Chapter 1727:
Disbelief rippled through the crowd like a stone dropped into still water.
Yet, as Harlee locked eyes with Lexus, seeing the quiet desperation beneath his firm expression, she found she couldnât deny him. Not in the end.
âAlright. Iâll take it.â
Her tone was tinged with resignation as she felt the weight of the decision settling on her shoulders.
A wave of relief washed over Lexus. A smileâone of peace, one of contentmentâspread across his face. His heart, once restless, found solace. Now, he could finally deal with that unfilial son without hesitation. No one would be able to take advantage of Ableson again.
Meanwhile, upstairs in the VIP box, Rhys stood near the window, his posture unwavering, his gaze locked onto Harlee. A knowing smile ghosted his lips, warmth pooling in his eyes. Her wealth was growing by the day, and with it, the worldâs perception of him as a man who lived off a womanâs fortune. But he reveled in it. Aside from the select few people he kept in place to shield her, he had already given her everythingâhis wealth, his businesses, even the new company he had established in Uwhor.
Down on the stage, while Lexus basked in joy, the crowd stood frozen, their faces a mix of shock too deep for words. They had witnessed many things in their lifetime, but this? A man having to beg someone to accept an inheritance of this magnitude?
If they hadnât seen it unfold before their very eyes, they would have dismissed it as the stuff of tall tales.
Just as they expected Harlee to make some grand speech, she simply lifted her gaze to Lexus, her expression unreadable.
â± â¶âµáº¸Å⸠â¡á¸¤â³â±â¸ÉⱤŠⱻ gð¶lnovÑlð .ðá´m
âSo⦠are we done with the formalities? Because Iâm starving.â
The crowdâs expressions shifted, a mix of confusion and disbelief flickering across their faces. How could Harlee be thinking about food at a time like this? Was she even normal? Surely, someone with her wealth couldnât possibly lack for food.
What they failed to realize was that Harleeâs love for good food went deeper than mere sustenance. A delicious meal could stir her excitement in a way that money, power, or fameâthings she possessed in overwhelming abundanceânever could. As the saying went, to each their own.
Lexusâ lips curved into a gentle smile, his gaze resting on Harlee tenderly. She hadnât changed one bit. Back in school, when the bell rang, she would dash straight to the cafeteria, unwilling to waste even a second.
When the crowd saw that Lexus wasnât angry but instead smiled fondly, they immediately understood why he would leave his assets to Harlee. She was clearly the apple of his eye, so entrusting everything to her didnât seem so surprising.
After all, Lexus was notoriously known for his bad temper. If that werenât true, he wouldnât have kept only two friends, Edward and Matthew, for decades. Nor would he have issued an ultimatum barring Errol from entering top universities in Uwhor for backing out of a donation.
âThese are famous Mogluylia dishes. Iâm certain you will love them,â Lexus said, his voice soft with indulgence.
Harlee nodded. She held Lexusâ arm to support him as they walked toward the top table.
As they walked past Errolâs table, Errol suddenly rose to his feet, his voice laced with condescension.
âHarlee, I never expected you to know Professor Moreno, let alone that he would leave all his assets to you. You are truly fortunate.â
Errol paused and then turned to Lexus, his tone dripping with overt familiarity.
âSpeaking of which, Professor Moreno, if you are giving everything to Harlee, what about Ableson? Forgive me for being nosy. Iâm just looking out for him. He is such a likable kid, after all.â
Seated just behind him, Edward and Matthew exchanged a look of barely concealed irritation. Was Errol deliberately trying to disgust them?
Just as they were about to defend Harlee, she glanced at them, wordlessly telling them to hold back. She pulled out a chair at the head of the table and settled into it with unruffled ease, crossing one leg over the other in a picture of effortless confidence.
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