Hayden Crawford arrived, standing tall in the corridor ahead, one hand casually in his pocket. The champagne-colored lights of the corridor cast a glow on his handsome, chiseled face. From head to toe, the man in a black shirt and black pants was nothing short of exquisite, irresistibly charming. Ronda called out twice. Serena Sterling didn’t expect to encounter him unexpectedly at Emperor’s Bar; she was taken aback, frozen in place. Hayden Crawford was looking for Ronda. Normally, Ronda was quite clingy, never leaving his side. Whenever a girl appeared beside him, Ronda would meow fiercely as if declaring its territory, even though Hayden had no idea what kind of territory a cat could be declaring. Today, Ronda suddenly disappeared. When he found her, she was being held by a delicate girl in the corridor ahead, her little head bowed, seemingly joyful as she spoke with Ronda. Her side profile was sweetly charming. Ronda, who always held an inexplicable hostility towards all girls, was now docile and gentle, nestling softly in the girl’s arms. As her small hand caressed through Ronda’s soft white fur, Ronda closed its eyes in comfort. Thɪs chapter is updatᴇd by NoveIꜰire.net Ronda meowed twice at Hayden Crawford, as if to say, "Look, your Mrs. Crawford is here! You’ll never be able to go out freely again!" Hayden Crawford stepped forward, coming to a halt before Serena Sterling. He had seen her in the car after school earlier, but now, up close, her skin looked flawless, her bright eyes shimmering like stars, gazing at him with a captivating glance. Unfortunately, she was wearing a veil, concealing her true appearance. "This is my cat," Hayden Crawford spoke in a deep voice. "Oh," Serena Sterling’s long lashes fluttered slightly, suppressing the tumult in her heart, and handed Ronda back to him. "It followed me just now, so I held it for a bit. Here, you can have it back." Hayden Crawford looked at her and reached out to take the cat. Ronda didn’t want to go with Hayden Crawford, its little paws flailing wildly, grabbing Serena Sterling’s long hair, pulling it forcefully. Serena Sterling exclaimed softly, her delicate body pitching forward. In the next moment, she stumbled into Hayden Crawford’s warm, firm chest. Their bodies pressed together instantly, his fresh, pleasant masculine scent rapidly engulfing her senses. Serena Sterling lifted her bright eyes, looking at him in a panic. Hayden Crawford hadn’t anticipated this turn of events either. Now her delicate, boneless form was clinging to his chest, her small face lifting up, her clear eyes looking at him, darting about like a startled deer. Hayden Crawford felt as though his heart had been gently scratched by a small cat’s paw, both painful and titillating. This girl bears a resemblance to the little Ronda in his arms. "Are you okay?" Hayden Crawford asked in a low voice. Serena Sterling shook her head, "I’m fine, sorry..." "Then let go of your hands first." Serena Sterling then realized that amidst her earlier panic, her little hands had tightly grasped the black shirt at his waist. Now her soft white fingers could feel the taut muscles beneath the expensive shirt material, hard and solid, full of masculine strength. Her fingertips felt as if they were scorched, a blush creeping across her snow-white earlobes. She released her grip and quickly took two steps back. Today, Serena Sterling had tied her hair into a low ponytail with a butterfly hair tie. As she retreated, her hair tie caught, and her glossy black hair cascaded down like a waterfall, tracing a shimmering arc in the air. At this moment, a sultry voice sounded behind her, "Serena." Serena Sterling turned around. Leah Thorne had arrived. Today, Leah Thorne wore a loose black T-shirt dress, the hem falling just above her knees. Her alluring curve and soft, seductive aura made even a loose black shirt look sophisticated. Her seaweed-like hair flowed freely, her bright red lips and white teeth lending her face an alluring charm, like a newly blossomed red rose. "Serena, come over here." Serena Sterling quickly walked over. "Leah, you’re here?" Leah Thorne pulled Serena Sterling to her side, then cast a glance at Hayden Crawford with her willow-leaf brows, "Mr. Crawford, this is my close friend. She hasn’t offended you, has she?" Hayden Crawford glanced at Serena Sterling, "No." "That’s good, Serena, this is Mr. Crawford, a business magnate of Aethelgard. You’ll want to steer clear of him in the future; if you offend Mr. Crawford, we won’t be able to survive in Aethelgard." Leah Thorne casually smiled as her red lips curled. Serena Sterling nodded, "Got it." "Then Mr. Crawford, we’ll be on our way." Leah Thorne took Serena Sterling’s hand and led her away. Neither of them looked back at him as they chatted, "Serena, did you call off the engagement with James Sawyer?" "Best to break it off early. A girl like you is sought after everywhere, and there are plenty of good men. Take your time choosing." Hayden Crawford couldn’t hear their conversation anymore. They walked over to a bar, ordered two cocktails—one pure and delicate, the other vibrant and radiant like a summer rose. As soon as they sat down, they quickly drew everyone’s attention. At this moment, a waiter approached with two cocktails, "Ladies, these cocktails are from the gentleman over there." Someone couldn’t wait to send drinks their way. Hayden Crawford didn’t leave, but stood there watching. Then Justin Xavier’s low, mellow voice reached him, "What, you fancy her?" Hayden Crawford glanced over; Justin Xavier had come out now, lazily leaning against a corner wall watching him. Hayden Crawford furrowed his bold brows, "What’s going on with you and Leah Thorne? Her words are targeted at me, implying she’s blaming me for your mistakes?" "Don’t pin this on me, I won’t take the fall for you. Leah Thorne just has issues with you. She’s hardly talked to me lately, and when she does, it’s about you. Because of you, I’m not exactly faring well either." Justin Xavier cast Hayden Crawford a glance, implying Hayden was the one dragging him down. Hayden Crawford had no idea how he’d offended Leah Thorne. Leah was like a rose with thorns. His deep-set eyes returned to Serena Sterling’s delicate form, "Is she friends with Leah Thorne?" Justin Xavier’s clear black eyes rested on Serena Sterling for a moment, circling around her. Even when strangers, Hayden Crawford’s gaze was instantly drawn to her. "Yes, I hear she’s the youngest daughter of the Sterling family, which should be correct. She went missing as a child and has been living in the countryside in Bayside ever since." Justin Xavier said indifferently. Hayden Crawford didn’t say anything. His handsome features were shrouded in dim light, obscuring them. "You enjoy yourself; I’m leaving." Hayden Crawford carried Ronda and left.