Past acquaintance
Everyone’s faces immediately turned into contempt when they heard Madison’s words.
Walking alongside Jayden, Nina’s aura wasn’t inferior to his in the slightest. Coupled with her stunning face, they assumed she was the daughter of some influential family. Turned out they had been overthinking.
Madison’s words were like poison spreading through the group, tainting everyone’s perceptions of Nina.
Of course, these people did not bother verifying the authenticity of Madison’s words. As Jayden’s niece, they believed whatever she said without question.
“Madison, won’t you introduce Jayden to us?” David, another one of Madison’s friends, took the opportunity and asked excitedly.
Although these individuals were considered elites, they were not qualified to be in the presence of Jayden. In their world, only their fathers and grandfathers had the privilege of coming into direct contact with a man of his stature.
This alone spoke volumes about the immense power and authority that Jayden Luxton held.
This time, Madison did not decline her friend’s request.
Unlike her usual circle, this bunch of people had an entirely different background. As Jayden and Stephan wanted to pave the way for their siblings, the guests invited tonight all had influential backgrounds and she could not offend anyone of them.
“Sure,” Madison replied with a hint of pride and led her friends toward Jayden. With a graceful gesture, she introduced her friends to him.
Meanwhile, she treated Nina, who stood beside Jayden, as if she were invisible. She had no intention of giving Nina even the slightest bit of acknowledgment or respect.
After a few exchanges, Jayden’s dark gaze shifted to Madison. “Madison, have you forgotten something?” he looked at her meaningfully, which sent a shiver down her spine.
Momentarily puzzled, Madison soon grasped Jayden’s hint. Her lips trembled, and she clenched her palms so tightly that her nails almost tore into her skin.
However, she knew better than to lose her temper in front of Jayden. Despite his amicable appearance, she knew that once provoked, he could be ruthless, even to his family much less his niece.
Suppressing her dissatisfaction, Madison reluctantly raised her head in embarrassment. “Aunt,” she called out in a barely audible whisper.
Sensing Jayden’s stern gaze on her, she mustered up her courage and shouted. “Aunt.”
Only then was Jayden satisfied.
Madison, however, felt humiliated having to address Nina as her aunt.
It reminded her of her position in Jayden’s life and just the thought alone was enough for her to feel suffocated.
Nina raised her eyebrows, looking at Madison with indifference.
She had no intention of getting involved in any petty squabbles with Jayden’s family. Besides, she hadn’t mentioned the encounter with Madison to Jayden, as it was unworthy of her time and energy.
David and the others couldn’t help but sympathize with Madison. From their conversation earlier, they sensed Madison’s intense dislike, or rather, hatred, for Nina.
They wanted to stand up for Madison but did not dare be arrogant in front of Jayden.
Feeling the pressure, Madison excused herself from the gathering, unless she did something outrageous in front of him.
The others followed Madison, offering gentle consolation. “Don’t be upset, Maddy. We’ll deal with her soon.”
“That’s right. Since she’s so desperate to climb the social ladder, we’ll make sure to ‘take care’ of her properly.”
“For now, let’s focus on building relations with Ms. Shahan. As the princess of two major families, hardly anyone can match her status.”
“Yes, once you befriend Ms. Shahan, Nina will realize what it’s like to be a toad coveting a swan’s meat.”
Madison’s mood improved gradually as she listened to her friends’ reassurances.
No matter how hard she tried, Nina could never match up to her in this lifetime.
—
The main characters of tonight’s banquet had finally arrived, drawing attention as they walked arm in arm.
Dressed in a short rose-tube grey cocktail dress, her alluring brown eyes and pouty lips captivated everyone around her. Her brown hair cascaded gracefully over her shoulders, covering her slender neck.
Stephan immediately pulled his younger sister, Nora, into a half hug as they walked up to them.
“Looking as beautiful as ever, sweetheart.” He complimented.
Meanwhile, Liam, Jayden’s stepbrother, was reserved, offering a nod in greeting.
Clad in a leather jacket and jeans, his stance was proud and arrogant. His dark grey eyes resembled Jayden’s, and a black rose on a skull adorned the back of his palm.
As they approached, Nora warmly greeted Jayden and Nina. Since they hadn’t had a proper introduction before, Jayden took the initiative to present them to each other.
“Nina, my wife,” he announced. Then, turning to Liam, he introduced him to Nina. “This is my step-brother, Liam.”
However, before he could introduce Nora, Nina’s clear voice interjected him, “Nora Shahan,” she stated, “I know her.”
The revelation surprised Jayden, Liam, and Stephan equally. Turning towards Nora, Stephan asked, “Really?”
Nora nodded, her eyes lighting up as she recognized Nina. “Yes, we attended the same middle school.”
Her smile widened, and she felt a rush of happiness knowing that Nina still remembered her after all these years.
“What a small world,” Stephan muttered, surprised by the unexpected connection between the two women.
—
The atmosphere in the room was filled with excitement and anticipation.
As the banquet continued, Jayden and Stephan introduced Nora and Liam to the esteemed attendees.
As the two giants in the industry, each introduction was met with intrigue and interest, as everyone was eager to get acquainted with these newcomers.
It was an evening of forging connections and strengthening ties, as the power dynamics within the top circles subtly shifted.
On the other hand, Nina was exhausted from the continuous socializing and excused herself from the lively crowd. She retreated to an inconspicuous corner, seeking a moment of respite.
However, she had certainly miscalculated.
“Hello, Nina.” A voice with a thick accent reached her ears. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”
Nina raised her head to find an unfamiliar face before her.
“I heard you cause quite a commotion at my house last time.” The person continued with a hint of sarcasm in his tone.
Nina studied the man in front of her and inquired casually. “You are?”
The man’s expression froze for a moment, caught off guard by her response. Quickly regaining his composure, he let out a laugh. “Ah, I see. I suppose my brother hasn’t talked about me yet,” he explained. “I’m Kevin Luxton, Jayden’s younger brother.”
“Oh,” Nina replied nonchalantly as if the revelation held no particular significance for her.
Kevin was taken aback by her indifference. He had expected her to react differently, to give him some acknowledgment or show respect because of their family relationship.
After all, he was the only legitimate heir of the Luxton empire and expected to be treated with reverence. This abnormal indifference unsettled him.
As Nina glanced at Kevin, a flicker of surprise danced in her eyes.
Logically speaking, Kevin was the only legitimate son of William Luxton and Lilian Luxton. Unlike Jayden and Liam, who were products of the affairs William had outside.
Despite his lineage, Kevin lacked the imposing aura and aloofness that Jayden exuded. Nor did he possess the arrogance and unwavering confidence that radiated from Liam.
Instead, he seemed to be a different sort of person altogether.
However, whether it was Kevin or Madison, she was not interested in entertaining anyone of them. Especially after the previous encounters with various members of the Luxton family. She concluded that nothing good would come out of these people and hence wanted to keep her distance from them.
“My mom has been taking calming pills because of the commotion you and Jayden caused at the dinner,” His taunting words hung heavily as he confronted Nina. “What do you have to say about it, Nina?”Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.
His words carried a hint of superiority, trying to make her feel vulnerable and dependent on his family’s support.
“She asked for it,” Nina stated matter-of-factly, not showing any remorse for the consequences of their actions.
“Without the support of my parents, it would be difficult for you to stay in the Luxton family,”
Nina’s response was swift and assertive. “You don’t have to worry about my affairs,”
Kevin’s evil laughter filled the air as if he was relishing in her discomfort. “Oh! Did I upset you?” he taunted, relishing in her discomfort. “Don’t mind me. I was just saying it casually.”
“By the way, you look gorgeous tonight. Especially in this dress.” Kevin licked his lips, his lewd gaze lingering over Nina’s body. “No wonder you’ve managed to keep him hooked. Jayden, that man, sure got lucky by clinching this deal.”
Kevin had played with countless women before but had never seen anyone as captivating as Nina before. The dress she wore, although not revealing; but the way it accentuated her curves, made his di** hard.
He desperately wanted to see the breathtaking view beneath it and get his hands on her. Just thinking about having her delicate body move under him was enough to make his blood boil in excitement.
Nina felt her skin crawl under his lecherous gaze. Her countenance immediately turned cold as she spat. “Get lost.”
Kevin, however, seemed to take pleasure in provoking her further. He chuckled; his eyes filled with lust. “Get lost? Sure, where do you want to get lost together?”
Fury flashed in Nina’s eyes, and she crossed her arms in front of her as if forming a protective shield against his advances. “Oh, so this is how Lilian has taught her son?” she sneered, not mincing her words. “Didn’t she teach you how to behave like a human and keep it in your pants, unlike animals?”
A small crowd gradually formed around them, and whispers filled the air.
Kevin’s expression changed upon hearing her words, and he laughed angrily, trying to regain his arrogance. “Ha! Why are you trying to act so innocent? Girls like you only know how to spread your legs for benefits. You’re just a gold digger after the Luxton fortune. Didn’t you also seduce Jayden like that?”
Nina’s rage intensified at his audacity, however, she was not one to back down easily. She met his gaze head-on, her eyes cold and unyielding.
“Jayden and I don’t have any improper relationship,” she asserted firmly. “Also, where do you get the audacity to compare yourself to Jayden? Have you never seen yourself in the mirror before? What a disgusting piece of sh**.”
Kevin’s face flushed with anger, unable to bear the humiliation. “Do you think you can be arrogant just because you’re Jayden’s mistress? Once he’s tired of you, see how I take care of you.”
“Who are you planning to take care of?” a deep and authoritative voice suddenly rang out.