Chapter 222

Cynthia paused at the door. Just as she was about to enter, a waiter approached, pushing a cart laden with fruit platters. Noticing a pen and paper on the cart, she quickly tore off a sheet to write a note. The waiter looked confused but assumed she was the guest in Suite 8.

“Miss, are you the guest in there?” he asked. Cynthia, seeking an entry point, quickly nodded. “Yes, I am. Could you give me this fruit cart? I’ll take it inside.”

The waiter was slightly suspicious but didn't dwell on it. After watching Cynthia push the cart inside, he turned and left.

The suite was bustling with activity. It was spacious and filled with people; every entertainment area was occupied. Some played poker, others sang, and some played cards and rolled dice on the sofa.

Cynthia surveyed the room. Several wealthy young people from Betrico were present. She even spotted a familiar face—Tommy, one of Jonathan's childhood friends. As she maneuvered the cart, she scanned the room but couldn't find Jonathan. Her eyes continued their search.

Her gaze settled on the lounge area near the sofa. Several young, wealthy men sat there, each with a woman. Except for one. He sat in the center of a large sofa, exuding an aura of quiet authority. He sat erect, his eyebrows slightly furrowed in what seemed like displeasure. Most striking was a noticeable scar on his forehead.

It's him! she thought. The very person those two in the hallway were plotting against. For some unknown reason, seeing his face made her heart skip a beat. A strange sense of familiarity washed over her. It was their first meeting, yet it felt as if they'd encountered each other before. Perhaps it was his cold, unapproachable demeanor; everyone kept their distance.

A girl leaned into Tommy's arms, pouting playfully. “Tommy, why doesn’t he smile?”

Tommy chuckled, grinning. “Mr. Xenos isn’t like us. Why don’t you try making him laugh? If you can get him to smile today, I’ll give you my Palladin watch.”

The woman’s eyes widened at the million-dollar watch on Tommy’s wrist. She quickly stood, her legs carrying her effortlessly through the crowd toward the aloof Mr. Xenos. Before she could sit, however, Mr. Xenos, who had been looking at his phone, looked up. His cold eyes swept over her. “Scram,” he said.

His voice was quiet, devoid of noticeable emotion, yet his oppressive aura was almost suffocating. The woman, startled, retreated to Tommy, pouting. “He’s…”

Tommy pinched her chin playfully. “You’ve got guts. You really dared to go over there. The eldest son of the Xenos family isn’t like the second one. How could someone like you ever catch his attention?”

Nearby, a sharply dressed man raised his glass. “Mr. Xenos, you’ve served our country in the military for so many years, and we truly admire you. We grew up close friends with Keith, so you’re like a big brother to us. We’ve put together this welcome party especially for you, so please do us the honor of having a drink.”

The stern-faced man asked, “Where’s Keith?”

“Keith just landed. He asked us to take care of you first. He’ll be here soon,” the man replied.

The man's impatience was evident. Just as he was about to leave, Tommy noticed Cynthia. “Ms. Jones, what brings you here?”

Cynthia was startled. For a moment, everyone on the couch looked at her.

“Who is she?” The woman in Tommy’s arms scrutinized Cynthia, finally focusing on her fresh, striking face.

Tommy knew everything about recent events: Jonathan, the well-known Betrico figurehead, had changed his mind, joined a reality show, and proposed publicly to Cynthia. Seeing the proposal, Tommy was speechless. He doubted if the man he saw was the real Jonathan. Everyone had assumed Jonathan would marry into the Sullivan family. Instead, there was Ms. Jones, a seemingly unknown heiress from a small town.

Their group of childhood friends didn't approve. In high society, marriages were rarely based on personal choice, but rather on connections between powerful families.

Before Tommy could speak, the man in the suit stood. “I brought her here to cheer up Mr. Xenos.” He gestured to Cynthia. “Aren’t you going to pour Mr. Xenos a drink?”

Tommy looked confused. “Edward, do you really not know who she is?” Letting Mr. Bennett’s fiancée pour drinks? Edward must have a death wish, he thought.

Edward had heard from Keith that his eldest brother had avoided women for thirty years. Today’s gathering was a bet to see whose woman could win his heart. Edward's chosen woman was stuck in traffic. This woman, he realized, must be the replacement. To handle serious types, you need someone innocent-looking. Look at her, even without makeup, her eyes shine. She seems pure and innocent, yet alluring, like a fairy. Even he felt his heart flutter.

Cynthia, worried about getting close to Mr. Xenos, knew she shouldn't be involved, but she'd seen the damage caused by drugging and wanted to protect someone she believed to be a man of integrity.

Cynthia sat beside Mr. Xenos and poured him a drink. Surprisingly, he didn't dismiss her. He merely furrowed his brow, observing her. Tommy, always enjoying drama, watched, unsure what was happening.

Today, he was also part of the bet, but his chosen woman hadn’t impressed Mr. Xenos. Could it be that Ms. Jones was really Edward’s plan? This was getting interesting. Instead of wine, Cynthia brewed a cup of tea and offered it to Mr. Xenos. “Mr. Xenos, please have some tea.”