novelraw Chapter 200: Two Predatory Guys
Chapter 200: Two Predatory Guys
Chapter 200: Two Men on the Prowl
David took her to the studio of an international fashion maestro. The gowns he had were unreleased runway pieces from a luxury brand’s latest collection.
The maestro recommended two designs based on Rachel Royce’s figure.
Rachel tried on the first one, a slip dress in shimmering green satin. Though it lacked overly complex designs, it was simple yet elegant, incredibly eye-catching and alluring. On Rachel, it accentuated her exceptional figure and captivating aura.
David’s aquamarine eyes watched her intently.
Rachel then changed into another gown: a strapless, floor-length dress in a blue gradient, complete with a matching shawl. The rhinestones embedded in the flared skirt shimmered like sunlight scattered across the ocean’s surface.
Rachel liked both gowns. One was more sultry, the other more ethereal.
In the end, Rachel chose the blue gradient gown.
After Rachel’s hair and makeup were done, she emerged.
The moment David saw her, his pupils dilated, his eyes filled with unconcealable astonishment.
Rachel gave him a faint smile.
David stood and walked over, a smile in his eyes. "Evelynn, can you guess what you look like today?"
Rachel looked at him quizzically. "What?"
David’s smile deepened. "Like my bride." With that, he extended a gentlemanly hand toward Rachel.
He had deliberately chosen a suit in a color similar to Rachel’s gown. His golden hair was slicked back, accentuating his handsome features and the air of a British aristocrat. As he smiled, his aquamarine eyes seemed as pure and clear as a melting alpine glacier.
Rachel made no move to take his hand, just smiled faintly. "Is it too late for me to go change into a different dress?"
David sighed dramatically and lowered his hand, a look of mock grievance on his face. "Don’t be like that. You’re breaking my heart."
「At five in the afternoon.」
Rachel appeared on David’s arm at a villa estate on Long Island.
The host of today’s banquet was a Wall Street hedge fund tycoon, and the guest list consisted mainly of industry elites.
David led Rachel to greet the host and introduced her to a few other influential figures.
It was the first time anyone had seen this young master of the Kesas Family bring a date to such an event. From his attentiveness, his intentions were obvious to any discerning eye.
One of the magnates teased, "David, it’s about time you considered getting married."
But no matter how smitten he was, his eventual bride would undoubtedly be someone chosen for a strategic marriage that benefited his family.
David laughed. "I’m working on it, haha."
Just then, they noticed two people approaching.
It was none other than Tristan Sterling and Zion Alden. Tristan was, as usual, in a dark suit, his bearing noble and composed. Zion wore a vintage-style red suit that complemented his roguishly handsome aura.
Rachel didn’t look at them. She lifted her glass and took a sip of red wine, but she could feel an intensely invasive gaze fixed on her, making her extremely uncomfortable.
Suddenly, a hand rested on her waist. She glanced down to see David’s arm loosely wrapped around her. She didn’t move.
David looked at the two approaching men and greeted them, "You’re here."
Tristan Sterling and Zion Alden walked up, first greeting the others. The exchange was perfectly harmonious and natural. While Tristan was chatting with the others...
...Zion Alden stared unabashedly at Rachel. David shifted to block his view and reminded him, "Mr. Alden, you shouldn’t stare at another man’s woman like that."
A smile played on Zion’s lips, his voice laced with a chilling coldness. "Mr. David’s woman?"
"Who else’s? Is there a problem?"
"Just how many women are you with at the same time, Mr. David?" he asked, his gaze landing on Rachel. "So, Evelynn, you prefer Mr. David’s type."
Rachel didn’t respond, pretending she hadn’t heard him.
David said, "Doesn’t your country have an old saying? ’Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.’ In any case, Evelynn doesn’t like your type, Mr. Alden." He then turned to Tristan, who was now looking over, and added, "And she doesn’t like your type, either."
Tristan’s gaze fell on Rachel, a cool smile touching his lips. "Why don’t we let Miss Evelynn tell us herself what type she likes?"
Zion glanced sideways at Tristan. The man’s eyes betrayed no obvious interest in Evelynn, yet within his dark pupils lay a profound, unreadable depth.
Rachel stared back at Tristan and said, "In any case, I have no interest in men like Mr. Alden or Mr. Sterling."
David raised his eyebrows triumphantly at Tristan. "You hear that?"
Tristan’s handsome face remained impassive.
Zion let out a low chuckle. "No matter. As long as we like you, that’s enough."
Rachel’s expression darkened.
Just then, David’s phone vibrated.
He took out his phone and glanced at it. Then he said to the other magnates, "I’d better steer clear of these two guys on the prowl. I have a couple of friends who just arrived, so I’m going to go meet them."
The magnates chuckled softly. "Go on, then!"
David took Rachel’s hand and turned to leave.
Even after they had walked some distance away, Rachel could feel a gaze fixed on her back, though she couldn’t tell whose it was.
After saying a few words to the magnates, Tristan Sterling also turned and left. Zion Alden walked up to him and asked, "Really that interesting?"
Tristan stared straight ahead, his handsome face cold and somber. "I don’t like to repeat myself."
Zion looked at the man’s profile and didn’t press the matter.
Meanwhile, Julian Jennings and Thomas Sterling were outside the estate.
David made a call to have the gatekeeper let them in.
The two then took a shuttle cart into the estate grounds.
Upon seeing Rachel, Thomas Sterling couldn’t help but say, "Rachel, you look beautiful today."
David said, "No matter how beautiful she is, Evelynn is with me now. I’d advise you not to stare too hard, Mr. Sterling."
Thomas Sterling just laughed. "No need to be so vigilant, Mr. David."
Julian Jennings withdrew his gaze from Rachel. "What time does the banquet end?"
"It’s just getting started. Let’s go inside."
Once inside, the indoor ballroom was vast, glittering with golden light and filled with enchanting music.
Across the crowd, Julian Jennings immediately spotted Zion Alden sitting on a sofa not far away.
Zion noticed Julian’s arrival, and a chill instantly formed in his dark eyes.
Their eyes met across the crowd, an invisible tension crackling between them.
Zion stood up and headed straight for Julian.
David prepared to lead Rachel away. After all, she was his date for the evening, so she couldn’t spend the whole time with Julian and the others.
Following Julian’s gaze, the group looked up and saw Zion Alden walking toward them.
David took Rachel’s hand. "Evelynn, let’s go."
Rachel glanced back at Julian Jennings and Thomas Sterling. "I’ll go on ahead, then."
Julian said, "Go on."
Rachel followed David, moving away from Zion’s direction.
David took her to mingle with other guests and then pulled her onto the dance floor. He stayed by her side the entire time, looking for all the world like he was afraid someone would snatch her away.
Zion Alden didn’t appear before Rachel again, and she breathed a small sigh of relief. However, she also didn’t see any sign of Tristan Sterling in the ballroom.