?<strong>Chapter 480:</strong>


    But this was different—because it was Daxton.


    His sincerity made her defenses falter.


    Ailyn’s jaw dropped, her eyes widening in disbelief.


    What? Did he truly mean that if Carrie wanted it, he would willingly be her cicisbeo?


    The dignified, noble gentleman Ailyn had admired had just uttered something so… humble, almost self-deprecating.


    Carrie’sposure returned as she addressed Ailyn. “By family hierarchy, Daxton should probably refer to your boyfriend as a senior rtive.”


    Ailyn stiffened. “What nonsense are you talking about?”


    Daxton turned his gaze to Carrie, puzzled.


    Carrie’s smile deepened. “Her boyfriend is Kristopher’s uncle.”


    Daxton’s expression immediately darkened, his polite demeanor shifting into one of visible disgust.


    Without a word, he instinctively took a step back, as though recoiling from something unpleasant.


    “I…” Ailyn stammered, her face turning red as she struggled to exin.


    But Daxton didn’t wait for an exnation.


    He walked past her, his steps firm, and left without looking back.


    Ailyn stood frozen in ce, her phone still raised in mid-air.


    Around her, the ssmates who had witnessed the exchange began whispering among themselves.


    What was meant to embarrass Carrie had turned into Ailyn’s own humiliation.


    Just then, the elevator doors slid open once more, and Camille walked out, gently tugging Albin along beside her.


    Camille’s hair was styled in soft, bouncy curls, and her halter-neck red dress highlighted the elegance of her smooth, captivating back.


    Albin was dressed sharply in a ck suit ented with deep red tones, a rose pinned to hispel thatplemented Camille’s attire perfectly.


    When Camille stepped forward, her gaze immediatelynded on Carrie and Ailyn waiting at the elevator doors.


    Arching her eyebrows faintly, she slipped her arm free from Albin’s and strolled over to hook her arm through Carrie’s. “Sweetheart, why are you lingering here instead of heading in?”


    Albin nced at his now-empty arm, hesitated for a moment, and then broke into a mischievous smirk.


    Sliding his hand into his pocket, he casually made his way over. “Carrie.”


    Carrie responded with a slight nod, her greeting understated and calm.


    Without so much as a nce at Ailyn, the trio turned and headed for the private room, leaving her awkwardly standing in ce.


    The group of ssmates loitering near the door shuffled clumsily out of the way to let them pass.


    One of the ssmates at the front, a little on the heavier side, forced a wide, ingratiating smile and stepped up to Albin with both hands extended. “Ah, Mr. Murray! What an honor to finally meet you. Mypany is hoping to work with the Murray Group on an uing project. If you could mention us, it would mean a lot. Back in the day, we yed volleyball with Camille and always made sure she won.”


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