"May I ask why Young Master Tian is following ?" Matthew said as he ca to a stop, not bothering to turn around at first. "To my knowledge, I don’t owe you anything. Or are you still chasing after the gem I won earlier?"
Only then did he turn to face Rick Tian, eyes calm behind the mask.
Seeing Rick lingering a few paces behind, Matthew nearly smiled. Right on cue. As expected, Rick had walked straight into the trap, drawn by pride, irritation, and bruised ego. In his past life, this man had eventually beco his ally. In this life, Matthew will take the initiative and make Rick his friend.
Still, Matthew couldn’t show any satisfaction. So instead, he adopted a cold tone as he added, "If there’s nothing else, I’d appreciate it if you stopped trailing like so lost dog."
Rick’s brows lifted. "Who said I’m following you?" he snapped. The sting of repeated losses hadn’t worn off, and suspicion still gnawed at him. He was convinced this Ghost was cheating and he wanted proof.
Matthew let out a low breath, almost amused. "I’ve t my fair share of shaless people, Mr. Tian. I know the type well."
Rick’s expression tightened. "Are you calling shaless?"
He didn’t know why he was still arguing with a masked newcor. There was sothing about this man, sothing he couldn’t put into words. But whatever it was, it made him uneasy.
And Rick Tian hated feeling uneasy.
"I don’t recall saying that," Matthew replied coolly. "But if the shoe fits..."
"You—"
"Mr. Tian," Matthew cut in, voice still calm but now edged with faint amusent. "If you were hoping to accompany , you only had to ask. I’m quite the accommodating sort."
Rick let out a short huff, adjusting his coat with a sharp tug, but said nothing. Accommodating? The nerve!
Seeing the reaction he wanted, Matthew allowed himself a subtle smile before casually turning and making his way toward Argent.
"Ghost—" Argent imdiately perked up the mont he spotted him, but his expression stiffened when he noticed the man trailing behind. "Wait... is that—?"
"This," Matthew said with a faint smile. "Is soone simply looking for a bit of fun. Isn’t that right, Master Tian?"
This ti, Rick chose not to argue. "Just consider a curious onlooker," he said coolly.
"He’s from the Tian Family?" Argent’s voice dropped, disbelief laced with unease. How the hell did this guy manage to pull soone like that into his orbit?
The Tian Family wasn’t known for wealth or dominance, but for sothing arguably more valuable—legacy. Their scholars, their connections, their quiet prestige... the kind of respect that ca from generations of influence. These are the kind of people that he would never touch!
He gritted his teeth, forcing a smile.
"Don’t mind ," Rick repeated, folding his arms. "I’m just here to watch."
"Is that so?" Argent said, eyes narrowing slightly as he turned back to Matthew. Leaning in, he whispered, "Did you invite him?"
"Of course not," Matthew replied evenly. "I’ve been asking him why he’s following . He insists he isn’t."
Argent blinked. What kind of answer was that? He couldn’t tell if Matthew was joking or if this whole situation was slowly spiraling out of his control.
"Just do as he says and ignore his presence," Matthew said.
Argent nodded as he gritted his teeth in silence. With Rick by their side, his plan would be for naught! He would never offend soone from the Tian Family! Not even for tens of millions!
"Let’s go. Aren’t we buying that cart? You already asked to make a bet. What are we betting on?" Matthew casually said.
Hearing this, Rick’s ears perked up. Was this so sort of scam to lure him in? If it was, then... Rick’s eyes narrowed as he followed Matthew and Argent.
The Tian Family had been around for generations. Naturally, they had t a lot of shaless people who wanted to scam them. In his mind, Ghost was just one of them. This man did not only humiliate him in front of his uncle. Now, he also wanted to scam him? Today, he is going to tear apart this man’s face!
While following them, he secretly sent a ssage to his uncle using one of the attendants. As a mber of the Tian Family, he knew a few secrets in each auction house, and this ti, he took advantage of that to be able to send a ssage.
Sadly for him, Matthew didn’t miss his actions. In his past life, Matthew had visited a few auction houses himself and knew a few tricks. This was because he had seen Duke and Forge do it. However, he acted like he didn’t notice Rick’s actions.
"Eh? Why are you bringing us to this place again?" Matthew asked when Argent took them to the place where the woman offered him so tea. The ghost girl had warned him about the tea, and he didn’t drink it, using his upset stomach as an excuse.
"I need to pick up a few things..." Argent said, glancing around. "Feel free to look around while I take care of it. Just give a minute."
"Oh..." Matthew responded lightly, watching as Argent disappeared deeper into the shop. He made no effort to acknowledge the tension in Argent’s voice, though it was obvious. Of course, the man was going to warn the vendors. But wasn’t that exactly what Matthew wanted?
He turned casually toward Rick, who was still trying to act as though he blended into the furniture.
"What are you staring at?" Rick snapped.
"Forgive for asking, Mr. Tian," Matthew said. "But why are you really following ? If you wanted that gem, I can sell it to you for a fair price. However, you must promise not to follow again."
He had to keep up appearances, after all. The stage was set, and this was a performance for anyone who might be watching.
"I’m simply heading in the sa direction," Rick replied with a shrug.
"..." For a brief mont, Matthew felt a dangerous urge to slap him. This is the future patriarch of the Tian Family? If he was right, Rick should be twenty-five years old this year. At twenty-five, the man was still acting like a teenager! He took a breath to steady himself.
"Well, I wouldn’t want to assu anything," he said slowly. "But Mr. Tian, please be honest with . Have you perhaps... taken a liking to ? Is that why you’re following ? If so, I must warn you... I’m young, innocent, and tragically pure. My heart is as delicate as porcelain. I don’t get involved in those kinds of things."
"You—!" Rick sputtered. He didn’t know what to say.
Reviews
All reviews (0)