Chapter 185

"You should be the one leaving," Dustin said calmly, his gaze fixed on Aaron.

The ballroom buzzed with murmurs of disbelief. The Burke family was one of Lannopolis's elite families. Even within the already affluent circles of Lannopolis Elite College, few dared to cross someone like Aaron. But Irene's date was a complete unknown, seemingly unaffiliated with any notable family. His audacity shocked them.

Phoebe sneered mockingly. She knew Aaron's temper well; he wouldn't let this insult slide. Irene's "perfect date" was in for a rough time.

Aaron's face darkened. He rose slowly, still holding the engagement ring.

"You're the first to speak to me like that," he said, his voice icy with menace. A twisted smile spread across his face. "And you'll be the last!"

"Aaron, what are you doing? Think before you act!" Irene stepped tensely in front of Dustin.

"You're defending him?" Aaron asked, his sharp, disbelieving tone dripping with venom.

Irene felt exasperated. She wasn't protecting Dustin; she was trying to save Aaron from himself. After all, the once-arrogant Aquila family had been destroyed for crossing Dustin. The Burke family's influence was hardly greater.

"Relax. I won't cause a scene," Aaron said, raising his chin arrogantly. "But I'll make sure he knows his place."

He turned to Dustin with a condescending look. "Look, I'm not unreasonable. If you're interested in Irene, let's settle this fairly," he said, holding up the ring box. "A man's worth is easily proven. Since I met Irene, I've given her million-dollar gifts on every occasion. For this proposal, I spent tens of millions at the Central Harbor Auction House on this top-quality +25 BONUS Verdigris Emerald. And you? What have you given her?"

Aaron scanned Irene for expensive accessories, finding none. "You've spent so much time with Irene. Surely you've given her something nice?"

"Aaron, I've never accepted your gifts! And whatever you think I have with Dustin… it's nothing like that!" Irene said in frustration.

Dustin raised a hand to stop her. He smiled faintly, then plucked the Verdigris Emerald ring from its box.

"This tiny pebble is smaller than my fingernail, and you spent tens of millions on it? Extravagant!" he said mockingly.

"Do you even know what this is?" Aaron shot back furiously. "This is a top-grade Verdigris Emerald! The finest you'll ever see!"

Dustin chuckled softly, shaking his head as if disappointed. "This trash? You think this is worthy of a proposal? I'd be embarrassed to show my face," he said, casually tossing the ring back into its box. "You!"

Aaron's face flushed crimson, his eyes blazing with rage.

"How dare you call this ring trash? You're blind!" he barked. "If this is trash, show me something better! Prove you're not all talk, or stop embarrassing yourself!" Aaron didn't believe Dustin could produce anything valuable. His plain attire suggested he couldn't afford a few thousand dollars.

"You're calling a thirty-million-dollar Verdigris Emerald ring trash? Let's see you back that up!" someone in the crowd mocked.

"I can't stand loudmouths! If he doesn't have anything better, he's just embarrassing himself," another voice chimed in, prompting laughter from the crowd.