novelraw Chapter 588: Bottling it up all day, sooner or later it will lead to problems.
Chapter 588: Bottling it up all day, sooner or later it will lead to problems.
The arrival of the Howard Family instantly ignited the atmosphere at the venue. Despite Yeats Howard’s infamous reputation throughout Imperial City in recent years, it couldn’t deter the socialites and heiresses from swooning over another frosty man with a perpetually expressionless face.
No one expected Ignatius Leclair to show up with a female companion, shattering hearts like broken glass strewn across the floor.
Delphine watched as Melody Cloud gracefully hooked her arm through Ignatius’, her radiant smile so poised and effortless. Delphine, in turn, casually linked arms with Finnian and murmured softly, "You’re mine tonight, Cousin Finnian."
Finnian’s expression stiffened for a brief second, before he let out a resigned sigh, his face radiating a gallant smile. "Risking my life to accompany a beauty it is, then."
Tonight, Delphine was dressed for battle—and for rivalry, both old and new. Finnian couldn’t help but feel like he was about to lose a layer of skin from all the tension. Still, with a beauty by his side, even Finnian couldn’t resist turning on the charm, his usual elegance tinged with a bit more flirtatious flair.
"Brother Ignatius, I’m not that familiar with the influential families here in Imperial City. Could you introduce me?" Melody Cloud was meticulously dressed tonight, tailoring herself to Ignatius’ known preferences—the look of an innocent and pure maiden. Her ethereal white gown complemented her shyness perfectly as she asked sweetly.
Ignatius’ handsome face remained devoid of emotion, yet his deep gaze pierced through the crowd, landing firmly on the woman whispering beside Finnian. She was wearing an off-shoulder black gown that made her fair skin glow like porcelain. The men around her practically had green glints in their eyes, wishing they could glue their gazes to her figure. Ignatius’ expression darkened subtly, his thin lips pressed into a line, betraying a trace of displeasure.
The man’s thoughts were utterly consumed by Delphine Carter; he was deaf to whatever Melody Cloud was saying.
Melody’s smile froze on her face. Following Ignatius’ line of sight, she zeroed in on Delphine. Instantly, rage bubbled under her surface, so intense she nearly broke one of her perfectly manicured nails.
On the sidelines, Yeats Howard watched smugly, thoroughly enjoying the drama. His cold-faced uncle had never revealed any warmth to anyone—did Melody really think pulling the "grandmatriarch card" could sway him? Naïve!
"Miss Melody, what’s your aim in getting acquainted with Imperial City’s noble sons? Could it be you’re planning to marry into Imperial City?" Yeats smirked and cleared his throat before snarking, "I thought you were determined to marry my little uncle, and no one else would do."
Melody’s face turned shades of pale green and stark white, utterly fuming inside. That Demon King Hun of the Howard Family—what was his problem with her? She hadn’t provoked him!
"Let’s go," Ignatius instructed coolly, walking forward to congratulate and exchange pleasantries with the Luck family hosts.
Melody immediately donned an elegant smile, as poised as a swan, tightening her hold on Ignatius’ arm. Her gaze, however, sharpened like knives as she looked at Delphine—provocative and faintly smug.
"She’s provoking you. Will you respond?" Finnian’s refined and gentlemanly face carried the slightest hint of playful mischief as he egged her on.
Delphine raised her brows, replying languidly, "Should I go up there to pull her hair, and then claw at her dress? Apologies, Mr. Wood, but I lack interest in such trivialities."
Finnian, with a sudden movement, encircled her slender waist, spinning her lightly while whispering closely, "Delicate Delphine, men conquer the world, while women only need to conquer men."
Finnian noted Ignatius’ icy glare as it landed squarely on Delphine’s elegant back, sultry under the glow of the black gown. Seeing his face instantly turn stormy, Finnian chuckled to himself and added softly, "Winning over the man next to her is a hundred times more effective than pulling her hair."
Delphine arched her eyebrow, glanced toward Ignatius and Melody, and quipped dryly, "I have no interest in damaged men."
Finnian saw Ignatius’ gaze grow darker than ever and cleared his throat softly before finally releasing Delphine from his grasp. "I should go for now," he said with a fleeting grin.
Using such straightforward tactics required balance; overdo it, and someone would end up needing a stretcher by the end of the evening. Finnian left with a faint smirk, thinking to himself, That repressed man, constantly bottling everything up—one day, he’s bound to self-destruct.