Chapter 218
"Richard had already marked her presence, his curiosity piqued. As his gaze rested on Cassie, he found himself surprised by the striking beauty standing before him. In the bustling city of New York, she was an unexpected gem.
""Miss Brooks, what a pleasure it is to meet you.""
A knowing smirk tugged at the corners of his lips as he extended both hands in greeting. Cassie, too, was taken aback to find Olivia in the company of someone from the influential Hernandez family.
Richard was not a man she could afford to offend. Despite her reluctance, she forced a polite smile and extended her hand in return.
To her surprise, Richard's pinky began to twirl around her palm in a playful, intimate gesture. The sudden closeness caught her off guard, and she quickly withdrew her hand. But Richard held on, his grip firm.
""When do you plan on releasing my hand, Miss Brooks?"" His tone was teasing, almost accusatory.
Olivia gasped, covering her mouth in shock. ""Cassie, what are you doing?""
Reporters lining the edges of the red carpet began snapping photos, buzzing with excitement over the potential scandal. The Brooks sisters, vying for the affections of a Hernandez heir, made for a juicy story.
""I'd really love to know what I’ve done,"" Cassie retorted, her tone poised and assertive. “Surely you don’t think I, as a key holder at Peace Group, would shamelessly flirt in public with someone’s boyfriend. Oh, I guess he's not your boyfriend, is he? I heard Andrew is.”
The reporters erupted into a frenzy of whispers and speculation.
""No way, Olivia's boyfriend is Andrew? Why is she here with Richard then?""
""Could it be she saw Richard and is planning to ditch Andrew?""
""Remember when she was Arthur Lewis's fiancée? She dumped him as soon as he hit a rough patch.""
""I can’t believe Richard is interested in that kind of woman.""
The negative press caught Olivia off guard, her face paling in shock. Richard too hadn't anticipated being dragged into the scandal.
Cassie finally managed to free her hand from Richard's grip, shaking her arm in discomfort. ""Mr. Hernandez, you've really hurt my hand.""
The reporters could clearly see the reddening of her skin. As their gazes turned back to Richard, they were filled with disdain—a reaction he had not expected, especially from someone of the Hernandez lineage.
Richard felt a surge of irritation, his pride wounded by the public humiliation. But he managed a low chuckle, hiding his annoyance behind a mask of indifference.
""I apologize for my presumption,"" he said.
As he walked past Cassie, he leaned in, his voice barely above a whisper. ""Cassie, you're on my radar now.""
With that, he strode into the hotel, followed closely by Olivia.
Watching Richard's retreating figure, Cassie couldn't shake off the feeling that she had just become the target of a dangerous predator. An ominous premonition settled in her heart.
Inside the elevator, Richard's face was a picture of cold indifference.
Olivia glanced at him, sighing, ""Mr. Hernandez, please don't mind her. My sister thinks she's above the law because she's the chairman's pet.""
""A chairman of a real estate company? Please."" Richard's anger simmered beneath his calm facade.
""Of course, she's nothing compared to Mr. Hernandez. Maybe it's because she's got a boyfriend now. She's utterly devoted to him,"" Olivia added, trying to pique his interest.
Her words seemed to have the desired effect, igniting a spark of interest in Richard's eyes.
He had always been attracted to women who were already taken; there was a thrill in claiming another man's prize. And Cassie, with her fiery spirit and sharp wit, was far more appealing than Olivia.
Observing his piqued interest, Olivia smiled, ""If Mr. Hernandez desires, I can deliver her to your bed.""
""You're quite the bad girl,"" Richard remarked, his gaze frosty.
""I just want to see you happy, Mr. Hernandez. Don't you wish to teach her a lesson?"" Olivia's voice was a seductive purr.
Richard raised an eyebrow, lit a cigarette, and replied with a wicked grin, ""Those who oppose me always end up in a sorry state.""
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