Diego wiped the sweat off his brow and said, "I''ll swing by to pick you up. Oh, and maybe dress up a bit, okay?"


    Nathalie teased him, "Worried I''ll make you look bad?"


    "Hehe, well, you know, a guy''s girlfriend reflects his taste," Diego replied with a chuckle.


    Nathalie quickly freshened up, adding a light touch of makeup to hide her tired look. She picked a dress from her closet, slipped it on, grabbed a purse, and headed out the door.


    She waited by the entrance for Diego to arrive.


    Meanwhile, a sleek ck SUV was zipping down the road. Inside, Diego was with two of his buddies and a female ssmate, chatting about their ns for the day.


    Diego gave his friends a heads-up, "If any of you are interested in Jules''s daughter, don''t hold back."


    One of them joked, "Come on, Diego, you''re really trying to promote her. Is there something wrong with this girl?"


    Diegoughed awkwardly, "Not exactly. It''s just... well..."


    Not knowing the full story, Diego guessed, "Maybe she had a rough breakup with


    a jerk, and now she''s dealing with some depression. Her dad thinks a new rtionship might help."


    "Why don''t you go for her yourself then?"


    "She''s divorced, and you know I''ve got a bit of a hang-up about that. But you guys don''t share my hang-ups."


    "Is she attractive?"


    "I saw her once at her ce. Honestly, she seemed a bit, um, unkempt."


    The female ssmate snapped, "She doesn''t sound all that great. Diego, you''re


    really trying to pawn her off on us? Some friend you are."


    Diego chuckled, "Isn''t that what friends are for?"


    Theirughter mingled with the wind and drifted away.


    Soon, the car pulled up to the entrance of the Stewart Estate, and everyone inside


    went quiet, awestruck by the grand, castle-like mansion.


    "So she''s loaded. I guess wealth can make up for a few quirks."


    Just then, Nathalie walked toward the car.


    She had a slender yet curvy figure, moving with a natural elegance, But the her


    lness in her eyes gaveet


    of vulnerability.


    She was stunning, like an ethereal sprite untouched by the world.


    "Wow."


    "That''s Ashley?"


    "No way, if Ashley looked like that, Diego wouldn''t be offering us the chance."


    At that moment, Diego was staring at Nathalie,pletely taken aback. He hadn''t realized Nathalie was this beautiful.


    Maybe it was just bad lighting that day?


    Still, given his family''s wealth, he was particrly picky about women. Mere


    beauty wasn''t enough to win him over.


    Nathalie reached the car and tapped on the window.


    Diego rolled down the window and smiled, "Vivian, hop in the back."


    Nathalie nced at the female


    the


    e in the passenger seat and


    in the back, her eyes


    g a hint of surprise.


    "Oh, they''re just ssmates of mine. I offered them a ride since it''s way Diego exined, a bit


    sheepishly. Content belonOvelhe


    Nathalie gracefully took a seat in the back.


    The atmosphere in the car was tense, filled with unspoken thoughts.


    The female ssmate broke the silence, "Ashley, mind if I ask where you went to college?"


    "The Mn Fashion Institute," Nathalie replied confidently.


    "Isn''t that school ranked pretty low?"


    The condescending tone made Nathalie frown, sensing the girl''s obvious hostility.