CHAPTER 19: CHAPTER 19: WHO IS SHE, REALLY?

Listen, when Lachlan Wyatt says this, his tone even carries a laugh.

He genuinely believes that women only need looks, no need for intelligence.

But the woman next to him is an exception.

Iris Crawford sat in the passenger seat, held her chin high, and ignored Lachlan’s teasing. She just clenched her fingers, turned to Lachlan, "You’re going out tonight, why didn’t you tell me?"

"Do I need to report my schedule to you?"

While driving, Lachlan reached out to tousle Iris’s hair like petting a dog, then laughed, "But if you’re free, come with me."

He always makes decisions on his own, never asking if Iris is willing.

Autocratic and arbitrary—typical traits of powerful men like him.

Iris leisurely propped her chin with her hand, her bright red nails like blood, she said, "Why did you think of bringing me?"

"They’re all acquaintances of yours."

The emotions in Lachlan’s eyes confused Iris; not many people knew she was still alive, apart from those in the organization. Only Lois Lawson was aware.

So even if Iris goes, the group of old friends in the circle wouldn’t recognize her as that woman who loved Jordan Jacobs to death.

They barely paid attention to Iris’s matters in the past, their impression of her remained as "Orion Crawford’s precious sister, yet weak and incapable"—a rather plain image.

Why does Lachlan want to show her in front of them now?

Taking a light breath, Iris didn’t resist, just hummed a response. Lachlan turned his head slightly, glancing at her, his gaze falling on her elegant nose.

Iris’s transformation now is no less than cosmetic surgery. She used to gain weight from hormones, her features cramped together, but two years later she slimmed down, with fox-like eyes, cherry lips, fair skin, and beautiful looks—she’s a top-tier beauty.

Jordan Jacobs, do you regret it?

Lachlan curved his lips, in a good mood, stepped on the accelerator, and drove with Iris and Hector Sutton towards their evening destination.

******

Twenty minutes later, Lachlan parked his car in front of an entertainment venue. Compared to the sports cars outside, his large tank-like vehicle attracted even more attention; the people walking out of the venue couldn’t help but turn their heads to see who stepped out of the car.

The first to step down was a beautiful woman in high heels, her black hair styled in sexy, youthful waves. Her clothes weren’t revealing, but her impressive figure brought its own glamorous aura.

When Iris got out from the passenger seat, Hector Sutton followed from the back, noticing the surrounding men’s gazes at Iris. He sneered.

Look at these men, their eyes glued to Iris.

So superficial and uninteresting.

Lachlan parked the car, then led them inside. Navigating through the noisy crowd, they reached an exclusive VIP room, clearly not accessible to just anyone. As Iris pushed the door open and entered, she lowered her head with a smile.

Compared to the mixed crowd outside, everyone sitting here had the fame and fortune of second-generation heirs.

"Isn’t this Lachlan?"

"Late, are you?"

Someone laughed and waved at Lachlan, "Why didn’t you call us when you returned home? Am I the last one to know?"

Apparently, it’s a welcome-home party for Lachlan.

Iris naturally found a corner to sit quietly, intending to stay silent. Hector Sutton and Lachlan had already settled in the center of the sofa, leaving the neglected Iris alone, while they indulged in idle chatter with a group of shady friends.

Iris glanced at the people around them, thinking, people of the same feather flock together; sure enough, all the jerks are hanging out together.

They all look handsome and charming, but really? Iris sat in the corner, poured herself a drink, and with slender fingers holding the glass, tilted her head slightly, slowly swallowing the pale golden liquid.

At that moment, a man entered from the outside, with chestnut hair and a USB necklace around his neck. Upon seeing Iris, the man paused, then smiled and walked straight toward her, parting the crowd, "Birdie!"

Iris looked up and smiled back, "Chestnut?"

James Chesterton is a genius network engineer with a decent family background, always hangs out with Lachlan, probably invited here too. By calling Iris "Birdie," he grabbed everyone’s attention, and soon all the men and women in the room were gazing at the solitary, drinking beauty in the corner.

Lonely, yet noble and sexy.

As James approached, a woman beside him greeted him with an outstretched hand, but he ignored her, walking straight to Iris’s side, clinking glasses with her, and said, "Lachlan brought you here?"

"Yes." Iris tilted her head glancing at Lachlan, noticing he was staring at her as well, eyes slightly narrowed.

The woman Lachlan brought actually knows James Chesterton? People immediately found it interesting and imitated James’s tone calling Iris "Birdie," "Miss Birdie, what’s your story?"

"Knowing James Chesterton, could she be a socialite?"

"Don’t underestimate the young lady, she came in and sat quietly drinking, clearly low-key."

Hector Sutton intentionally taunted, "Dane Rivers, Jeremy Carter, this woman told me her brother is Orion Crawford."

The room burst in laughter, with a hostess chiming in, "You’re kidding, even daring to invoke Orion Crawford’s wealthy name!"

Dane Rivers stood up, walked to Iris, examined her closely, then said, "Come on, do you think we don’t know Orion Crawford?"

Iris stayed silent, just holding her glass, watching him.

Interesting. Dane extracted her glass and drank all her wine in front of her, then handed it back, "If you want to catch our attention, you don’t need to use this tactic. Saying you’re Orion Crawford’s sister, would Orion recognize you?"

James Chesterton, honest and sincere, said, "What are you talking about? She really is."

The organization people all knew, Lachlan knew too.

James’s naive, innocent demeanor made Hector Sutton laugh, shaking his head, "Hey, Chestnut, did this woman fool you into love?"

"Nonsense." James moved closer to Iris, "I’m so smart; who can fool my feelings? Why don’t you believe it, Birdie is indeed Orion Crawford’s sister..."

Jeremy Carter sat by Lachlan, observing Iris’s expression, "We’ve seen it all, women wanting to know us, all claiming to be familiar with someone, thinking they can sneak into our circle."

Iris helplessly rubbed her forehead; Lachlan had vouched for her, and now James too, but these playboys wouldn’t listen, what can be done?

"How about calling Orion Crawford now, let him come recognize you here?"

"Forget it, this chick is just showing off. If we expose her, it’d be humiliating for her."