"Going out again? Honestly, you seem to have plenty of free time. Since that''s the case, why don''t you actually meet some of the lovely girls I''ve arranged for you? Cassius, listen to your mother-"


    Mrs. Darlene grabbed a thick stack of photos, snagging his arm as if she could set him up on a date every single day.


    Cassius''s brow furrowed in frustration. He cut her off. “Mom, please, you really have to stop. Your taste in people is honestly questionable. Take Margaret, for example. You said she was refined and considerate. Well, guess what? She turned out to be reckless enough to spread gossip about Remi, and now he''s furious with me. He''s already gone to the Miller family''s estate. That''s exactly why I''m heading out now- thanks to Margaret, my friendship with Remi might very well end today."


    Cassius deliberately made the situation sound as grave as possible.


    Mrs. Darlene''s anxiety spiked. Remington was exceptionally influential, and Cassius''s close friendship with him was one of the few reasons Mr. Sterling had started looking at his younger son with new respect. She was counting on Remington''s support to help Cassius in the family inheritance struggle. With Remington on his side, everything would be so much easier.


    "My dear, how could it be so serious? I never imagined Margaret would be two- faced—she''s a real performer in front of the elders, isn''t she?"


    Cassius''s frown deepened. "People like Margaret, who think they''re clever, are far more dangerous than outright fools. If we''re not careful, she could drag the Sterling family into a mess."


    “That won''t do,” Mrs. Darlene said quickly. “Don''t worry, darling, I''ve already politely turned down Mrs. Miller''s idea of continuing the alliance. I''ll call her myself in a bit and give her a firm answer."


    Cassius finally allowed himself a small sigh of relief. "Good, Mom. As long as you understand. I''m heading out."


    He started for the door, but Mrs. Darlene caught his arm again. "Forget Margaret, but at least look at these new girls I picked out for you. This time, I did a full background check. They''re all wonderful youngdies and beautiful too—right up your alley. Just take a look, will you?"


    Cassius tried to brush her off, but Mrs. Darlene pushed the photos right up to his face.


    He gave them a cursory nce, his frown only deepening until it left a crease between his brows.


    Why did all these women look... odd to him?


    It took a moment, but then he realized: every single one of these socialites resembled Ynda, at least a little.


    Apparently, his mother had gotten it into her head that, since he''d been entangled with Ynda, that type was his ideal.


    But these days, just thinking of Ynda made Cassius feel irritated; seeing all those photos only made his head pound.


    "Give it a rest, Mom. I''m over that type," he said, gently pushing her hand aside before striding quickly from the vi.


    Mrs. Darlene stared at the photos scattered across the floor, puzzled.


    Not his type anymore?


    So he must have fallen out with that little starlet. Turns out that Ynda girl knows when to back off.


    The Miller Estate.


    Remington''s car pulled into the drive, just as another vehicle stopped ahead of him.


    From the front car, Ste stepped


    out, holding a gift bag. As she adjusted to standing upright, ske caught sight of Remington climbing out of the backseat of his own car


    He was dressed in a charcoal peakpel suit, exuding a quiet


    confidence and s


    the


    kind of man who never failed to take her breath away


    Ste realized it had been ages since she''dst seen him, and her


    fluttered uneasily Eyes bright, she''s stepped forward with a smile.


    "Remington. What a coincidence."