Chapter 15

His voice was lazy and carried a hint of warmth, like the sunshine on a spring afternoon - not too cold or hot, just comfortably pleasant.
Alison turned around and looked at the unfamiliar man in confusion.
The man took two steps forward and lowered his gaze to look at Alison with shimmering eyes.
"Even if you don't want to be involved romantically, having dinner together is still basic courtesy!" He finished speaking and extended his right hand. "Let me introduce myself. I'm Billy!"
Alison looked at his clearly defined knuckles but didn't shake hands. Instead, she turned around and continued walking forward.
Billy was taken aback and quickly caught up with her. "Hey, did you not understand what I said?"
Alison stopped and looked at him calmly. "I understood perfectly well. Even without your help earlier, I could have handled it myself. Let's leave it here. I need to go to class."
After speaking, Alison walked away without looking back.
Billy stood there staring at her retreating figure for a long time before returning to reality.
A young girl had rejected him! Even if she didn't know who he was or wasn't relying on the Hamilton family's status, he should still be irresistible based on his looks alone! Where did she get such arrogance from that she dared refuse him?
Billy sneered inwardly; he refused to believe this!
...
The next day was Tuesday afternoon when Alison only had one class. She walked out of the school gates seeing many girls gathered together discussing something excitingly nearby while heading towards the bus stop. Suddenly, a girl beside her exclaimed in excitement: "Is that, Billy?"
Alison subconsciously glanced over where everyone was gathering around, only to pause mid-step upon seeing an open-top Rolls-Royce Phantom parked outside the school gates with the back seat filled with bright red roses, which was particularly eye-catching. The man sitting in the car was even more attention-grabbing - white shirt, fitted vest, gold-rimmed glasses, and exquisite features that made him look like a prince.
Billy had become increasingly famous in New York over the past two years. The Hamilton family was already a well-known wealthy family in New York City, and Billy was their only heir. However, he wasn't famous for his business acumen but because of his never-ending scandals with female celebrities. Handsome yet fickle-minded; lavish spender yet shrewd businessman - these were some of the labels given to him by people in New York.
At this moment, Prince Charming stepped out of his car, holding a red rose, and walked towards Alison.
The girls around them screamed while all eyes focused on Alison's face - some envious while others admired her luck.
Across the street parked a Bentley where John looked outside through its window before saying: "Isn't that Miss Grey?"
Alexander sat at the backseat reading documents when he heard John's words but didn't immediately react to who "Miss Grey" referred to until he raised his head absentmindedly and saw it was Alison. His deep gaze fell upon her surprised face.
Emily's driver had something come up suddenly, so Alexander and John happened to be passing by Columbia University when they decided to pick her up from school. They hadn't expected to see someone confessing their love to Alison here, though.
John explained aloud: "Billy grew up abroad since childhood; you left for overseas just as he returned home. He joined Hamilton Group over these two years and has done quite well there too! By the way, we're competing against one of Billy's projects."
Alexander nodded lightly without any change in expression as he watched Billy approach Alison step by step.
Alison did feel somewhat surprised; it wasn't strange for Billy to know she was a student at Columbia University, but he had come prepared and waited here today. This meant that he knew which department and class she belonged to. What did he want? This kind of person, she didn't believe that he would fall in love with her at first sight. She watched as Billy approached, her expression unchanged, her clear eyes showing no surprise or deliberate coldness, only quiet alertness that was hard to detect.
Billy stopped in front of her, with gasps and sighs all around them. He smiled gently with watery eyes and said to Alison in a low voice, "Maybe you don't believe it, but I fell for you at first sight. You wouldn't let me take you out for dinner yesterday, so how about today? Please give me face."
Alison heard someone whispering in the crowd of girls nearby: "My heart is not going to beat anymore!" She looked at the flowers that Billy held up to her and shook her head lightly: "I'm sorry, I have something else to do."
Billy seemed surprised but smiled softly: "It's just dinner; it doesn't mean anything about your attitude toward me. Even if it's just to comfort me because I couldn't sleep last night thinking about you."
There were screams all around them again. The scene was like one from a TV drama where the handsome man had both looks and money while being deeply affectionate towards the girl - making all the girls watch excitedly beyond measure.
Alison felt annoyed when she noticed someone taking pictures of them. Her face remained calm, but she spoke firmly: "I'm sorry." She took a step forward, intending to leave, when Billy stepped forward too and grabbed her arm subconsciously. Alison immediately stepped back with an abrupt look on her face as she stared at him sharply - no longer indifferent but rather sharp-edged now.
Billy frowned slightly upon seeing this change in Alison's demeanor - wary and irritated instead of playing hard-to-get. He pursed his lips before stepping back, saying: "Alright then! If we don't eat, take these flowers at least." He pointed to the car behind him that was filled with flowers.
Alison's tone remained cold: "I don't want them."
Billy's eyes narrowed as he spoke teasingly: "So you want us to keep standing here and be watched like some kind of show?"
He could tell that Alison didn't like being watched by others.
Alison took a deep breath before asking: "Do I have to accept them?"
Billy persisted with an intense gaze and jokingly said: "Yes, if you don't take them, I won't let you leave!"
In the Bentley car, John frowned and said: "It seems Billy is making things difficult for Miss Grey."
Alexander also noticed this. A dark color flashed through his long eyes as he put his hand on the door handle, ready to get out of the car. But then he saw Alison suddenly turn around and walk towards Billy's sports car.
He didn't move anymore. He wanted to see what she would do next.
Billy was also watching her closely. With so many flowers there, Alison couldn't possibly carry all of them alone - eventually, she would have no choice but to sit in his car and go with him. He told Selina it would only take three days - it seemed they wouldn't even need that much time!