Chapter 406
Mara’s heart raced as Harvey Rivers strode in her direction. Her cheeks flushed. Pushing aside the complicated family dynamics, Harvey was an absolute prize. She chewed her bottom lip, rapidly calculating how to handle his approach. If she agreed too eagerly, she would look desperate. The classic play was the best: play hard to get.
Decision made, she slapped on a demure, innocent expression, pretending to notice him purely by accident.
But to her utter horror, Harvey walked straight past her, making a direct line for Mira Mercer.
Mara gritted her teeth, shooting a lethal glare—not at Harvey, but at Mira.
At that moment, Mira had absolutely zero interest in dancing. She was perfectly content sitting at a round table with Liora, sipping juice and chatting.
When Harvey appeared and offered a charming, theatrical bow, Mira was caught entirely off guard.
“May I have this dance, Miss Mercer p>
Mira scanned the room. Several guests were already staring. Rejecting him now would humiliate him publicly, and after all, they were friends. It was just a dance.
She stood up and allowed him to lead her toward the floor.
Neither of them realized that Mara’s humiliating miscalculation had been witnessed in its entirety by Roxanne Porter, who was currently laughing at one of Grandma Evelyn’s jokes. Always meticulous, Roxanne missed nothing.
She hadn’t expected her father’s little pawn to fall to such pathetic depths. Should she throw the girl a bone?
Meanwhile, Mara was seething, convinced Mira had deliberately stolen Harvey right out from under her.
Lacey tracked her daughter’s
venomous gaze and sighed as she watched Mira and Harvey glide across the floor. “Don’t envy them, sweetheart Mom will find you someone infinitely better.” Internally, she cursed Mira. The wretched girl had completely broken free of her control, refusing to even acknowledge her own mother in public.
On the dance floor, Harvey pulled Mira into a smooth turn. “See? Perfect harmony p>
“We’ve been classmates and friends for years. It’d be weird if we were stepping on each other’s toes,” Mira replied dryly.
Harvey laughed. “I told you there’s
no need to keep your guard up
around me. I’m not the type to aggressively stalk anyone.” He spun her out and pulled her back,
dropping his voice. “But honestly, would be the smartest
ng me
move you ever made. I’d do
whatever you asked. You say left, I’d never go right p>
Mira rolled her eyes. So much for not aggressively stalking her.
“Harvey, look around. Liora, Celine, Elara-they are all brilliant, incredible women You should be paying attention to them before someone else snatches them up p>
“They’re great, sure. But for me? Once you’ve seen the best, everything else is just background noise. You’re the only one who holds my attention p>
“First of all, you’re butchering that metaphor. Second, it’s not happening. I’ve already rejected you. What, are you planning to stay single forever p>
“We’ll see. We’re still young,” he smirked. There was always time to wear her down.
Mira sighed internally. Whatever. As long as she held her ground, he could waste his time if he wanted to.
“I’ve got a business pitch for you. Interested?” Harvey asked seamlessly.
“What kind of business p>