?Chapter 239:


    “Didn’t you know? Miss Harper was found in Foiclens. Her childhood sweetheart must be from there as well. But why did he follow her all the way here?”


    “Could there be some unfinished romantic business between them? Why else would he be so determined?”


    A fleeting shadow crossed Darren’s eyes. This was precisely the reaction he was aiming for.


    The whispers grew louder, capturing the attention of the main table.


    Wesley’s gaze shifted slightly, focusing on Elena among the crowd.


    Malcolm, noticing Wesley’s attention, gestured subtly, suggesting Wesley should intervene. Would Wesley really sit back when someone harassed his woman?


    Wesley remained seated, motionless.


    Seeing this, the Harper sons moved to position themselves behind Elena.


    Jeffry scanned Elena briefly, making sure she was unharmed, then looked down and asked, “What’s going on here? Do you want me to take care of it?”


    Elena shook her head. “It’s just a minor issue.” A mere Darren wasn’t worth Jeffry stepping in to intervene.


    At Jeffry’s words, Darren quickly moved forward. “Hello, Mr. Harper. I’m Darren from the Griffiths family in Foiclens. Elena and I grew up together. Since you’re her brother, I consider you like a brother to me as well. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”


    Darren reached out his hand, hoping Jeffry would shake it.


    Jeffry kept his hands firmly in his pockets, not bothering to return the gesture.


    “The Griffiths family from Foiclens, huh?” Louis sneered. “Since when did such minor characters think they could mingle with the Harper family? How ridiculous!”


    Following the incidents where Elena’s name was ndered by the Reed family, the Harper family had thoroughly investigated her life in Foiclens.


    Louis knew all about the Griffiths family—the same family that had broken off their engagement with Elena as soon as they discovered she wasn’t actually a daughter of the Reed family. The Harper family had been lenient and had not pursued any retribution against the Griffiths family. Yet, here was Darren, unabashedly bothering Elena.


    Louis, typically agreeable, now wore a frosty expression. “Elena is not someone you can just casually approach.”


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    Darren stiffened, retracting his hand in an awkward motion. Ignoring Elena’s siblings, his eyes settled on Elena, faking affection but clearly driven by a hidden agenda. “The Harper familymands respect in the. I would never presume to im close rtions. It’s just that Elena and I go way back. Back when she struggled for a meal, I was there, bringing her food daily. Just because she’s reconnected with her affluent family doesn’t mean she should forget her old friends. Right, Elena?”


    Darren spoke loudly, ensuring the surrounding crowd could hear, attempting to paint Elena as someone who discarded her past upon gaining wealth.


    Darren’s insinuating look was designed to stir rumors. Such underhanded tactics were infuriating, angering not only the Harper siblings but also Malcolm, whose eyes grew darker by the moment.


    Malcolm looked down on Darren. Darren’s behavior had changed the moment he learned Elena hailed from the Harper family. Now, he clung to her without any shame. Truly, hecked any sense of shame. However, Darren failed to realize the extent of the consequences of his actions. If he had known that Elena had caught the eye of Wesley, he might have reconsidered his approach.


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