Immediately after, someone bumped into Poe Vaughn. Poe Vaughn stopped in his tracks, looking down at the person who had collided with him. Aria Rhodes’ hair was slightly disheveled, her cheeks pale, looking much like a bullied kitten or puppy, pitiful indeed. As she bumped into Poe Vaughn, she instantly grabbed onto Poe Vaughn’s sleeve, leaning against him trembling. Poe Vaughn did not move. He watched Aria Rhodes’ trembling eyelashes, the panic and helplessness flickering in her eyes, along with a hint of careful unease and testing. He lifted his gaze, his sight landing on the faces of the young girls coming out from the women’s restroom. The group of girls was very arrogant, akin to delinquent girls bullying obedient students, full of conceit. But this arrogance and defiance instantly vanished upon seeing Poe Vaughn. Especially as he looked over, each of them immediately lowered their heads, no longer daring to act up. Aria Rhodes felt the oppressive gaze no longer on her, cautiously raised her head to look at Poe Vaughn, seeing him observing the group of girls. He said nothing, his gaze remaining deep and unchanged, yet it instilled fear with just one look. She, too, should have been scared. But at this moment she was not frightened at all, even feeling joy; he cared about her. Her heart stirred slightly, Aria Rhodes leaned even closer to Poe Vaughn, softly murmuring, "Brother..." This call was soft and weak, extremely pitiful. Generally, upon hearing such a call, a man’s heart might melt, but Poe Vaughn remained unmoved, even his expression unchanged. On closer inspection, one would notice his eyes had darkened. This was not an emotional shift between a man and a woman, but displeasure. The girls, upon hearing Aria Rhodes’ call, exchanged glances before hastily gathering their skirts and running away. Poe Vaughn watched these panic-stricken girls run off, then spoke, "Just this once." Listening to the sounds of the girls running away, Aria Rhodes felt her joy increase, just about to speak. But as she opened her mouth, a cold voice fell into her ears, and she froze. After speaking, Poe Vaughn withdrew his sleeve, turned aside, and stepped away. Aria Rhodes suddenly found herself leaning into emptiness, stunned, forgetting to react. She stood there as the steady footsteps receded, eventually inaudible, her heart beginning to tremble, the color draining from her face. He... figured it out... Poe Vaughn exited the banquet hall, removed his suit jacket, handing it to a waiter, "Throw it away." With just those two indifferent words, Poe Vaughn left before the waiter could react. The car was parked outside the castle, the driver stepping out to open the door. Poe Vaughn got in, taking out a sanitizing wipe to clean his hands, wiping down his phone as well before finally picking it up to text Ava Sterling back. Ethan Ainsworth watched Poe Vaughn as he came out, even more so watching as he handed his suit to the waiter and left. For more chapters visit novel✶fire.net His eyes widened, loudly exclaiming, "Who touched him!" Poe Vaughn had a severe case of germophobia. This germophobia meant he disliked anyone touching him. Vincent Donovan also paused a moment, then looked ahead to see Aria Rhodes emerging lost and aimless, staring in the direction Poe Vaughn had disappeared, her face alarmingly pale. Vincent Donovan said, "It’s Aria Rhodes." Ethan Ainsworth immediately looked at Vincent Donovan, seeing him gaze in a certain direction; he looked too, seeing Aria Rhodes looking as if she had lost her soul. Ethan Ainsworth instantly shook his head, wearing a regretful expression, "He’s very partial; to those he doesn’t care about, he’s always ruthless." "Aria Rhodes, that sister, in his eyes, isn’t worth more than a stranger." This last remark was simply enjoying the spectacle, making Vincent Donovan reluctant to speak further. He looked in the direction the man had left, then at Aria Rhodes, his brow furrowing.