Chapter 5

In a corner of the banquet, Chen Jialing, like a hen protecting her chicks, swatted Li Daqi’s unwanted hand away. Her tone was annoyed: “Li Daqi, aren’t you the perfect candidate? The Li Group is also quite good. Why pass the opportunity on to someone else?”

She knew full well that Eloise Rhodes was a connection she’d worked hard to establish. She couldn’t let any other woman take advantage of this situation. Nor could she allow Eloise Rhodes to get involved herself. If any woman managed to get hold of Eloise Rhodes, then she’d have no chance left at all.

Li Daqi kept shaking his head and waving his hands, his face showing clear refusal. “Throughout City A, which family can even compete with the Rhodes family? The Li family might just rank among the top five. If we’re to teach them a lesson, it must be a harsh one, to completely break their desire to cling to powerful families!”

Half of what he said was true. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to go. He simply had a weakness: in his entire life, he wasn’t afraid of anything except women crying. If that woman shed even a few tears, he’d definitely give in. If his brothers found out about this, he’d have no face left to show them anymore.

Ye Da leaned in, teasingly patting Eloise Rhodes on the shoulder. “Young Master Xuan, all the brothers have their eyes on you! Whether it’s tactics or charm, when you take action, I guarantee success!”

Lenn Gibson, who was Eloise Rhodes’s cousin, also fanned the flames, with sinister intentions in his eyes. “I guess my cousin lacks confidence in his own charm, doesn’t he? Besides, my mom always tries to push those worthless women on me. This is the perfect opportunity to teach those women a lesson. Please do me this favor, cousin.”

He certainly didn’t want to take action himself. Playing the role of a heartless scoundrel who offends others was perfect for Elodie Rhodes, a veteran in matters of love. All he needed to do was watch the drama unfold.

Eloise Rhodes glanced at each of their faces, a sly glint in her eyes. She knew better than anyone what their motives were. But seeing their amused expressions, and thinking of that woman who had dared to make all those ridiculous demands to his aunt in the hospital and even stare at him rudely, his competitive spirit was instantly ignited.

“Her? Do I really need to intervene?” Eloise Rhodes sneered, her tone full of arrogance. “She’s just a woman who wants to marry a rich man. She’s easy to handle.”

“You can’t make too many promises, Young Master Xuan.” Li Daqi’s eyes sparkled as he made a bet in front of everyone. “If you can get her to sleep with you and then dump her within a month, I’ll be your free driver for three months—available whenever you need me!”

Ye Da also increased his bet, smiling slyly: “I’ll bet half a month! Does our young master Xuan really need a whole month to win over her? If I win, I’ll withdraw from the bidding for the land in the western suburbs. That land will be yours!”

Lenn Gibson picked up the red wine on the table and smiled slyly. “I’m not like you guys. I bet that in three months, you won’t be able to handle her, cousin!” He did it on purpose, just to see how Eloise Rhodes would fail.

A month, half a month… Eloise Rhodes kept her gaze fixed on Lenn Gibson, her arrogance growing by the moment. Three months? With a woman like that, he wouldn’t need even a week to make her beg for his mercy. Those bastards clearly thought too highly of him!

Over the years, he’s been surrounded by drama queens, movie stars, and wealthy socialites. Everyone wanted to get close to him. He’s tired of it all. Since he’s bored right now, why not play along with them? And maybe give that woman who has no idea what’s real a lesson or two.

“Xuan Shao, don’t listen to them!” Chen Jialing became anxious. She noticed that Eloise Rhodes had ulterior motives. She quickly grabbed his arm, her voice tinged with panic. “That woman isn’t good enough for you. Staying with her will only lower your status!”

She was so anxious that she forgot to maintain her elegant demeanor, fearing that Eloise Rhodes might actually go after that woman and leave her behind.

Eloise Rhodes completely ignored her words. She stretched out her right index finger and said firmly, “One week! I’ll show you just how miserable her life really is. By then, remember to keep your promise, Cousin Ren. And you too, think carefully about what you’ll give me if you lose. If you can’t think of anything, I’ll decide for you.”

Seeing this, everyone laughed and agreed, their eyes filled with anticipation as they waited to see this wonderful spectacle.

On the other hand, Adrian Thorpe wore a short skirt and high heels studded with rhinestones. She walked over to Selina Thorpe, her eyes filled with longing for all the glitz and glamour around her. She had already put away her phone.

Selena Thorne felt someone sit down beside her. Nervously, she opened her eyes and saw it was her sister. Relieved, she immediately stood up. “Adrian, let’s go back. This isn’t a place for us.”

Adrian Thorp grabbed her and forced her back onto the sofa. Excitedly, he pointed at Eloise Rhodes and the others not far away. Lowering his voice, he said, “Second sister, look! That’s Eloise Rhodes, the head of the Rhodes Consortium. Isn’t she incredibly handsome? Rich and beautiful too—perfect!”

In her eyes, there was a sense of determination and certainty, as if Eloise Rhodes already belonged to her. If she knew that Eloise Rhodes and the others were talking about her sister, and that they were treating her sister’s teasing as some kind of game, she probably wouldn’t act like this at all.

Selena Thorne looked in the direction she was pointing. Her eyes met Eloise Rhodes’s. Her heart tightened, and she warned seriously, “Adrian, don’t ever try to get involved with him! He never takes women seriously—he just plays around with them. Look around him—he’s always surrounded by women.”

“Second sister, aren’t all rich people like that these days?” Adrian Thorpe shrugged nonchalantly, his chin raised high in anticipation. “As long as I can make him fall in love with me and unable to live without me, won’t that be enough? Then we can live a good life together.”

“Fall in love with you?” Selena Thorpe sneered, her gaze sharp as she stared at Eloise Rhodes not far away. “On average, he has a different woman who goes to the hospital with him for an abortion every three months. Do you really think a man like that would ever change for any woman? He’ll just get tired of you and discard you like nothing.”

Not far away, Eloise Rhodes was suddenly glared at by Selena Thorpe. She raised her eyebrows, a playful flicker in her eyes. They must be talking about him. He was used to admiring glances, but this hostile stare was something new for him.

Interesting. It seems like he won’t get bored this week.

“It’s all because of those women who want to tie him down with children that he acts like that! If it were me, I definitely wouldn’t do such things…” Adrian Thorpe tried to defend himself, but when he met Selina Thorpe’s cold gaze, he swallowed back the rest of his words. He knew that if he continued speaking, he’d face an endless lecture about politics.

“Do wealthy people really think they can disregard their own lives?” Selina Thorpe clenched her fists in anger, her voice trembling with emotion. “If they don’t want children, then why let those women get pregnant? Those are innocent lives after all!”

“Second sister, second sister!” Adrian Thorpe suddenly became extremely excited. He nervously grabbed Selina Thorpe’s hand, his voice trembling with excitement. “He’s here! Eloise Rhodes has arrived!”

“Who’s here?” Selina Thorpe was startled. As she raised her head, she saw Eloise Rhodes standing in front of her.

The man wore a custom-made suit, standing tall and upright. His captivating peach-colored eyes smiled, his lips forming a perfect curve. Holding a glass of red wine in his hand, he extended it toward her. With a deep, pleasant voice, he said, “Miss Selena Thorpe, may I buy you a drink?”

Before coming here, he had already learned about Selina Thorpe’s basic information from Lenn Gibson. He knew that when dealing with vain women, there’s no need to ask for their names. Simply calling them by their names would make them feel favorable toward you. Miała remembered this well.

Selena Thorne looked at the man before her and had to admit that he was indeed impeccably handsome. Those peach-colored eyes seemed capable of capturing anyone’s soul. No wonder so many women, despite knowing he was a playboy, kept pursuing him anyway.

The two exchanged glances for two seconds. Selina Thorpe instinctively wanted to reach out, but then she thought again: No matter how attractive someone’s appearance may be, if they lack a heart that respects life and knows how to love themselves, it’s all meaningless on the surface.

She slowly withdrew her hand, her tone calm yet firm: “I’m sorry, I don’t drink alcohol.”

“Second sister!” Adrian Thorpe, anxious, secretly tugged at Selina Thorpe’s skirt, his eyes filled with frustration. What a great opportunity! How could she just refuse like that?

Eloise Rhodes’s smile froze for a moment, a flicker of surprise passing in her eyes before it was replaced by a teasing expression. He hadn’t expected this woman to actually dare refuse him. It seemed this game would be far more interesting than he had imagined.