?Chapter 397:


    Xander’s voice reached the room before he did.


    Both Bu and rissa tensed up, their faces betraying their emotions.


    Bu looked as though frost had settled over his features as he swiftly turned his head, sending a piercing nce toward the door.


    rissa, by contrast, quickly smoothed her expression into a gentle smile. “Bu, you know Xander. He’s naturally yful. Don’t hold it against him. If he’s bringing his girlfriend to meet you, he must be serious about her.”


    rissa always portrayed herself as refined and graceful to please Bu. Despite often being irritated by Xander, she maintained herposure with admirable patience.


    Hardly had she finished speaking when Xander entered with Marissa.


    Upon entering, Xander dered with gusto, “Bu, I’ve brought my girlfriend to meet you.”


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    Catching sight of rissa, he feigned astonishment. “rissa, you’re here too? I thought you were abroad. When did you get back?”


    rissa responded with a smile, “I returned just this morning.”


    Xander arched an eyebrow teasingly, “Already having lunch with Bu? You must have really missed him!”


    A touch of red colored rissa’s cheeks, “Oh, Xander, stop teasing me!”


    Despite noticing Bu’s darkening scowl, Xander pretended ignorance and continued to chuckle.


    “Bu, rissa, let me formally introduce someone important.”


    With that, he drew Marissa closer and announced loudly, “This is Tiffany, from the esteemed Nash family of Blebert, well-known in the medicalmunity. She’s also the artist known as Only, who made waves in Blebert’s art scene just yesterday!”


    Heughed. “And now, she’s my girlfriend.”


    “Ridiculous!” Bu shot back sharply.


    Before he could say more, Xander cut in, “Bu, I’m not joking. I’m truly in love. I n to marry Tiffany in the future!”


    With a loud m, Bu hit the table, his anger barely contained.


    Undeterred, Xander spoke up once more. “Bu, I brought Tiffany here to meet the head of the Hoffman family properly. Please, don’t intimidate her with that icy expression of yours.”


    “Xander Hoffman!” Bu growled, his voice tight with frustration, eager to silence Xander.


    Yet, despite Bu’s menacing tone, Xander’s unusual defiance puzzled him. Normally, Xander was meek in his presence, rarely daring to speak. What had changed today?


    Before he could make sense of it, Xander spoke again, undeterred.


    This time, he turned to Marissa, feigning innocence. “Tiffany babe, allow me to properly introduce my older brother, Bu, the current head of the Hoffman family.”


    Marissa had never met Bu before. It was her first encounter with him. As the brothers talked, she had been quietly observing Bu.


    When Xander spoke her name, she offered a sweet smile. “Hello, Bu.”


    Bu’s brow furrowed as if he had just bitten into a sour lemon.


    He had a sudden urge to throttle Xander, but with rissa and Marissa present, he restrained himself.


    He shot Xander a warning re, signaling him to take Marissa away and not to disturb rissa, whose identity needed to remain a secret.


    However, Xander seemed oblivious to his brother’s stern look.


    After introducing Bu, Xander turned his attention to rissa. “Tiffany, now let me introduce this elegantdy. Pay close attention!”


    “Okay!” Marissa responded, turning her attention to rissa.


    With a flourish of pride, Xander proimed, “Tiffany, this distinguished woman is my boss, the illustrious president of the Peridot Consortium, Miss rissa Byrd!”


    As he finished, the air in the room turned icy


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