Chapter 319
Audrey asked, “Do you believe what he said?”
“I don’t know,” Lena frowned. “My mom is quite satisfied with him and wants me to date him.”
Audrey asked, “So, will you date him?”
Lena sighed. “Mom said our families are negotiating a partnership. She wants me to play along for now! Glancing at her watch, she added, “He asked me to a gallery opening. I should go.”
Audrey had the maid put Lena’s purchases in her trunk and watched her leave. The man’s sudden willingness to marry into Lena’s family–after initially refusing made Audrey wonder if he truly loved Lena or was just leveraging the family partnership.
Lena intentionally arrived half an hour late to the gallery. “Over here!” A man waved at her from the entrance. He wore loose jeans and an oversized tee grinning brightly.
“What, don’t recognize me?” He held out his hand with a laugh. “Let me introduce myself again. I’m Griffin Snow
“Lena Whitlow.” Lena asked curiously, “Was that your brother with you the other day?” They didn’t look alike at all.
“I take after my uncle; my brother takes after our aunt,” he said.
Lena smiled coolly, “How ‘fair‘ of your family. Neither son looks like the parents.”
“My sister looks like Mom,” Griffin said, leading her inside.
As they prepared to scan their tickets, a girl ran up and stopped in front of Griffin. “Sorry, I had something come up before leaving.” The girl looked at Lena and said, “This must be Lena. Hi, I’m Sarah Levinson–we’ll be friends.”
Lena glanced at Griffin, then at Sarah clinging to his arm, feeling a twinge of irritation.
“Dude, you’re so lucky to have such a hot girlfriend,” Sarah punched Griffin, then warned, “I like Lena. If you treat her like your past flings, don’t blame me for stepping in.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.” Griffin didn’t seem to notice anything amiss, turning to explain to Lena, “She’s my best bro.”
“Oh, okay.” Lena already wanted to leave. She regretted coming.
“After the gallery, let’s go play pool. Griffin loves to act cool, but his skills are mediocre. Don’t expose him–just praise him,” said Sarah.
“The more you flatter him, the more cocky he gets, and the easier he is
to beat,” Sarah chattered on like they were old friends.
She added, “Griffin, you still owe me a punishment for losing last time. I hate jewelry–it’s just for showing off. Buy me a motorcycle instead! Then I can race with you next time.”
Lena silently touched the sapphire necklace around her neck–her pricey coming–of–age gift.
Sarah quickly put on an innocent face. “Lena, I didn’t mean that. I just genuinely hate jewelry. And makeup–who wants all that gunk on their face? I love the natural look.”
Lena couldn’t take it anymore. “If you hate makeup, why are you wearing so much foundation? By the way, your makeup’s
Sarah quickly touched her neck, complexion turning awkward as she stole glances at Griffin.
Griffin also peered at her neck, handing her a tissue. “Wow, I didn’t notice.”
Sarah took the tissue, awkwardly wiping her neck. “This is all for you, y’know.”
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Chapter 319
“For me?” Griffin looked confused.
“Yeah. You said you were introducing me to your girlfriend, so I wanted to look respectful. I borrowed my cousin’s makeup. Ugh, I never wear this stuff – don’t even know how to use it properly,” Sarah said.
Lena rolled her eyes, suddenly spotting a familiar face. “Owen!”
Owen was standing with a man, studying a painting. At the sound of his name, he turned and saw Lena. His eyes lit up slightly, he murmured to his companion before walking over.
Lena walked toward him, furiously making eye contact to hint at him.
“Something in your eyes?” Owen asked, puzzled.
Lena looped her arm through his, whispering, “Play along.”
Sarah finished wiping her neck, tossed the tissue, and dragged Griffin over. “Lena, who’s this?”
“My bestie,” Lena smiled.
Owen was speechless.
“This is my blind date,” Lena gestured to Griffin, then shot Owen another look. “We’re all friends now.”
“This hottie’s your bestie?” Sarah scoffed. “He isn’t your ex, is he?”
“You’re ‘bros,‘ so why can’t we be besties?” Lena hugged Owen’s arm tighter, pressing close to him.
Owen’s gaze softened on her but turned cold and mocking as he looked at Sarah. “What, jealous?”
“Why would I be? I just-” Sarah thought Owen was hotter than Griffin and clearly an elite, not a laid–back playboy like Griffin. Too bad such a hunk was apparently gay.
Unhappily, she said, “Griffin, let’s go buy me a motor after this.”
Griffin nodded.
Lena squeezed Owen’s arm, smiling sweetly, “The ice cream you bought last time was amazing. Wanna go get some together sometime?”
Griffin, already turning to leave, whipped back around in shock. “You shared ice cream?”
Lena raised an eyebrow, “So? We also sleep together.”
“You what?” Griffin’s eyes widened. “He’s a guy–how can you sleep together?!”
“I accepted your ‘bro,‘ but you can’t accept my bestie? Then we have nothing to discuss. Go buy your bike with your bro; I’ll go shopping with mine.” Then, Lena pulled Owen away.
“No, Lena, wait!” Griffin chased after them. “I didn’t say I can’t accept him–it just surprised me. If you don’t want to see the gallery, I’ll take you shopping instead.”
Sarah frowned but silently trailed behind.
Lena led them to a nearby mall and into a nail salon. “Green–themed manicures for both of us.” She pulled Owen to a seat, placing his hand on the table.
The nail technician, recognizing Owen, instinctively started to greet him. He shot her a warning look, so she pretended to fetch new nail polish. “Both of you?” she asked nervously.
“Yep. My bestie and I want matching styles.” Lena turned to Owen with a bright smile. He nodded in agreement.
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Chapter 319
The technician’s hands trembled. As she turned, she shot a pleading look at the manager, gesturing to alert the floor manager, quality control manager, general manager–basically every manager in the mall.
Meanwhile, Lena had already taken Owen’s hand. “Let me tell you something…
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