?Chapter 809:


    Just then, a familiar voice rang out behind her,ced with mock surprise and casual arrogance. “What a coincidence! Isn’t this the lovely Ms. Russell? Ah, no—I should call you Ms. Carter now.”


    Ste froze, her grip on the ss tightening. Slowly, she turned. Amon.


    As frivolous and mboyant as ever, he strolled toward her in a striking dark green suit. A ckce shirty beneath, its cor carelessly undone, a diamond ne glittering at his throat under the chandelier’s glow. A yful smile tugged at his lips as he raised his ss of red wine, each step deliberate, as if he had all the time in the world.


    A group of equally shy friends trailed behind him,ughing and chatting without a care.<fn302c> Updates are released by FιndNovel</fn302c>


    Ste blinked in surprise. Amon here?


    Was William here, too?


    Her heart tightened. She instinctively scanned the room, searching for his familiar figure.


    Noticing, Amon chuckled softly. He leaned closer, his breath brushing against her ear. “Looking for William?” His tone was teasing, deliberate. “Save yourself the trouble—he’s noting tonight.”


    His eyes never left her face, studying every flicker of emotion as though she were a rare, fascinating painting—one he couldn’t look away from.


    Amon caught the flicker of disappointment in Ste’s eyes. His lips curved faintly as he reached out, resting a hand on her shoulder. “Ms. Russell, are you really that let down? Am I so unworthypared to William?”


    Ste brushed his hand away, her gaze sharp and cold. “Mr. Briggs, get a grip on yourself. Show some respect.”


    Amon chuckled, tilting his head, his voice loud enough for people nearby to hear. “Respect? I only wanted a few words with you. How is that disrespectful? On the contrary, you’re the one snubbing your guests. Isn’t that poor manners?”


    The friends lingering behind him all turned to re at Ste, their eyes shing with scorn.


    At the head table, Karson paused mid-conversation. His brow creased slightly when he saw Ste cornered by Amon, but he didn’t step in right away.


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    Ste’s chest tightened. She knew exactly what Amon was doing—flexing his Briggs family name on Carter ground, dragging her down in the process.


    “Isn’t it a bit lonely, drinking all by yourself at a party, Ms. Russell?” Amon ignored her frosty stare, deliberately raising his voice. “Come, let me introduce you to some friends. They’re all big names in Choria, from powerful families. Making connections could really help with your little science projects.”


    His tone was suggestive, drawingughter from his group. To them, her research was nothing more than a joke.


    Ste’s grip on her champagne ss tightened until her knuckles nched. She fought the urge to fling the drink in his face. When she spoke, her voice was ice cold. “Save your breath. We’re strangers, and your entourage is none of my concern. Goodbye.”


    She turned to leave, but Amon stepped smoothly into her path, blocking her again.


    The smile stayed on his lips, but his eyes glinted with malice. “So ungracious. Or is it that you only know how to show respect to William?”


    His gaze swept across the room with an amused look. “Perhaps some of you don’t know yet, but Ms. Russell and my cousin William have quite the… extraordinary rtionship. For her, hepletely disregards his own family.”


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