?Chapter 379:


    Jarrod, still in shock, stumbled backward as the guards closed in. Panic wed at him.


    The guards did not bother with exnations. They grabbed him roughly by the arms.


    “Ouch… it hurts!” Jarrod yelped, thrashing helplessly. His eyes darted around wildly until theynded on Rosanna. “Rosanna! Help me! Say something!”


    Hurst shot a nce at Rosanna, who stood nervously nearby, before fixing his sharp gaze on Jarrod. “Do you know this youngdy?” he asked, his tone cool and clipped.


    Jarrod’s bloodshot eyes red with indignation. He squared his shoulders, his voice rising with barely checked fury. “Yes, I came here with her. We have an invitation!” he snapped. “Is this how the Cooper Group wees its guests — by throwing them out?”


    A slow, mocking smile curled at Hurst’s lips. His next words sliced through the air like a whip. “Very well,” he said coldly. “Both of you, get out.”


    Rosanna nched. Her hands, trembling at her sides, curled into tight fists. A storm of emotions churned within her — humiliation, anger, and a bitter stab of regret.


    “How could Jarrod be so reckless?” she grumbled inwardly. Had he lost all sense of propriety? Now he had not only disgraced himself but dragged her down with him.


    Biting back her rising panic, Rosanna threw a desperate nce toward Mariana. Her voice came out in a strained whisper, thick with pleading. “Mariana, I did not expect this… My brother just spoke impulsively. He did not mean any harm. Please, could you not kick us out? I promise you, on his behalf, that it will not happen again.”


    Mariana’s eyes narrowed slightly, her patience wearing thinner by the second.


    What kind of fool did Rosanna bring along? Mariana was furious, trying hard to bite back the urge tosh out.


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    Yet, as much as Mariana wanted to rid herself of this headache, she knew that having Rosanna publicly humiliated would reflect poorly on herself.


    Letting out a reluctant sigh, she glided toward Hurst with practiced grace. “Hurst,” she said smoothly, “Miss Morgan is my friend. Would you please, for my sake, give them another chance?”


    The chill in Hurst’s face thawed a fraction. He regarded Mariana for a moment before offering a faint, measured smile. “Since she is your guest, I will let it go this time,” he said. But then his tone darkened. “If it happens again, there will be no second chances.”


    “I understand,” Mariana replied quickly, her head nodding in agreement. “If anything else happens, I will personally see them out.”


    Satisfied, Hurst lifted his…


    Hurst lifted his hand with a subtle wave. The nearby security guards immediately released their grip.


    Jarrod stumbled back, rubbing his aching arms, his face burning with humiliation. Lowering his gaze, he slipped behind Rosanna like a scolded child, unwilling to utter another word.


    Meanwhile, Hurst turned toward Maia, the icy edge of his demeanor softening into something far more weing. “Ms. Watson,” he said with a polite nod, “please,e with me.”


    The crowd parted like a sea before them, a silent wave of deference. Maia’s gaze flickered briefly to Chris, who merely gave a casual shrug, stepping aside with a knowing smile tugging at his lips.


    Their eyes locked for a fleeting second — a silent exchange — before Maia turned away without a word and followed Hurst deeper into the grand hall.


    As they walked side by side, Hurst gestured with subtle elegance, pointing out the hall’syout and naming the distinguished guests in murmured tones.


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