Chapter 148

Alexander Grant's breath hitched.

He saw a pair of delicate feet swaying gently on the swing, a silver anklet tinkling softly with each movement. The porcelain skin glowed like pearls under the sunlight, dazzling his eyes.

His heart suddenly raced out of control.

He pressed a hand to his chest, but couldn't suppress the unfamiliar flutter. It wasn't an illness, yet it struck more fiercely than any disease.

"Boss?" Patrick Pope's voice sounded distant.

Alexander didn't hear him. His gaze remained locked on those feet, watching them trace graceful arcs with each sway of the swing. The glimpse of slender ankles beneath the fluttering chiffon made his throat tighten.

"I'll get the car!" Patrick said, only to realize Alexander hadn't moved.

Following his boss's stare, Patrick sucked in a sharp breath.

The woman on stage—Susan Thompson—was shockingly hideous!

Patrick had never seen Alexander so unhinged. The man was known for his impenetrable composure. For him to be this transfixed, how grotesque must this woman be?

"Boss, are you okay?" Patrick asked cautiously.

Alexander still didn't respond.

Patrick sighed. "That Susan Thompson on stage is downright repulsive. I'll have her blacklisted immediately. She won't taint your sight again."

As he pulled out his phone, he glanced at the stage—then dropped the device with a clatter.

That was no monstrosity. She was a mesmerizing siren.

Susan descended from the swing with deliberate grace. Her expression was cool, yet an innate allure radiated from her very bones. The contradiction of icy detachment and bewitching charm was impossible to look away from.

Alexander finally found his voice. "Patrick, my heart is racing."

The dialing hand froze. Patrick's face turned red with suppressed laughter. "Boss, is this... your first crush?"

"Nonsense!" Alexander snapped, but his eyes betrayed him, trailing after that enchanting figure.

Meanwhile, Andrew Lucas's expression darkened like storm clouds.

His glare burned into Susan's exposed ankles, fury churning in his chest. How dare she flaunt herself like this in public—

"Vincent!" Candy Wilson's panicked voice cut through. "The jade bracelet Grandma gave me—it's gone!"

Her eyes reddened as she explained, "It's the King family heirloom for daughters-in-law. I kept it safe in my bag..."

The hall erupted into murmurs. Candy frantically scanned the room. "It's a white jade bracelet. Please, everyone, help me look for it!"

Vincent King frowned and stepped forward. "Don't worry. We'll find it."

But Andrew's attention snagged on something else—Susan was subtly backing away, as if preparing to leave. His eyes narrowed, and he strode toward her.