?Chapter 1460:


    Brenna intended to observe a moment longer, her gaze fixed on Sandra. She believed that Sandra, sharp as she was, would not fail to see the true nature of Andres’ character. Surely, Sandra wasn’t so easily dazzled by a fleeting charm, even if she hadn’t yet seen through Andres’ facade.


    She harbored doubts about Andres’ intentions, sensing a hidden agenda beneath his polished demeanor. Yet, she hesitated to intervene so soon. After all, he had just started to talk to Sandra.


    Nearby, Lilith shared Brenna’s thoughts. Amid the bustling crowd, she couldn’t voice her concerns to Brenna. So, she just watched Sandra, thinking about when she had first met Ernst.


    Unlike Andres, Ernst had been forthright, his words unadorned by ttery. Their union, orchestrated by their families with marriage in mind, stood in stark contrast to Andres’ reputation for fleeting dalliances, devoid of any promise ofmitment.


    Andres’ reputation as a yboy was no secret. His interest in Sandra, if genuine, carried the risk of leaving her heart broken.


    Even the Harpers, despite their dislike for Sandra, would not stand for that.


    “Why don’t you call Sandra over?” Lilith said to Brenna, her voice tinged with concern.


    Brenna swiftly sent Sandra a message, gently urging her to join them.


    Sandra felt her phone hum, nced at the screen, and caught Brenna’s expectant look. Yet, she had no inclination toply.


    Brenna’s earlier summons had already pulled her away from Tina, sparking irritation and harsh words about her. She didn’t want to offend someone who extended a gesture of warmth toward her again.


    So, she continued her exchange with Andres, a man well-versed in the art of enchantment. Knowing Sandra’s humble origins, he believed she was naive and easy to fool.


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    “There’s a delightful spread of desserts over there,” Andres said smoothly. “Let me take you to try some.”


    Sandra’s eyes had already lingered on thevish dessert table, her curiosity piqued. The desserts were prepared by Conroy, each piece a rare delicacy worth a small fortune elsewhere.


    She had never tasted such luxuries and felt a quiet thrill at the prospect.


    “I would love to,” she replied eagerly.


    As they moved, Andres deliberately grazed Sandra’s hand, testing her reaction. Sandra returned a warm smile, interpreting the touch as an innocent gesture of fondness, one that secretly delighted her.


    Brenna watched, her frustration mounting. How could Sandra, a member of the Harper family, which was among Shirie’s most eminent families, be so easily charmed by a man so far beneath her? The Stewarts, after all, held no candle to the Harpers’ prestige.


    Lilith, too, felt a pang of concern for Sandra.


    At the dessert table, Andres selected a decadent chocte mousse cake and presented it to Sandra, offering her a fork with practiced grace.


    “You must try this,” he said warmly. “It’s baked with the finest Valport ingredients by a master chef. Even the most exclusive patisseries rarely create something this exquisite.”


    Sandra felt cheerful, familiar with the cakes’ appearance yet never having sampled them before.


    Her ie could have afforded such treats before, but Keira’s greed had stripped her finances bare, leaving her with only the most modest meals and threadbare garments worn for years.


    Now, standing beside a dashing gentleman offering her such exquisite fare, Sandra felt her spirits soar like a bird set free.


    Andres delicately lifted a piece of cake with his fork and offered it to Sandra, a gesture brimming with closeness.


    Sandra basked in the warmth of such a gesture, a soft flush coloring her cheeks.


    She parted her lips to savor the cake, her voice alight with wonder. “This is so delicious.”


    Andres’ smile widened, his charm effortless. “If it brings you such joy, I’ll see to it you enjoy one every day.”


    He selected another cake, presenting it to her. “Try this one. It’s less sweet, but the cream is unparalleled, crafted with the finest care.”


    Without hesitation, he took the partially eaten cake from Sandra’s hand and passed it to a nearby server to discard it.


    Sandra’s brow furrowed slightly, a flicker of unease crossing her face. “Isn’t it a bit extravagant to discard it after just a few bites?”


    Andres waved off her concern with an easy grin. “Not at all. This is a charity g, and I’ve made my donation tonight. Mr. Barker won’t mind this.”


    The long dining table overflowed with a spread of desserts. Andres encouraged Sandra to sample them all, nudging her to take just a bite or two from each before moving to the next. It felt indulgent, almost wasteful.


    Sandra’s cheeks warmed with unease. “Isn’t this excessive? We’re letting so much go to waste.”


    Andres shed a smile. “Don’t worry about it. Everyone here is swimming in money. No one bats an eye at a few uneaten desserts. Just enjoy yourself. No one’s going to say anything.”


    Sandra nced around the room. Seeing no one paying them any mind, she felt her tension ease.


    She rxed into Andres’ generosity, savoring each bite. Andres was attentive, almost too much so, bypassing the usual handoff to feed her directly with a fork. Their easy conversation and sharedughter gave them the air of a couple. Lilith couldn’t watch it any longer. “Sandra is embarrassing the Harper family.”


    Brenna nodded. “Yeah. Let’s go over there.”


    Jordy, catching the scene, smirked. “Andres has probably slept with a hundred women by now. And he’s after Sandra.”


    Ernst, who’d been deep in conversation with nearby executives, could also no longer ignore the matter.


    Before Brenna and Lilith could approach Sandra and Andres, he reached them. With a rough shove, he pushed Andres away from Sandra, his voice icy. “My sister’s far too good for a shameless yer like you. Keep your distance from her.”


    The cake on Andres’ fork hit the floor, along with the te he’d been holding. Irritated, Andres shot back, “Mr. Harper, what’s this supposed to mean?”


    Sandra, seeing Ernst’s furious expression, realized she’d overstepped by letting Andres get so close to her.


    She’d enjoyed the attention Andres had given her, but Ernst’s intervention left her mortified.


    “Ernst…” Her voice wavered in fear. He was rarely around, always stern, barely acknowledging her presence.


    “What were you thinking?” Ernst’s frown deepened as he turned to her. “Do you even know who this guy is? He’s Shirie’s most notorious yboy, a serial heartbreaker.”


    Sandra’s face flushed crimson. She hadn’t known that. She’d taken Andres for a decent businessman, someone genuinely interested in her.


    “I—I didn’t know,” she stammered, anger and humiliation swirling within her. Since he knew Andres’ reputation, why hadn’t he warned her sooner? Andres had been feeding her for ages before he stepped in.


    Andres, unfazed, said with calm precision, “Mr. Harper, I genuinely like Sandra. She’s kind, intelligent, and beautiful. What’s wrong with me pursuing her?”


    Ernst seized Andres by the cor, his voice low and menacing. “A yboy like you dares to chase my sister? I’m warning you—stay away from her!”


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