Chapter 484

The air in the luxurious hotel suite grew thick with tension as Adrian Blackwood's voice cut through the murmurs. "At Blackwood Group? Is that truly how you see me?" His words dripped with playful charm, yet carried an undercurrent of feigned hurt that made several women clutch their champagne flutes tighter. This was a dance they'd performed countless times before, and Adrian executed it with the effortless grace of a man born to command attention.

Vivian Hartley's lips curved into a knowing smirk as her gaze slid toward Giselle like a dagger finding its mark. "I never made such claims. She came up with that all on her own."

An icy chill swept through the gathering as realization dawned on the assembled guests. Before Vivian's dramatic entrance, many had ingratiated themselves with Giselle by making snide remarks about Vivian. Now, their palms grew clammy as they mentally reviewed every word, praying they hadn't crossed invisible lines. Those who decided they'd stayed within bounds exhaled in relief, edging closer to Adrian as if drawn by magnetic force.

Giselle looked as though she'd been slapped. She collapsed into a chair, her humiliation painting stark lines across her carefully made-up face. But no one spared her a glance - all attention had shifted to the power couple dominating the room.

The class president, ever the opportunist, seized the most expensive champagne bottle on the table - a vintage that retailed for three thousand Sterling but carried a six-thousand-Sterling price tag at the hotel. Just moments ago, it had been the center of admiration, but now, in Adrian's presence, it might as well have been tap water.

A classmate whose family owned a manufacturing plant snapped his fingers at a waiter. "Bring us a bottle of '89 Margaux!" Adrian barely flicked a glance his way. His voice remained casually dismissive as he addressed the server. "Just bring three bottles from my private reserve." His intense gaze never left Vivian, as if the rest of the room had faded into irrelevance.

The factory heir practically vibrated with eagerness. "Yes, absolutely! Whatever Mr. Blackwood prefers!"

The waiter, unfazed by the sycophantic display, nodded professionally before disappearing. When he returned with three unassuming bottles, a wine connoisseur among the guests leaned forward, his eyes widening. "My God... each of these is worth nearly a million Sterling. Extraordinary."

At this revelation, the women abandoned their wistful glances at Adrian, redirecting their envy toward Vivian. Phones appeared like magic, snapping photos of the rare vintages as if capturing unicorns. Even if Adrian remained unattainable, these images would be social media gold - tangible proof they'd brushed against true luxury. Perhaps the right person might notice.

The men weren't far behind, though their motivations leaned more toward networking than social climbing. The class president, sensing an opportunity, poured two glasses from the priceless bottle and approached Adrian with the reverence of a pilgrim approaching a shrine. "Mr. Blackwood, it's an honor beyond words. Thanks to our class beauty here, I have this chance to toast with you. Would you do me the honor?"

Adrian's attention shifted from the offered glass to Vivian. "Darling," he murmured, the endearment sending ripples through the room, "may I have a drink?"

The sudden silence was so complete one could hear a pin drop. Even Dominic Sinclair, normally unflappable, sat up straighter. The cigarette between his fingers burned unnoticed to ash as he struggled to reconcile the Adrian he knew - the man he'd practically worshipped - with this besotted version currently seeking his wife's permission for a drink. It felt like witnessing the laws of physics rewrite themselves.

Audrey Winslow shot a pointed look at Giselle, whose face had frozen into a mask of humiliation, then nudged Vivian with a conspiratorial grin. "Mrs. Blackwood, don't leave our poor class rep hanging! He's been holding that glass so long his arm must be numb. If you don't give the okay, I doubt your husband will even consider that toast."