Chapter 353
Chapter 353:
Yelena froze mid-bite, her mood souring instantly. She glanced up, her frown deepening when she recognized the speaker. It was Reuben again—charming to some, insufferable to her.
Suppressing a groan, she turned back to her cake, determined to ignore him.
Yelena assumed that ignoring him would be enough to make him leave. But Reuben wasn’t the type to take a hint. With an easy smile, he leaned in closer.
“Forgive me, I didn’t catch your name earlier. But after that unforgettable dance with my cousin, everyone seems to be talking about you now p>
Yelena shot Reuben a quick, icy glance, finding his smug demeanor as unpleasant as ever. Finally, she said, “Excuse me, sir. We don’t know each other, so please stop trying to strike up a conversation p>
Reuben chuckled, completely unfazed. “Come now, Miss Roberts, that’s no way to treat an acquaintance. They say strangers are just friends waiting to happen. And the more we cross paths, the better we’ll get along p>
Yelena could hardly believe his audacity. Was this man truly Austin’s cousin? The contrast between their personalities couldn’t have been starker.
Fixing him with a pointed look, Yelena replied sharply, “Sorry, but I don’t make friends with just anyone. Mr. Barton, stop wasting your breath. I find it extremely irritating when people won’t take hints.” Her words were as blunt as they were final.
Reuben had a knack for being thoroughly annoying. Without giving him a chance to respond, Yelena turned on her heel, her plate in hand, and walked away.
Reuben, however, showed no sign of anger. Instead, a sly smile tugged at his lips as he watched Yelena walk away, her defiance only fueling his interest. He loved a challenge—thrived on it, even. The harder something was to obtain, the more determined he became to make it his.
And this wasn’t just about Yelena; there was a bonus in play. If he could win over the woman who seemed to have caught Austin’s attention, the look on his cousin’s face would be priceless.
gⲁ𝗅𝓝𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝘀.𝗰0𝗺´ 𝘾𝒽𝓮𝒸𝓀 𝒶𝓾𝓉𝒽 𝓬𝓸𝓹𝓎
Sure, Reuben didn’t have Austin’s sharp mind for business, but when it came to women, he considered himself leagues ahead. His track record spoke for itself—he had dated plenty, and most fell for his effortless charm without much effort.
Yelena would be no different. At least, that was what Reuben told himself. Her cool demeanor, her dismissive words—he chalked it all up to playing hard to get. Beneath that icy facade, he was convinced, was a fiery spirit waiting to be unleashed. And he, of course, would be the one to do it.
His confidence bordered on arrogance. The thought of stealing Yelena out from under Austin’s nose sent a thrill through him.
The more Reuben thought about it, the more pleased he became. Winning Yelena over wasn’t just a goal; it was a game, and one he was certain he’d win.
In his mind, Yelena was no different from the other women he’d dated—vain, predictable, and easily swayed by luxury. A few expensive gifts, a dash of charm, and she’d be his in no time.
Lost in his own delusions, Reuben began to daydream, his grin widening as he pictured his inevitable triumph.
Refreshed after a quick bite, Yelena shook off the remnants of her earlier irritation. Reuben’s attempt to sour her mood had barely made a dent, and she dismissed it as easily as a stray thought. The gala was winding down, its once-bustling energy now softer, tinged with the warmth of shared laughter and conversation.
Yelena set out to find Donna, weaving through clusters of guests still animated in their chatter. From across the room, she noticed Austin fully engaged in entertaining the crowd. When he attempted to make his way toward her, she discreetly waved him off with a reassuring smile. Tonight, his role as host took precedence, and she understood that all too well.
Leonel, however, lingered on the edges of the evening like an ill-fitted shadow. His latest failure to secure the CEO position had diminished his usual bravado, leaving him conspicuously subdued. Yelena felt no concern. Leonel’s cunning had never been a match for Austin’s sharp wit and calculated poise. Time and again, Austin had proven himself to be not only a step ahead but miles beyond his rival’s reach. As the hours stretched on, the gala maintained its vibrant hum, carrying on late into the night.