Chapter 19
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Narissa instantly thought, it’s him. It really is Bastien. What a small world–we have crossed paths again.”
Her gaze darkened. Bastien wasn’t the kind of man who liked parties. Especially after returning to the Everton family, Narissa had specifically looked into him.
The intel was clear–Bastien rarely showed up at any events in Sinney City.
Narissa wasn’t foolish enough to think a mere second daughter of the Everton family could attract the attention of someone
like him.
Narissa thought. There has to be only one reason he comes all this way. He suspects me.
‘And honestly, it makes sense. The timing of Fox’s return to Rothialand and my own return to the Everton family overlasps too perfectly. With how sharp Bastien is, there is no way he doesn’t notice.
Narissa narrowed her eyes. Still, even so, as Fox, she wasn’t someone who could be easily cornered.
Bastien wants to catch me? He doesn’t have what it takes, Narissa muttered.
While she was deep in thought, Bastien, in his combat boots, had already walked up to the crowd.
Tonight, Bastien traded his usual military uniform for a tailored suit.
But the boots on his feet gave him away–it was clearly a last–minute wardrobe change. No one had been informed of his arrival.
Still, even out of uniform, Bastien’s powerful build and commanding presence were overwhelming enough to make everyone around him hold their breath.
No one dared offend the most mysterious figure in Sinney City’s elite circles.
The Harlow family might keep a low profile, but their reach spanned the globe. To them, crushing a family was as easy as stepping on an ant.
No one present had the guts to cross that line.
Besides, Bastien wasn’t just a Harlow. He was the youngest War God in Rothialand’s history and was recognized worldwide as the most formidable of them all.
Within the Harlow family, his influence was unmatched. Handsome, mysterious, and intimidating–every Sinney City heiress had secretly dreamed of him.
But even if their hearts burned with longing, none of them dared approach.
The reason was simple: the Harlows‘ power. They couldn’t afford to. And their families warned them again and again–don’t provoke Bastien. Not under any circumstances.
Which was why Dario, the only one in the room with any real connection to the Harlow family, suddenly felt on top of the world–puffed up with pride and excitement.
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Chapter 19
To be honest, Dario’s relationship with the Harlows wasn’t anything deep. They’d shared a few private dealings, and the Harlows owed him a small favor.
Dario had sent the invitation to the Harlow family more out of courtesy than expected. He never actually thought they’d
come.
Yet here they were. And not just anyone from the family–Bastien himself, the War God.
Everyone knew how high Bastien ranked in the Harlow family. Even the old men in the family would give way to him.
No one could command his presence–if Bastien showed up, it was because he wanted to.
So his arrival today meant only one thing: the Harlow family were giving the Everton family immense respect.
No wonder Dario was so overwhelmed with emotion.
While these thoughts ran through Dario’s mind, Bastien, flanked by a few men, approached him and Narissa’s parents.
As a gesture of courtesy, Bastien gave Dario a slight nod.
Dario quickly stepped forward. “Mr. Harlow, having you here at our family’s reunion banquet is such an unexpected honor. You’ve truly graced us.”
Dario still believed it was his personal connections that had brought Bastien here.
Bastien gave a polite but distant nod. He didn’t explain and simply let Dario believe what he wanted.
Only Narissa, who knew the real reason, quietly lowered her hand and brushed it against the military–grade dagger strapped to her outer thigh, hidden beneath her dress.
Tonight, as the star of the reunion banquet, Narissa wasn’t getting away without a direct confrontation with Bastien.
Suddenly, every nerve in Narissa’s body went on high alert. Bastien was looking at her..
Bastien’s gaze landed on her naturally, as if it was the most normal thing in the world.
But then it lingered–far too long. So long that everyone around them seemed to forget how to breathe.
Even the men who came with him looked shocked. Bastien had never been someone who acted out of line, and he had never stared at any woman for more than a minute.
Yet tonight, it was as if his eyes were welded to this newly acknowledged second daughter of the Evertons.
Bastien’s men wondered, ‘What’s going on? Is this real? Has Mr. Harlow fallen in love at first sight?‘
“Sweetheart, doesn’t he look kind of familiar to you?” Amanda leaned in and nudged Hector with her elbow.
Though the Evertons had some ties to the Harlows, it was always Dario handling those affairs.
Amanda and Hector had rarely seen anyone from that family, let alone Bastien Harlow himself.
Hector nodded. ‘Yeah, he does look familiar, he whispered. ‘Maybe we’ve seen him somewhere recently?”
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Chapter 19
But no matter how hard he tried, Hector couldn’t recall where.
While the couple studied Bastien, he casually scanned them in return. Their faces didn’t ring a bell.
Truth was, during the visit to Waylen Auction House, Bastien hadn’t seen what Narissa’s parents looked like, so naturally, he didn’t recognize them now.
As for Narissa–though this was supposedly their “first” meeting–something about her pulled at Bastien, made it impossible to look away.
“Mr. Harlow, do you… know our daughter?” Hector finally broke the silence, unable to hold back after that intense gaze.
“No,” Bastien said calmly. His eyes never once left Narissa, but his tone was firm.
After Bastian replied, the tension in the room lifted a little.
Everyone had been holding their breath, thinking Bastien actually knew this second daughter who just brought home.
Even Narissa felt a subtle wave of relief. She still didn’t know how deep Bastien’s investigation had gone–was it solid proof or just suspicion?
Based on his response, it seemed like mere doubt. No evidence yet.
But across from her, Bastien hadn’t looked away. He truly didn’t recognize Narissa’s face.
Yet deep down, Bastien couldn’t ignore how much this girl’s figure resembled that Fox burned into his memory.
The thing was, Fox had always dressed plainly, whether in disguise or on a mission. A proud, cold fox.
But this girl wore soft pink, sweet and innocent–so different that Bastien couldn’t bring himself to believe they were the
same person.
Bastien’s eyes darkened. Narissa knew exactly what that meant–he hadn’t seen through her. The corner of her lips curled just slightly.
“Congratulations on finding your daughter after so many years.” Bastien suddenly spoke. “Though I’m curious–where did you find her?”
The moment he said that, Narissa felt her blood freeze.
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