Chapter 39 Darlene had just taken a few steps back when Adrian's gaze fell upon her , as if he could see right through her intention to escape . He smiled faintly . That look seemed to say : Where do you think you can run ? After all , the events in the book had not yet unfolded . If Darlene acted too eager to flee , it would only draw unnecessary attention . Her fingers tightened involuntarily as she looked at Adrian and said , " You broke the rules , you lost . " Adrian clicked his tongue . So she really was a competitive little kitten , caring more about winning or losing than about being teased by him . " Alright , I lost . " He was straightforward , his peach blossom eyes shimmering . " How about I offer myself as the prize to you ? " Only then did Darlene notice the extremely delicate white silk scarf tied around the man's neck . Hidden beneath his fencing clothes , it wasn't very obvious , but it set off his pale face and alluring features , like a beautiful bow on a finely wrapped gift box . Adrian smiled , " Do you want me ? " Darlene turned her head away , avoiding his gaze , her refusal unmistakable . Adrian's eyes lingered over the girl , drifting from her swan - like slender neck to her gently rising chest . He licked his lips and laughed even more , " Not bad . " Lucian shifted slightly to block his view . " With so many women outside for you to look at , why do you have to stare at mine ? " " I didn't expect you to be so protective . " Adrian mocked , " Aren't you afraid she doesn't like you ? " Lucian's expression grew even darker . Women were always coming and going around these men ; whenever they saw a beautiful one , they couldn't wait to claim her . Adrian was notorious in their circle as a playboy - never short of money , and certainly never short of women . Men like him , who drifted among flowers , loved to fix their gaze on pretty girls , like hunters who never failed to catch their prey . It was at this moment that Bernice , holding her friend's arm , hurriedly took the chance to slip away . " Wait . " Adrian spoke in a low voice , " Ms. Holloway , aren't you forgetting something ? " An elegant voice sounded not far away . Bernice froze completely . It felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over her head , chilling her to the bone even in the height of summer . She gritted her teeth , her eyes reddening . Why should she apologize to Darlene ! Why did Darlene dare to accept her apology ! Why did Adrian have to force her to apologize !? A class society , at its core , is nothing but a game of people devouring one another . When she looked down on Darlene and bullied her , there were others who stood even higher than her . The status and wealth she was so proud of meant nothing to those in the upper echelons ; she was just like an ant that could be crushed at any moment . " We're all classmates who see each other all the time , why take things so seriously ? " Sonia raised her brows . She didn't like meddling in others ' affairs , but since it was Darlene , for some reason , she had disliked that face from the very first glance , always feeling something was off . Adrian's appearance only confirmed that feeling . A wretched pauper - where did she get the right to enter their social circle and try to build connections ? And now she shamelessly demanded an apology from them . " Sonia , your words aren't as weighty as you think , understand ? " Adrian's voice was soft and slow , his refined features still gentle , but the innate arrogance and malice in him was suffocating . 16:31