CHAPTER 32: CHAPTER 32: KISSING HER IN PUBLIC, WILD AND RECKLESS

Diane was somewhat upset and wanted to stand up for Adrian, but he grabbed her arm.

In private, to appease her, he could show vulnerability.

In public, he would not depend on a woman for protection.

Watching Ethan and Seraphina’s interaction, his fingers subconsciously tightened.

Diane felt a bit of pain from his grip and frowned as she tried to pull away.

Adrian realized his faux pas, quickly let go of her arm, and gently comforted her by patting her hand.

Vice Mayor Donovan glanced at Adrian, frowning slightly.

He was somewhat dissatisfied with the boyfriend his daughter had chosen.

Compared to Ethan, Adrian was still a bit lacking.

Of course, he quickly concealed his emotions.

"President Sterling, shall we sit and talk in the smoking room?"

Compared to these matters, the city’s investment projects were of greater importance.

"Sure!" Ethan glanced sideways, gently patting Seraphina’s back, "Wait for me a moment, I’ll be back soon."

Seraphina nodded.

Releasing her, Ethan stepped forward, stretched out his arm, and grabbed Adrian’s shoulder.

His fingers were like a vice, yet his face was still smiling.

"Old classmate, let’s go together!"

Adrian couldn’t make a scene, so he forced a smile and followed the men into the smoking room.

In the banquet hall, only a few women remained.

Unavoidably, they had to flatter Seraphina.

"Miss Thorne, you are truly blessed!"

"Indeed, someone as outstanding as President Sterling, if I had a daughter, I’d wish for her to marry him."

Someone noticed Diane being neglected and quickly chimed in with a laugh.

"Miss Donovan is the same, the Chamberlain Family is also one of the best in Jadeston."

"Yes, indeed!"

The affairs of the Thorne and Chamberlain families were, naturally, known among the gossip-loving women.

Sensing the tension between Diane and Seraphina, everyone exchanged pleasantries before finding excuses to leave.

On one side was the mayor’s daughter, on the other was the new love of a financial magnate...

They didn’t want to offend either side, nor would they take sides lightly.

"Miss Donovan, excuse me."

Seraphina turned and walked towards the table with food and drinks.

Diane followed, reaching out her hand to lift a cocktail.

"A woman who relies on a man is nothing more than this lemon..." Squeezing the lemon from the cocktail, she casually tossed it into the trash, "Once it loses its freshness, it’s thrown away."

This young lady, who had never experienced the hardships of the world, did not hide her disdain for Seraphina.

Seraphina picked up a small cake, mimicking Ethan’s posture and tone when he faced Adrian earlier.

"Miss Donovan, despite being the mayor’s daughter, you still pick up men I don’t want."

"You..." Diane was momentarily speechless, "We are truly in love, unlike you and Ethan, who are just a transaction of money and desire."

Seraphina, lacking in experience, turned her face to retaliate.

Her gaze fell on Diane’s face, and she suddenly froze.

The Diane before her was just like she used to be.

Easily deceived by a man’s honeyed words, naive and foolish.

With this thought, Seraphina suddenly felt at ease.

"Then I wish Miss Donovan’s father remains in a high position."

"You..." Diane was surprised by her calm demeanor, "What do you mean?"

"This way, you won’t be another me."

Seraphina peacefully walked to the lounge area, found a sofa, and sat down, taking a bite of cake.

The rich chocolate melted between her lips and teeth, and she closed her eyes in enjoyment, silently giving herself a thumbs up.

Facing Adrian’s new love so candidly.

Seraphina, you’re amazing!

Ethan hurriedly emerged from the smoking room, glancing around.

He noticed Seraphina sitting in the corner, enjoying a piece of cake.

Pausing briefly, he chuckled softly.

It seemed he had underestimated her!

This hothouse flower was striving to grow in her own way.

Weaving through the crowd, he quietly approached her from behind.

Bending down, he reached over, placing both hands on her shoulders from behind the sofa.

"Is it delicious?"

Engrossed in eating the cake, Seraphina hadn’t noticed him.

Surprised by his voice, she turned her head.

"Why are you out so soon?"

"Of course, I was worried Mrs. Sterling might be upset." Ethan’s tone was teasing, "But instead, Mrs. Sterling is here eating cake, without saving me a bite."

Seraphina glanced sheepishly at the empty plate in her hand.

"I’ll get you a piece."

"No need, I have enough with this."

This?

What is this?

Still bewildered, Ethan turned his face, capturing her chocolate-stained lips in a kiss.

Seraphina froze.

This was a banquet; was Ethan crazy?

She instinctively nudged him lightly, but Ethan didn’t relent, pulling her into his craziness.

The kiss was outrageously bold and wild.

Seraphina couldn’t resist at all, her whole body softened by the kiss, collapsing onto the sofa.

A handsome man and a beautiful woman, like protagonists in a movie, romantic to the extreme without being vulgar.

Around them, girls gazed enviously at Seraphina, wishing the female lead were them.

The men envied Ethan.

In Varden’s high society, Seraphina was definitely the epitome of an elegant lady.

After the Thorne Family’s downfall, many men had harbored thoughts about Seraphina.

But knowing her relationship with the Chamberlain Family, no one dared to approach her.

Watching Ethan pluck this enticing flower, the men could only shake their heads and lament their inadequacy.

In all of Jadeston City, only this young devil from the Sterling Family dared to challenge Adrian.

Breathlessly releasing her lips, Ethan gently caressed the girl’s blushing face.

Taking off his coat, he draped it over her, then lifted the still-dazed Seraphina off the sofa.

"Let’s go home!"

Cradling her, he headed for the banquet hall exit, leaning towards her ear.

"The cake tonight was tasty, quite sweet."

Seraphina’s face turned beet red as she pushed him away angrily.

Of course, to outsiders, they didn’t know what was said, naturally imagining some risqué love talk.

Outside the smoking room.

Adrian clenched his fists, his gaze following the pair as his eyes nearly bled with envy.

Ethan cradled Seraphina and walked out of the banquet hall, glancing over at Adrian with a chuckle.

"You’re still laughing?" Seraphina glared at him, "From now on... no more acting up in public."

Ethan withdrew his gaze, escorting her into the elevator.

Bending slightly, he wearily rested his head on her shoulder.

"I missed you!"

The man suddenly blurted out, catching Seraphina off guard as she worriedly checked his face.

"Did you drink too much?"

Having clinked glasses with this person and that, he had indeed drunk quite a bit.

"That little bit of alcohol isn’t the issue," Ethan pinched her cheek, "Wasn’t it you who asked?"

She asked?

Seraphina was stunned for a couple of seconds, then realized.

He was answering the question she had posed when acting in front of Adrian in the restroom.

"Haven’t seen me in a few days, did you miss me?"

"I missed you!"