From within the soft strands of black hair, his deep purple eyes sparkled with a smile that was both captivating and commanding.
The curve of his lips was breathtaking, so striking it seemed to momentarily steal the air from the room.
The entire hall fell silent in an instant.
That… that must be Boss Asake, heir to the Boldon Corporation!
Though everyone had long heard of his stunning appearance, seeing him in person was an entirely different experience—utterly overwhelming.
Even if you stripped away the weight of his status as the heir, he was still an ethereal youth, capable of leaving anyone speechless with his beauty alone.
“Asake, you’re just in time,” Night Boyan remarked casually, patting the young man lightly on the shoulder, as though greeting a longtime friend.
Adjusting his lapel, Night Boyan nodded politely to those around who greeted him, his expression as warm as ever. Yet, his words carried unmistakable annoyance. “Honestly, I’m tired of everyone asking if Ryus has a fiancée! Do they think I’m some profit-crazed lunatic? And what’s this, a marketplace? Do they think Ryus will marry someone just because they push a random cabbage at him?”
“I thought you were enjoying the attention,” Asake quipped, a hand absently brushing against the diamond cufflink on his wrist. His perfect smile gleamed so brilliantly it was almost dazzling.
“Well,” Night Boyan arched an eyebrow, an undeniable hint of delight creeping into his expression, “it’s true that their eagerness reflects how exceptional my son is.”
Everyone knew that Night Boyan, president of the Morbat Group, was a formidable man—a “slayer” in the business world, with a reputation that brooked no opposition. Despite his genteel demeanor, he was not someone you could afford to provoke.
Yet, when it came to his son, he doted on him shamelessly!
So, on this birthday celebration, his mood was naturally pleasant.
A faint trace of wry amusement flickered in Asake’s eyes as he picked up a glass of red wine from a passing waiter. “Speaking of which, where’s the man of the hour?”
His gaze wandered lazily around the room, but the young man’s figure was nowhere to be found.
Truthfully, even Asake found it a bit surprising.
It was widely known that Night Boyan doted on Ryus, yet that indulgence hadn’t turned Ryus into an overbearing, clueless scion. On the contrary, Ryus carried himself with a steady and understated demeanor, avoiding attention whenever possible.
There are people in this world who, without deliberate effort, naturally draw the spotlight. Ryus was one of those people.
In past years, Ryus had never been particularly concerned about his birthday. This year, however…
He had taken the initiative to request a birthday celebration.
But the most curious thing…
“Him?”
Night Boyan let out a soft sigh, his expression tinged with helplessness. “I suppose… he’s gone to see that girl.”
“Girl… huh.”
Asake’s lips curved slightly, and his deep purple eyes shimmered with a vivid, almost overwhelming intensity.
“That little girl has absolutely no manners.”
Night Boyan raised an eyebrow slightly, as though struggling to maintain his impeccable smile. “She nearly drove me to my grave the first time we met! If she ends up with Ryus one day, I don’t even know what I’ll do!”
Three hours earlier
Descending the staircase, Night Boyan had come upon Neil, who was leading a girl into the house.
“Boss,” Neil said, bowing politely.
“Who is she?”
Peering past the butler’s shoulder, Night Boyan scrutinized the girl.
Her jet-black, curly hair was loosely tied back with a lace ribbon, revealing delicate facial features. Her dark, misty eyes resembled those of a lost fawn.
Following Neil obediently, she clutched a cream-filled bun in both hands, taking small bites as she walked.
With a hand on his chest, Neil respectfully replied, “This is the young Boss’s esteemed guest.”
An esteemed guest?
Could she be the girl Ryus often mentioned?
Night Boyan frowned slightly, taking a closer look at her.
From the moment she had entered, she had been startlingly quiet.
At first glance, he had assumed she would behave like most girls brought to a place like this, gawking curiously at the grandeur.
That would have been the expected reaction.
But clearly, this girl had no interest in the architecture, the people, or even him.
For a brief moment, Night Boyan felt she treated her cream bun with more respect than she did any of them.
