Chapter 335
Chapter 335 She’s My Future Wife
The four girls’ eyes carried a trace of disdain. Leander noticed, of course, but he paid it no mind, pouring himself a drink without a word.
“Come on, let me do the introductions!” Nathan stood up eagerly. “This is Leander Ashcroft, the one we look to in our dorm p>
After that, he went down the line and introduced the girls. The one on the far right in a plaid shirt was Yulia Flavin. Next to her, wearing glasses and looking like a model student, was Raina Hawthorne. Then came the long-haired, red-lipped girl, Livia Westbrook. From Nathan’s expression, Leander could tell Livia was likely his target for the night.
Finally, Nathan’s face grew more serious as he smiled broadly at the last girl-the one in the leather jacket.
“Boss, this is the famous campus beauty of Highcliffe University, finance major and top student, Aurora Lysanne p>
Leander gave a slight nod of recognition. It was no wonder she had looked familiar to him. She was the fourth-ranked campus beauty at Highcliffe University, and he had seen her photo once on the forum that Nathan had shown him.
Leander smiled politely at the four girls, a nod that served as his greeting. Even when facing Aurora, the so-called fourth campus beauty, he treated her no differently.
The four girls frowned instantly. They had arrived earlier, and Leander, as the last to show up— and a man at that—should have made more of an effort. But he had barely reacted, showing no interest at all, as if none of them were worth his time. The casual attitude left them displeased.
Aurora in particular bristled. She prided herself on her beauty, and now that she was getting involved with the Wave Alliance, preparing to serve as one of their financial consultants, her self-regard was higher than ever.
Men usually fawned over her the moment they saw her. Yet here was Leander, not even bothering to spare her a second glance. The indifference stoked a spark of anger in her chest.
“Well, well, this guy’s got personality.” Livia’s sultry eyes slid over to him, her tone edged with mockery. “Nathan said the guy Daphne Florian threw herself at today was you, but honestly, I don’t see it p>
Her words, though veiled, carried a sharp edge: how could a girl like Daphne possibly fall for someone like him?
Nathan and the others shifted uncomfortably, their expressions stiff, but with the girls opposite them, they didn’t dare retort. All eyes turned to Leander.
Whether I look the part or not, it was me,” Leander said calmly, his tone unbothered.
“Really?” Livia narrowed her eyes with a smirk. “I thought Nathan was pulling our leg.
She lifted her glass toward him. “Since you’re late, you owe us three shots p>
Raina and Yulia exchanged sneering glances, while Aurora looked on with cold detachment.
Leander had no desire to bicker with them, but a glance at Nathan told him everything- Nathan clearly had his eye on Livia. So, Leander inclined his head. “Fine. I came late. Three shots it is p>
He was the Iron Sovereign, chairman of Jeff Enterprises. Who in the world dared demand he drink as punishment for being late? But since it was Nathan’s gathering, and Nathan’s interest in Livia was obvious, he let it slide. Without fuss, he downed three glasses in a row.
The girls’ expressions softened noticeably. Seeing that his face hadn’t changed a bit, calm as water, Livia clapped her hands first. “Not bad. You can really hold your liquor p>
Her fox-like eyes gleamed as she leaned forward with curiosity. “So, tell us, what’s your relationship with Daphne Florian? Why would she throw herself at you?
“You know she’s the number one campus beauty at Highcliffe University. Even we envy her. For her to be so close with you, we really have to ask-are you some long- lost relative of hers p>
The other girls, Aurora included, turned toward him with curious eyes.
Aurora, being one of Highcliffe University’s campus beauties like Daphne, naturally knew the weight Daphne carried. For her to throw herself at a guy in plain casual clothes suggested a relationship far from ordinary.
Aurora wondered if Leander might actually be related to her. If that were true, she would immediately change her attitude-because the Florian family was one of
ét
Highcliffe’s top houses, second only to the Ashcrofts. If Leander truly had ties to them, befriending him could help secure her own future in the city.
But to Livia’s probing question, Leander answered calmly. “She is my future wife p>
The table froze. Aurora and the others snapped their heads toward him, their faces shifting in shock before twisting into open disdain. They looked at him as if he were a fool, their contempt thinly veiled.
Everyone knew Daphne’s name at Highcliffe University. Her status, her background-every detail about her was a matter of gossip. The girls, being women themselves, were especially familiar with her situation.
It was common knowledge that Daphne had long been engaged. Her fiance was none other than Ethan Ashcroft, the acknowledged number one heir of Highcliffe.
In their eyes, if Leander was close to her, it could only be as a distant cousin or some kind of family tie. But to claim she was his fiancee-this was beyond arrogance. It was sheer madness.
Even Nathan and the others froze, unable to believe their cars.
Aurora sneered, shaking her head. “I have to admire your nerve. From what I know, Ethan Ashcroft is
Daphne Florian’s fiance. And younet
dare say she’s your future wife Do you even realize what those words could cost you? If Ethan hears them-if the Florians and Ashcrofts hear them-do you know what kind of fate awaits you p>
Her words made Nathan and his friends fall silent with dread.
It was true. Everyone in Highcliffe knew Daphne and Ethan were engaged. For Leander to declare otherwise wasn’t just bold-it was a direct challenge, as if Ethan, the Ashcrofts, and the Florians meant nothing.
The three friends darted frantic looks at Leander, signaling him to stop before he got himself into serious trouble. But Leander only gave a faint smile.
“The Florian family?
The Ashcrofts?
Even if one of them were sitting right
in front of me, I’d say the same thing.” Raising his glass, he drained it in one smooth motion. His tone carried nothing but scorn if you happen to know anyone from the Florians or the Ashcrofts, you can tell them these words came from me-Leander Ashcroft. I’d like to see what they can actually do about it p>