Chapter 20 The Blind Date Showdown.
The private room was softly lit, with a few people seated around a round table. Diana sat at the head of the table, with Brian beside her, the two engaged in a quiet conversation. Opposite them, a young man sat slightly sideways, dressed in a tailored suit. His demeanor was relaxed, yet there was an unmistakable air of danger about him.
“Addie, you’re here” Diana looked up, a gentle smile on her face, her tone betraying an undeniable sense of satisfaction.
Adeline nodded slightly, but her gaze halted momentarily when it landed on the man. He was looking at her, too, the corner of his lips curling into a faint, unreadable smile.
“This is Justin Kyree, heir of the Kyree Group, Diana introduced. “Mr. Justin, this is Adeline Dustin, whom I’ve often.
mentioned.”
Justin stood up and extended a hand toward her. “Ms. Dustin, long time no see.”
His voice was deep and magnetic, impossible to ignore. Adeline felt a jolt in her heart; this voice was far too familiar. Almost instantly, she recalled a banquet from years ago.
Back then, I was still the cherished daughter of the Layton family, and he was the celebrated patriarch of the Kyree family. During a lull in the banquet, he had approached me and teasingly asked if I’d like to dance. But I had no interest in frivolous playboys and had turned him down with indifference.
I never expected that years later, we would meet again under such circumstances.
“Mr. Justin.” Adeline suppressed her emotions, shook his hand briefly, and then withdrew. “Indeed, it has been a long time.”
A glimmer of intrigue flickered in Justin’s eyes. “I never thought we’d meet again, Ms. Dustin. What a twist of fate.”
His tone was lighthearted yet carried an underlying sincerity, making it hard to discern whether he was joking or serious
Adeline chose not to respond and, at Diana’s invitation, took a seat. Brian immediately poured her a cup of tea, smiling warmly. “Ms Dustin, you’re becoming more beautiful by the day. No wonder Mr. Justin is so interested in you.”
“You flatter me, Mr. Brian.” Adeline lifted her teacup, using it as a shield to conceal her true emotions; her voice was as calm as still water.
This is not flattery, but the truth, Diana interjected. “Addie, you’re not getting any younger. It’s time to start thinking about your future. Mr. Justin is an exceptional man–successful, caring, and most importantly, he knows how to cherish a woman.”
“Oh Adeline arched an eyebrow and glanced at Justin. “I’ve heard that Mr. Justin has made great strides in the business world over the years. But as for knowing how to cherish a woman, where does that claim come from?”
Her words sounded casual, but the underlying sharpness instantly shifted the atmosphere in the room.
However, Justin was unfazed. Instead, he chuckled. “Ms. Dustin, you certainly have a sharp tongue. But I assure you, I do know how to cherish women. If you don’t believe me, why not give it a try?”
His remark elicited laughter from Brian and Diana, while Adeline simply lowered her eyes and placed her teacup back on the table, saying nothing more.
The dinner continued in this seemingly harmonious yet tension–filled manner. Diana and Brian continuously praised Justin and subtly hinted that their union would be ideal. Justin, on the other hand, handled it effortlessly, neither fully agreeing nor rejecting their suggestions. Occasionally, he would glance at Adeline, catching the hint of coldness in her eyes, which only intrigued him further.
After dinner, Justin took the initiative to offer Adeline a ride home. Diana was delighted and even reminded him, “Drive carefully, and don’t scare our dear Addie.
A sleek black Maybach was parked outside the restaurant, exuding understated luxury. The chauffeur respectfully opened the drive bus Adeline did not immediately not in toteud de mened to fustin “Thank you for the offer hot I’d rather nike arah
His voice was gentle, yet there was an undeniable firmness to it, making it difficult for Adeline to refuse outright,
In
the end, she got into the car. However, as they drove away, she quickly noticed that they weren’t heading toward her home.
Where are you taking me?” she asked, frowning
There’s a nice café nearby. I thought I’d treat you to a cup of coffee,” he replied nonchalantly, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. “Don’t worry, I won’t take up too much of your time.”
Adeline wanted to refuse, but then she reconsidered.
Perhaps this was an opportunity to gauge his true intentions
So, she remained silent.
The cafe was filled with the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee, a stark contrast to the bustling city outside. They were seated by a window, and soon, the waiter brought over two cups of freshly ground coffee–along with a bouquet of exquisitely wrapped roses.
“What’s this?” Adeline eyed the flowers warily.
Just a small gesture.” Justin said, sliding them toward her. “Each flower carries a special meaning. This one symbolizes fate, and that one represents ‘protection.
He spoke as if conducting a sacred ritual, but to Adeline, it felt more like a well–rehearsed act.
“Thank you, but I must decline. She pushed the flowers back, her voice cold. “If you have something to say, just say it. No need for theatrics”
Instead of getting angry, Justin’s smile deepened, “Alright, I’ll be direct–1 want us to get married as soon as possible.”
His words struck like a bolt of lightning, momentarily freezing the air. Even though Adeline had mentally prepared herself, she was still taken aback.
“Married: Are you joking?”
“No. I’m very serious. He looked straight into her eyes, an unreadable emotion swirling within his gaze. “From the moment I first saw you, I knew you were meant to be mine. So, I don’t want to waste any time–I won’t let you slip away.”
His confession was both domineering and passionate, making it impossible to ignore. The contradiction unsettled Adeline, heightening her wariness.
“Do you even know about my past?” she asked suddenly, her tone laced with self–deprecation. “A woman who’s been in prison -what makes me worthy of being your wife?”
“The past doesn’t define the future. His response was immediate and unwavering. “And I don’t care about your past. I care about who you are now and who you’ll become.”
His words were flawless, yet they only made Adeline more skeptical. Then, his next statement confirmed her suspicions.
“Actually, my family likes you as well. They believe you will bring us good fortune, which is why they’re eager for this marriage to happen.”
Good fortune? The reason sounded absurd, yet in the world of the elite, it was entirely plausible. But precisely because of this, I became more certain–this marriage was hiding some deeper agenda.
Just as the atmosphere grew tense, a cold, familiar voice suddenly cut through the air.
“It looks like you two are having a great time.
Daik adalina and toxic rumad
“What are you doing?”