Chapter 8---I'm in Love
1134 Words
Alice met Raymond Landry's gaze.
Their eyes locked.
Perhaps just for a second.
Both looked away simultaneously.
"Still not trading?" Raymond snapped at the host.
The host, who had been distracted by the spectacle, quickly snapped back. "Thirty million for the first time!"
"Thirty million for the second time!"
"Thirty million for the third time!"
"Sold! Congratulations to Mr. Raymond Landry!"
Applause filled the hall.
Under everyone's watchful eyes, Raymond walked onto the stage and retrieved the gemstone.
The jewel was housed in an exquisite glass case, its blue glow dazzling under the lights, drawing countless admiring glances.
Then, to everyone's surprise, Raymond approached Zachary Hawkins and Alice.
Zachary's brow furrowed.
He probably assumed Raymond was here to flaunt his victory.
But instead, Raymond handed the gemstone directly to Alice. "For you."
The entire room was stunned.
They'd all heard that Raymond Landry was reckless and unpredictable, but now they were finally witnessing it firsthand.
Alice stared at Raymond.
"You like it, don't you?" Raymond asked.
His tone carried a subtle, unspoken intimacy.
Alice felt an inexplicable flutter in her chest.
"Alice wouldn't—" Zachary began, but didn't finish.
Raymond simply shoved the jewelry box into Alice's hands.
She took it.
She accepted it—without refusal.
Zachary stared at her in disbelief.
Alice said, "Since Mr. Raymond Landry insists, I suppose I must graciously accept."
Raymond clearly smiled.
That devilish smile could charm any woman.
His eyes flicked toward Zachary. "Now that's what I call a true gentleman—not stealing what another desires."
A direct jab at Zachary's earlier pretentious words.
Zachary's face darkened.
"Let's go," Raymond said to Zachary.
But at that moment, Alice felt the words were meant for her.
She watched his elegant, retreating figure.
Admittedly, Raymond had been a bit audacious tonight, yet undeniably commanding.
Was this how he won over women?
"When did Raymond Landry become this handsome?" Natalie Finley, never one to hold back, blurted out what she was feeling.
As soon as the words left her mouth,
Zachary's expression soured even further.
Alice couldn't help but smile faintly.
Zachary always prided himself on being different from other wealthy heirs—aloof, self-righteous, looking down on others.
The outside world praised Zachary as Nyxaria's once-in-a-thousand-years prodigy—perfect in heritage, intellect, and ability, so flawless it made people question if God had played favorites.
Later, Alice would learn that these so-called qualities were carefully constructed by the Hawkins family. From childhood, they had cultivated his image, paving a path of ambition beneath a golden halo. And Zachary had believed every word, truly thinking himself superior.
Now, being so publicly humiliated by Raymond, of course he was furious.
Natalie seemed to realize she'd spoken at the wrong moment.
She stuck out her tongue. "Alice, it's late. I'll head home first."
Alice nodded. "Be careful on your way."
"Okay."
Natalie left.
The charity gala wound down, and guests began to depart.
Zachary swallowed his pride and drove Alice home.
Inside the car,
Alice remained silent, her gaze drifting idly toward the blue gemstone.
Zachary said nothing either, clearly still fuming.
He could already imagine how the media would portray him tomorrow.
The more he thought, the angrier he became. He turned to Alice, his tone sharp. "How could you accept his gift!"
He must have held back the words "aren't you humiliating me?"
Alice said, "My mother's birthday is coming up. She loves this blue gem. I plan to give it to her."
"Even so—"
"I originally intended to bid for it myself," Alice interrupted. "You stopped me."
Zachary was suddenly rendered speechless.
He'd assumed Alice expected him to pay.
Alice said calmly, "I told my father I wanted to buy this gem for my mom as a surprise. He agreed and didn't set a spending limit."
Zachary felt awkward.
After a long pause, he muttered, "I just… I just didn't want you to be taken advantage of by that reckless spendthrift, Raymond. That's why I stopped you."
Alice didn't expose his lie.
She said, "Since Raymond doesn't value it, accepting it isn't inappropriate."
"That wastrel's gift—"
"Zachary, you never used to insult people. Why have you changed?" Alice asked innocently.
Zachary froze.
"You've called Raymond a wastrel all night. It makes you seem like a stranger. I thought you'd never say such things," Alice said, sounding disappointed.
Zachary hurried to explain, "I'm only angry because he deliberately targeted me tonight. If you dislike it, I'll stop saying it, okay?"
Alice nodded.
Zachary's pent-up fury, stirred by Alice's few words, had to be forcibly suppressed.
Alice inwardly sneered.
Want to play the hypocrite?
Fine. She'd make him play that role for life.
...
Zachary drove Alice back to Casey Villa.
As Alice stepped out of the car,
"Ms. Casey!" That sudden voice startled her nearly out of her wits.
She glared at the man leaning casually against the wall under the streetlight, arms crossed.
"Do you always appear out of nowhere?" Alice snapped.
"Aren't secret affairs supposed to be this stealthy?" he replied.
"Who's sneaking around with you!" Alice felt all her manners slipping away with this man.
"I thought when you told me to crash your wedding, you were after my body."
"... Can I just hit you with a bat?"
"Fine. Then give me back my card," Raymond abruptly changed the subject.
Alice took a deep breath, forcing herself to stay calm. "Wait a moment."
Raymond gave a slight nod.
Alice went inside, retrieved the card, and returned it to Raymond.
Raymond took the card and turned to leave.
Alice called after him, "I'll transfer the money for the blue gem later."
"No need," Raymond said. "I've already made my grand gesture. I'm not petty about a little cash."
Aren't you embarrassed saying that?
If you're not short on money, why chase me for a card?
"Good night, Ms. Casey." Raymond climbed into his flashy red sports car and drove off with flair.
For some reason,
there was always… always this sense that Raymond was completely different from how he appeared.
Was it a delusion?
No.
Raymond was simply deeply inscrutable.
And this enigmatic man, as he drove, playfully spun the card between his fingers, his expression unreadable as always.
His eyes flickered. He activated the Bluetooth. "Jason Scott."
"Nathan Jensen has returned to the country."
"Mm." Raymond acknowledged.
He knew.
"Heard you dropped thirty million just to make a beauty smile?" Jason couldn't resist gossiping.
Raymond's lips curved slightly. "Yeah. I'm in love."
"..." Jason froze.
He felt like he'd just heard the biggest joke of his life.
The man who never touched women was now flamboyantly telling him he was in love.
As if... as if he even knew what love was.
Damn. Who's getting fed dog food here?
- Writer
