Chapter 8 Fell In Love

• Nanette looked back at Hartwin, and the two locked eyes for a fleeting moment before looking away simultaneously.
• Hartwin yelled at the host, “What are you waiting for?”
• The host, enjoying the show, instantly snapped back to his senses. “Thirty million for the first time!”
• “Thirty million for the second time!”
• “Thirty million for the third time!”
• “Sold! Congratulations, Mr. Hartwin!”
• Applause filled the entire room while Hartwin stepped onto the stage to accept that sapphire in front of the crowd.
• The sapphire was housed in an exquisite glass jewelry box. Its blue radiance was incredibly dazzling under the light, compelling many to yearn for a closer look.
• Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Hartwin approached Clayton and Nanette.
• Clayton frowned, probably thinking Hartwin was coming to show off.
• Unexpectedly, Hartwin handed the sapphire to Nanette. “This is for you.”
• Everyone present was utterly astounded.
• Hartwin was rumored to be frivolous and never played by the rules. Now, they had finally witnessed firsthand just how unpredictable he could be.
• Nanette looked at Hartwin in surprise.
• “Don't you like it?” Hartwin asked, enunciating each word so clearly that it sounded somewhat flirty.
• Nanette's heart skipped a beat for reasons she couldn't quite comprehend.
• “Nanette wouldn't—” Before Clayton could finish speaking, Hartwin stuffed the jewelry box in Nanette's hand, and she accepted it without hesitation.
• Clayton looked at Nanette in disbelief.
• Nanette said, “How can I say no when you're so insistent?”
• Hartwin flashed a charming smile capable of taking any woman's breath away.
• Then, turning to look at Clayton, he said, “This is what they call, a gentleman does not deprive others of what they cherish.”
• This was a sarcastic remark aimed at Clayton's hypocritical remarks.
• Clayton's face darkened, his hostility toward Hartwin as evident as ever.
• “I'm leaving,” Hartwin said, looking straight at Clayton.
• For a split second, Nanette thought he was talking to her.
• She watched him saunter away nonchalantly and had to admit that although Hartwin was reckless and arrogant, he exuded an overwhelming charisma that captured her heart.
• Is this how he wins women's heart over?
• Quiana, known for her candidness, couldn't help blurting out, “Since when did Hartwin become so handsome?”
• After she said that, Clayton's expression turned grimmer than ever.
• Nanette, on the other hand, smiled.
• Clayton always prided himself on being different from the other scions. He held himself in high regard, believed himself to be extraordinary, and looked down upon others.
• The outside world held high esteem for Clayton, hailing him as a once-in-a-millennium talent of Briostein. His background, knowledge, and abilities were so impeccable that they made people think life was unfair.
• It was only later that Nanette came to understand all these external conditions were provided to Clayton by the Goodall family. From a young age, he was raised under the spotlight and amidst praises, with the Goodalls paving an ambitious route for him since childhood. Yet, Clayton took all of this seriously and believed he was superior.
• Having his pride bruised by Hartwin, he was naturally seething with discontent.
• Quiana, realizing that she may have said that at an inappropriate time, stuck out her tongue. “It's getting late. I should head home.”
• Nanette nodded. “Be careful on your way back.”
• “Okay,” Quiana said before scurrying away.
• The charity dinner had finally come to an end, and all the guests made their way out.
• Despite his frustration, Clayton swallowed his annoyance and sent Nanette home.
• Nanette didn't initiate a conversation in the car and fixed her gaze on the sapphire.
• Clayton remained silent too, evidently still very upset.
• He could even imagine how the media would describe him the next day.
• Growing increasingly upset, Clayton lifted his gaze to Nanette, clearly disgruntled. “How could you accept his gift?”
• He wanted to say “you're embarrassing me by doing that,” but he ultimately swallowed it.
• Nanette replied, “My mom's birthday is coming up soon. She likes this sapphire, so I plan to give it to her.”
• “Even so—”
• “I wanted to get it myself, but you stopped me,” Nanette interrupted him.
• Clayton was at a loss for words.
• He had clearly assumed Nanette wanted him to foot the bill.
• Nanette said indifferently, “I told my father that I was attending the banquet to bid on this sapphire for my mother. I wanted to surprise her. My dad agreed and didn't set a limit for my card.”
• Clayton was evidently embarrassed.
• After a pause, he finally said, “I'm just... I'm just afraid that wastrel would take advantage of you. That's why I tried to stop you.”
• Nanette did not expose his lies. “Since Hartwin doesn't want it, there's nothing wrong with me taking it.”
• “What's so good about a gift from that wastrel—”
• “Clayton, you never used to insult others. Why are you like this now?” Nanette asked, wearing an innocent, genuinely confused expression.
• Clayton was taken aback.
• “You've been referring to Hartwin as a wastrel this whole evening, and you feel so strange to me. I thought you were above such vulgarity,” Nanette expressed her disappointment.
• Clayton hastily explained, “I was just upset because he was deliberately provoking me tonight. If you don't like it, I promise I won't say it again, okay?”
• Nanette nodded.
• Clayton, filled with rage and wanting to vent, was forced to suppress his emotions because of Nanette's words.
• Nanette sneered to herself. You want to play the hypocrite, huh? Enjoy that to your heart's content.
• Clayton escorted Nanette back to the Aldridge residence.
• The moment Nanette stepped out of the car to enter the residence, that sudden, familiar voice rang out again, scaring her out of her wits. “Ms. Aldridge.”
• She glared resentfully at the man under the streetlight, who was leaning against the wall with an air of elegance, his arms crossed over his chest.
• “Do you always pop out of nowhere?” Nanette said, clearly annoyed.
• “That's how having an affair usually works, right?”
• “I'm not having an affair with you!” Nanette felt that her manners and usual composure threatened to fall apart in the presence of this man.
• “I thought you were after my body when you asked me to crash the wedding.”
• Nanette was speechless. If only I can beat him to death.
• “Since we're not having an affair, give me back my card!” Hartwin suddenly changed the subject.
• Taking a deep breath to maintain her composure, she said, “Wait for me.”
• Hartwin nodded, and Nanette went it to retrieve the card.
• Hartwin was about to leave with the card when Nanette stopped him. “I'll transfer the money for the sapphire to you later.”
• “Oh, don't worry about it,” Hartwin replied with a casual wave. “I've already had my moment to show off. The money isn't a big deal for me.”
• Nanette was once again speechless. Do you realize your actions contradict your words? If you don't lack money, why do you want the card back?
• “Goodnight, Ms. Aldridge,” said Hartwin, hopping into his flashy red sports car and driving off.
• For some reason, Nanette had a feeling that Hartwin's demeanor was entirely different from who he truly was.
• Am I overthinking? No. I think he's just like that, hiding his light under a bushel.
• Meanwhile, the enigmatic man was driving while examining the card between his fingers. His expression, as always, gave nothing away about what he was truly thinking.
• His gaze flickered slightly as he connected his phone with the car via Bluetooth. “Jamie.”
• “Nolan's back.”
• “Got it,” Hartwin responded curtly.
• “I heard you spent thirty million tonight just to make some lady happy?” Jamie couldn't contain his curiosity.
• The corners of Hartwin's lips curved. “Yes, I'm in love.”
• Jamie froze. Am I hearing things? This guy, who had never shown interest in women, is now telling me he's in love? He's making it sound like it's a big deal. D*mn it, who's he showing off to?