banquet to celebrate the return of their lost daughter. Will you be attending your future fiancée's banquet, Wilson?" Collin's taunting tone rang out again. Wilson's otherwise beguiling eyes that could hook anyone in narrowed dangerously. Even his voice lost all warmth as he spoke. "I have no fiancée. Don't ever let me hear that word from your lips again." Collin smirked at this. "Mr. and Mrs. Murray are renowned for being beautiful people in high society. Their genetics can't be that bad. If you ask me, I bet their daughter will be just as attractive as they are. Are you sure you'll cancel the marriage arrangements without even meeting the girl?" "You talk too much." Wilson's frosty gaze swept past Collin as he snapped, "Do you wish to get sold off abroad to work for others that badly?" It didn't matter to him how amazing the Murray family's heiress was. As for Collin, he zipped his lips once the former threatened him. Yet, it didn't last more than a few minutes because he began blabbering away soon after. "Oh, alright, alright. Since you're unwilling to form a marriage allegiance with the Murrays, I'm going to pursue their daughter!" Men like Collin and Wilson were heirs to wealthy families. Their marriages were often arranged with wealthy heiresses. Instead of letting his family members choose his bride, Collin would rather pick someone he found pleasant to his eyes. "Do as you please," was the only thing that came out of Wilson's thin, seductive lips. Then, his gaze settled back onto his phone. The frost in his eyes melted away slightly once he saw he had received a reply. Although Yvette had only answered with a simple "okay", it was still better than her not replying at all. Collin was curious about what made Wilson's mood improve all of a sudden. Curiosity and doubt filled Collin's mind as he leaned closer, trying to peek at what was on Wilson's phone. Alas, he met the latter's stern, warning glare before he could even read a word. He stopped trying to peek while muttering begrudgingly, "Oh, fine. Keep whatever it is to yourself, then. How mean…" Although Collin didn't see the text, Samuel, who was stood aside, got the full view. Samuel couldn't help clicking his tongue in secret, thinking it was ridiculous that Wilson was so overjoyed with a curt reply. It seemed to him that Wilson was under that woman's total control. Just then, the assistant behind Collin received some information. He then reported to Collin respectfully, "The men in our group want to meet you, Mr. Steele. They want your help in capturing a woman—" Before he could finish, Wilson's cold tone rang out again. He said, "Exterminate those men, and have them disappear from Jubilife City." Upon hearing that, Collin couldn't help voicing his confusion. "Did the gang cross you, Wilson?" Wilson never questioned the minor details. However, he wanted to eliminate the group out of the blue today, which was too unusual. "No," replied Wilson. His eyes narrowed slightly as he drawled, "I just like helping others." … The banquet took place at 7:00 pm the next day. Yara and Irwin wanted to demonstrate how much Yvette meant to them. Thus, they organized a grand banquet, inviting all the prestigious and wealthy families in Jubilife City. Yasmin wanted to impress everyone, so she put on her makeup and got dressed early. Then, she joined Yara in welcoming the guests. She kept showing herself off as if today's banquet was in her honor. "Woah, you're so beautiful today, Yasmin! That dress you're wearing has to be from Chanel, right?" "That dress is worth a couple million dollars! As expected of the Murrays. Your parents are truly the wealthiest people in Jubilife City. They must adore you to bits!" "Of course! Yasmin's incredibly talented, after all! Oh, right. I heard you're performing a piano piece today. Everyone's looking forward to enjoying your talents!" Yasmin basked in everyone's praise. A smug grin smeared across her face, but she put on a humble front. "You're all too kind. My piano skills are average, so don't expect too much from me later." All the socialites were quick to speak up when they heard her response. "Don't be so modest, Yasmin! You won first place in a piano competition, after all. Who could possibly be better than you at playing the instrument?" "Yeah! You don't have to sell yourself short." "Also, Yasmin. Isn't tonight's banquet in honor of your older sister, whom your family found in the countryside? Why hasn't she shown up yet?" "Indeed. Your sister still hasn't arrived and is making you welcome the guests? How rude of her!" The smugness in Yasmin's eyes deepened as she listened to the complaints targeting Yvette. Still, she warmly explained, "Yvie has slummed in the countryside for years. It's only natural that she's unaware of social customs. It's fine if I welcome the guests for her." At first listen, it sounded like Yasmin was explaining on Yvette's behalf. Yet, in actuality, she was throwing subtle jabs at the latter. As Yasmin expected, the socialites grimaced at once. "I knew it. We can't expect a bumpkin, who grew up in the countryside, to have any manners. She's totally incomparable to you!" "I have no idea what Mr. and Mrs. Murray are thinking. They're even hosting this grand banquet in her honor. Aren't they worried that country girl will embarrass them?" "Don't say such things, you guys. Yvie has roamed the countryside all these years alone. Uncle Irwin and Aunt Yara feel guilty, so it's natural that they host such a grand party," said Yasmin. In those few words, she managed to make Yara and Irwin's love for Yvette sound more like pity. The socialites immediately caught Yasmin's drift and started to butter her up more. After all, they believed the Murrays' pity wouldn't last long. What would a country bumpkin like Yvette have to depend on once the Murrays grew tired of pitying her? On the other hand, Yasmin was different; she had grown up alongside the Murrays for years and was an outstanding figure. Such was the kind of person the socialites needed to curry favors with. "You're too nice, Yasmin! That's why she's treating you like this!" "Oh, Yasmin. I heard those country folk don't bathe and are filthy to the bone. Is she like that, too?" "I bet she is. I'm guessing she has coarse and damaged skin from living in harsh conditions. She must be an ugly duckli—"