Chapter 217: The Dance of Jealousy In one corner of the bustling canteen, Meilyn sat with her group of friends, a mix of girls and guys, the most prominent among them being her boyfriend, Richard.
They chatted and laughed, their voices harmonizing with the lively atmosphere around them.
But Meilyn’s attention was elsewhere; it was fixated on Xin, who was seated a few tables away, surrounded by a growing crowd of admirers.
Richard, noticing Meilyn’s distraction, frowned slightly. "I still can’t believe Seraphina’s into that guy," he remarked, his tone laced with disdain. "I mean, look at him. How could she downgrade her prestige like that?"
Meilyn tried to focus on Richard’s words, but her ears caught the soft whispers from a group of girls nearby.
"Have you seen him?"
. "That guy, right?"
"Yep. Xin. I thought that he’s plain looking and lethargic, but don’t you think that he’s kind of cute?"
"He’s good looking, isn’t he? So mysterious and aloof. It’s like he has this charm that pulls you in," one of them said, her voice tinged with admiration.
"No wonder that Seraphina like him."
"He’s definitely cute. I heard he’s really quiet too," another girl added, her eyes glinting with fascination.
"You do like quiet guys."
Listening to these conversations, Meilyn felt a pang of jealousy gnawing at her insides. There was an undeniable allure in the way the girls talked about Xin, a quality that made her understand the fascination, and also made her fiercely covet him for herself.
Trying to mask her insecurity, Meilyn forced a smile. "Xin is really kind once you get to know him," she replied, attempting to sound nonchalant. "Maybe it’s what Seraphina had seen."
But deep down, Meilyn couldn’t shake off the feeling that there was something magnetic about Xin, something that drew people in and held their attention captive.
It happened to her, too. So she knew that feeling.
As she watched him, his white hair falling slightly over his eyes as he glanced at his lunch, she found herself inexplicably captivated too, even amidst her jealousy.
On the other side of the map, In the lavish confines of the Thornebridge Corporation, Nathaniel Thornebridge, the epitome of aristocratic charm and wealth, held his private office like a king reigning over his domain.
He was a man who seemed to have been crafted by the hands of a God, with a level of sophistication that made the term ’dashing’ an understatement.
His office was a testament to his opulence, adorned with mahogany furniture, intricate Persian rugs, and paintings that could make art enthusiasts weep with admiration.
Nathaniel himself was a vision. His violet hair, a shade that seemed to be an echo of twilight, shone with an otherworldly brilliance. It cascaded elegantly around his shoulders, framing a face so devastatingly handsome that it could singlehandedly increase the birth rate of the country by 200%.
His eyes, a mesmerizing shade of amethyst, held an air of mystery, a glimpse into the enigma that was Nathaniel Thornebridge.
However, behind the allure and grace, there simmered a storm of emotions.
Nathaniel had been groomed to be the perfect match for Seraphina Fey, the golden girl of high society.
The union of their families was seen as the union of two empires, a match that could solidify power and influence for generations.
Nathaniel was supposed to be the first candidate to claim Seraphina’s heart and hand.
But then, like an unexpected thunderclap on a clear day, the news reached him. Seraphina Fey, the woman he was supposed to marry, had found herself a boyfriend named Xin.
Nathaniel normally composed demeanor cracked, replaced by a flicker of rage and disbelief.
He wasted no time. "Gather all the information you can find about this Xin," Nathaniel commanded his team, his voice laced with a determination that sent shivers down their spines.
His violet eyes glinted with a dangerous intensity, a promise that he would not rest until he knew everything about the man who dared to stand between him and his destiny.
In the heart of the Thornebridge Corporation, amidst the hushed whispers of employees and the scent of expensive cologne, Nathaniel Thornebridge plotted his next move.
His pursuit of Seraphina’s heart had taken an unexpected turn, and he was not a man who accepted defeat easily.
The game was afoot, and Nathaniel was prepared to play it with all the cunning and ruthlessness of a man who had everything to lose.
Amidst the whirlwind of emotions and intrigue surrounding him, Xin remained blissfully ignorant of the sentiments that bubbled in the hearts of those around him.
Love and romance were distant concepts, far removed from his immediate concerns at the moment.
Upon returning home, Xin was greeted by an unusual emptiness.
Xiaxia was conspicuously absent, a departure from the usual routine. He recalled her incessant chatter that morning about her plans with Seraphina –– a day of shopping and spa treatments, a fact that had been reiterated so many times that Xin had involuntarily tuned it out.
Entering the kitchen, he was met with a sight that hinted at Seraphina’s luxurious lifestyle.
Takeouts that were heated were neatly arranged on the table, a silent testament to the presence of staff who catered to Seraphina’s needs.
They seemed to materialize magically, much like the famed Ryukans, renowned for their ability to leave guests bewildered at their well-made beds after dinner and then it impeccably tucked in the wardrobes after breakfast.
With a shrug, Xin dismissed the thought, accepting this as a common facet of Seraphina’s life, one he was still getting accustomed to.
After a relaxing bath and a quiet dinner, Xin settled into his usual routine.
Unfazed by the outside chaos, he immersed himself in his own world, diligently working on his projects and school assignments. The soft glow of his desk lamp illuminated his expression as he delved into his art.
As the evening wore on and the digital clock on his desk ticked away, Xin’s attention remained focused. He was acutely aware of the time, mindful of his upcoming virtual rendezvous with friends in the gaming world.
Rever and Yuzuro were still entangled in their real-world jobs at this moment.
In the meantime, Xin utilized this waiting period wisely, channeling his energy into his academic pursuits and personal projects, finding solace in the familiar hum of pencils strokes on paper.