At the engagement party, Aria was easy to recognize.
A girl with an innocent and charming appearance stood next to Jordan, her smile bright and sunny.
One glance, and I knew she was the female lead.
Then, Aria unintentionally locked eyes with Logan, who raised his glass to her from afar.
Connor brought her a plate of snacks, and she thanked him softly.
I watched all this from a distance, arms crossed, musing inwardly.
Then Connor caught my eye and tilted his head.
I looked away.
It seemed their love triangle was still unfolding as the system had predicted.
Laughing inwardly, I recalled how the system said the three men would eventually bankrupt Foster Corp. to win the lady’s favor.
I rolled my eyes and turned to leave.
At the party, other acquaintances greeted me with cheerful smiles.
I mingled comfortably until a friend accidentally dropped a pastry, staining my skirt with chocolate sauce.
I waved it off nonchalantly, "No worries, I’ll just go change into another."
I asked the butler for a black dress, which I slipped into before stepping out again.
Jordan leaned against the wall, a cigarette between his fingers, exuding a casual vibe.
He raised an eyebrow upon seeing me.
I was surprised.
Connor also appeared suddenly, giving me a second scare.
He came over, patting Jordan on the shoulder, "Congrats, brother, on your engagement."
Logan, emerging from nowhere, startled me for the third time.
He chuckled, "Didn’t expect him to be the first."
Connor clicked his tongue, "He’s not good enough for her."
I listened to their conversation noncommittally.
Don’t be fooled; Connor and Logan may seem indifferent about Jordan's engagement, but soon, Aria will play the damsel in a bar for Connor and dazzle Logan at an academic conference, sparking the love battle among them.
Jordan, usually impassive, called out my name with a rare normalcy, "Mia."
I responded, "Hmm?"
"Aren’t you going to congratulate me?"
I nodded, "Congratulations."
My indifference was apparent, but he didn’t seem to mind.
While the upstairs was quiet, the ground floor suddenly became noisy.
A friend of Aria's ran up, distressed, "What to do? Aria tripped downstairs!"
Jordan didn’t move. An awkward silence filled the air.
Connor coughed lightly.
Only then did Jordan stand and head downstairs.
Connor and Logan followed soon after.
Connor half-joked, "Look how worried you are."
…Jordan didn’t seem that anxious.
Connor turned back, "Mia, just watch us get engaged one by one. Anyway, no one would want someone like you."
I smirked, "I don't want it either, I’m planning to study abroad."
My words floated lightly.
Jordan’s cigarette dropped to the ground, his Adam’s apple bobbed, "What do you mean?"
"Aren't you happy that you won't see me again?" I arched my eyebrows.
He looked up, scanning me.
The dim light on the second floor contrasted starkly with the raucous laughter below.
Jordan, seldom dressed formally, had always appeared aloof. Now, his expression turned cold, and a palpable tension arose.
He asked again, stressing each word, his deep voice emotionless, "What do you mean?"
I retorted, "Can’t you understand plain speech?"
Logan removed his glasses, pressing the bridge of his nose, his usually bright eyes now seemed strangely dim, "Reason?"
I widened my eyes, "Are you all crazy? You are not my parents.Why should I report to you?"
Connor leaned against the railing, his dimples shallow, his tone light, "Mia, are you jealous?"
What kind of logic? What nonsense?
I took a deep breath, suppressing the urge to lash out—
No more hitting. Times have changed, I can’t defeat them now. They could knock me out with one punch.
"What, I can’t go abroad now?"
No one responded.
I clicked my heels and turned to leave.
Logan’s restrained voice followed, "What were all those years for?"
That he could ask such a thing?
"It’s as if you were my servants. What, got used to being bullied by me and can’t let go?" My cheerful voice trailed off.
Perfect.
There’s a thrill in bullying someone and then escaping.
That foolish system mentioned my tragic ending?
The first half of my life as a domineering villainess, the latter half vacationing in Bali watching six-packs.
Who could have it better?
My wrist was suddenly grabbed, startling me, yanking me back from my delightful daydreams.
I faced Connor, his dark eyes intense, his dimples nowhere in sight.
"Not letting me go?" I calmed down, pinched his cheek like I used to, only this time gently.
He hesitated, then hummed softly.
I laughed, "Really, fell for me? Are you always this easy to fall for someone, Connor?"
We stood locked in a moment.
Connor’s grip on my hand gradually loosened.
"A heartless person doesn’t deserve love," he said.
I tiptoed and patted his head, my tone casual as if soothing a puppy, "You got it now, go play then."
