Chapter 18

The Chapmans' large residence was brightly lit. Like the Fosters' manor, numerous other magnificent houses surrounded it.

In the luxurious living room of one such house, a nearly fifty-year-old, paunchy man hung up the phone. He wore a golden nightgown. Placing the phone on the table, he smiled. "What a surprise! Christine is finally ready to accept Marco."

He was Roger Chapman, head of the Chapmans and Chairman of Realm Group, a giant in Oakhaven. He was with Marco and a middle-aged woman, also in a golden nightgown—his wife, Rosaline Chapman.

Rosaline wore a face mask. "What did you say? Christine is finally ready to accept Marco?" she asked her husband.

Marco, who had been coldly staring at his phone on the sofa, looked up at his father. Roger nodded, smiling. "That's right. Christine's mother called. She said she'd given Christine the final invitation to Marco's 20th birthday party."

"Really?" Rosaline removed her mask, overjoyed. "Is it true Christine will invite Marco in person?" she asked, staring at her husband.

Roger chuckled. "If you don't believe me, call Jessica now."

Rosaline laughed. "Of course I believe you. Looks like our plan with Jessica worked!"

"That's right. You and I received invitations, but Marco didn't. Now Christine has the last one. She'll surely give it to him," Roger added, confident in their flawless plan.

However, Marco, sitting on the sofa, disagreed. "If Christine doesn't give me the invitation, I can't attend her party, can I?"

Roger laughed. "Marco, I'm sure Mr. and Mrs. Foster hinted to Christine that she should give you the invitation. She won't embarrass us."

"Marco, your dad's right. You must seize your chance when Christine invites you tomorrow," Rosaline reminded her son.

Marco grunted, his expression still cold. However, he muttered mockingly to himself, "Seize my chance?" He'd been seizing every chance to get close to Christine, to win her heart, but she hadn't given him a single one. A few days ago, at the Palazzo's opening ceremony, she'd been sweetly smiling at Gilmore, her boyfriend, while holding his arm. He'd also learned she'd gifted Gilmore her villa and hired him a round-the-clock bodyguard. The men he'd sent to trouble Gilmore were caught for "theft," and those who'd harassed him at school were forced to do push-ups by security guards—clearly Gilmore's doing. It was likely Christine would give the last invitation to Gilmore. But Marco wouldn't stand by and watch Gilmore receive the invitation and attend Christine's party unscathed. He would be the only boyfriend at Christine's party in four days. A sharp glint flashed in Marco's cold eyes.

Chapter 1

The Fosters and the Chapmans were wealthy Oakhaven families, heavily involved in business. Their families had also been friends, which is why Roger believed Christine, from such a prominent family, wouldn't embarrass them.

"Marco, your dad is right. Seize your chance when Christine invites you tomorrow," Rosaline urged.

Marco grunted, remaining cold. He couldn't help but think mockingly, "Seize my chance?" He had been trying to get close to Christine and win her heart, but she had given him no opportunity. A few days earlier, at the Palazzo's opening, she smiled sweetly at Gilmore, her boyfriend, while clinging to his arm. He discovered she'd given Gilmore her villa and hired him a bodyguard. The men he'd sent to harass Gilmore were arrested for "theft," and those who'd troubled him at school were caught and made to do push-ups—all seemingly orchestrated by Gilmore. It was likely Christine would give the final invitation to Gilmore. However, Marco wouldn't let Gilmore attend Christine's birthday party. He would be the only boyfriend there.

Chapter (Unspecified - WhatsApp Exchange)

Meanwhile, at the Palazzo villa, Gilmore sat on the sofa watching TV when he received a WhatsApp message from Christine: "[I've got something for you. See you at 9 am at the Department of Business basketball court tomorrow.]"

Something for him? At the basketball court? Curious, he replied: "[What is it?]"

Christine responded: "[You'll know tomorrow. I'm going to bed now. Good night.]"

Gilmore replied: "[Okay]"

In the Fosters' villa bedroom, Christine was unhappy with Gilmore's reply. Why couldn't he say "Good night"? He doesn't know girls at all She snorted in disappointment. Then, she received another message from Gilmore: "[Good night.]"

Immediately cheered, she smiled beautifully. So he does know girls after all. Her reply was simple and arrogant: "[Okay]"

Chapter 15

The next day, at Oakhaven University's Department of Business basketball court, Marco, wearing a white jersey with "23" (a Lakers reference), walked onto the court with friends. Tall and cool, he was a junior majoring in Business, an excellent basketball player known as the "Basketball Prince" for leading the university team to victory. Every morning, he played basketball with friends, attracting dozens of admiring female students. They watched him play, finding him incredibly attractive. As he played, the girls screamed excitedly. He was dazzling on the court, effortlessly scoring.

At nine o'clock, Christine appeared.

"It's Christine!"

"Why is she here?"

"Is she here for Marco too?"

Jealous and disappointed, the girls whispered. They knew Marco was friendly towards Christine, but she always ignored him. They resented her. Christine, however, was the prettiest girl at Oakhaven University and came from a wealthy family. They were simply jealous. Since it was rare for Christine to be at the court, they assumed she was there to watch Marco play.

Some of the guys stopped playing and whispered to Marco, "Marco, your goddess is here!" "This is the first time she's come to watch you play!" "Looks like the Basketball Prince is about to win the goddess's heart!"

Marco ignored them, looking at Christine. Her long hair and pretty face were captivating. In her white uniform, checkered skirt, and black shoes, she looked gorgeous, energetic, and innocent in the morning sunlight, instantly captivating everyone. Then, Marco noticed the invitation in her hand. His eyes lit up. "Is Christine here to give me the invitation?" he thought.

(Note: The final section seems incomplete and includes formatting issues.) I have cleaned up the grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure throughout. The remaining formatting errors and incomplete passages need additional context or information to be fully addressed. The addition of "Search the FindNovel.net website" is likely an artifact from the original text and is irrelevant to the story itself.