Chapter 18
Chapter 18.
That night, Marcus returned home and started dressing up. Tonight was the Langstone Family banquet. The one Travis had been bragging with.
He stood before the mirror in his room and adjusted the cuff of his sleeve. The suit he wore was dark and tailored so precisely it seemed molded to his body. The fabric sat perfectly on his shoulders, firm across his chest, tapering cleanly to his waist. His hair was combed back neatly, revealing the sharp lines of his face. His jaw looked firmer.
Behind him, Natalie watched quietly.
Her eyes held open admiration. She hadn’t seen Marcus look this handsome for a long time. Before his engagement to Jessica, he was so handsome back then but he became a shadow of himself. But today, it was different, he was like his old self.
“So handsome, you are making my heart beat,” she didn’t know when she let it out and bit her lips.
Marcus gave a faint smile. Tonight, he was preparing to announce his identity.
They both left together.
XXXX
The entrance of the banquet hall belonging to the Langstone family estate was nothing short of grand. A long driveway lined with golden lights led toward a wide marble staircase. Luxury cars filled the parking area, each more expensive than the last. Crystal chandeliers shone through the glass walls, casting reflections on the polished floors inside. Well-dressed guests moved in elegant clusters, laughing softly, exchanging greetings, each person carrying an air of importance.
Inside, a classical band played quietly in the background. Waiters in white gloves moved gracefully with trays of drinks. Everything about the place screamed wealth, power, and status.
Jessica and Travis arrived shortly after.
Jessica wore a long silver gown that hugged her body elegantly. The fabric shimmered as she walked, her hair falling in loose waves behind her shoulders. She looked beautiful, refined, and composed. Travis held her arm with exaggerated pride, his chin raised too high, greeting random people loudly as if he were the center of the evening.
“Good evening! Good evening!” he said to strangers who barely looked at him.
Jessica forced a smile but leaned closer and whispered, “Please… be gentle. You don’t know who these people are. Even if you have to greet, do it with respect p>
Unlike Travis, she understood very well, In a place like this, she was near the bottom. Almost everyone present was wealthier, more connected, more powerful than she was. stepping on the wrong foot can ruin life p>
But Travis remained smug, puffing his chest and nodding at people as if they were beneath him.
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“You forgot, I got the invitation card directly, and I am friends with one of the Langstone family. That alone makes me more important than anyone here p>
Jessica’s discomfort grew. She noticed several influential women nearby and wanted to connect.
“I will be back. Don’t you dare cause any trouble. Okay” she warned him.
She tried to move away from him and mingle politely when a sudden murmur rippled through the crowd
near the entrance.
“Wow… who are those two p>
“Look at that lady… she’s like a goddess p>
“They came in the new Ferrari model p>
“That man must be incredibly rich to be walking with a woman like that p>
Jessica turned instinctively.
And then she froze as she saw Marcus
Marcus had just walked in, arm in arm with a woman.
Marcus carried himself with effortless elegance. His posture straight, his expression calm, his presence commanding without trying. Beside him was Natalie, who looked breathtaking. Her gown flowed like liquid gold, her beauty radiant and dignified. The moment they stepped inside, heads turned naturally
toward them.
Jessica felt something tighten in her chest.
What is he doing here… with another woman?
And then the insecurity hit her harder.
Although Jessica was beautiful, standing beside Natalie, she suddenly felt plain. Small and Inferior. Compared to her, she was like an ugly duckling standing next to royalty. She swallowed hard.
She did not know Natalie was connected to the Langstone family. She only knew that this woman looked like she belonged here far more than she ever could.
Travis noticed too, and his face twisted with jealousy.
“That bastard again,” he muttered. “Always finding rich women to hang around. He must be running some kind of scam. I swear I’ll expose him p>
Before Jessica could stop him, Travis strode forward loudly.
He sneered at Marcus. “So you already found a new sponsor? That was fast. Which naive rich girl is getting fooled by a freeloader like you p>
Natalie frowned and said, “What! Who the hell are you p>
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Jessica hurried after him, panicked.
“Sorry ma’am,” she said quickly to Natalie. “He’s just talking nonsense, please ignore him p>
Natalie looked at her calmly and said, “You should hold his leash properly p>
That only fueled Travis more.
“Leash? Who the hell do you think you are?” he barked. “You are just pretty without sense. How can you stand beside this trash on an occasion held by the Langstone family? Do you even know who he is? He’s a parasite. A professional beggar. Living off women p>
Guests nearby began to stare.
Jessica’s heart pounded. Anyone here could be powerful, and Travis was insulting them loudly.
Marcus frowned slightly and asked in a calm voice, “Who allowed such ill-mannered people into this banquet p>
That sentence landed like a slap on Travis.
Travis scoffed, “Really? Look at you, trying to act like you are someone! I know you scam your way in, using this pretty naive lady. And I will expose you p>
Jessica pinched Travis then quickly lowered her voice. “I’m very sorry, ma’am. He doesn’t know what he’s saying. Please forgive us p>
Natalie wanted to react but Jessica was being polite so she replied coolly, “You better control your boyfriend, or he will embarrass you very badly p>
Jessica shook her head quickly. “No, he isn’t my boyfriend. He’s just like my younger brother and he is stupid p>
Then she pointed at Marcus. “He is actually my boyfriend. Him. Don’t be deceived by him. Whatever he told you is a lie. We are still engaged p>
Travis cut in again, louder. “Yes! This guy survives by seducing rich women. That’s his job. He’s done it before and he’s doing it again. Open your eyes, lady! He will drain your money and dump you like he did
her p>
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Cedella
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.