Chapter 8
His gaze shifted to Elder Adams. “This is the ‘talented elite‘ of the Manchester you spoke of?”
Elder Adams’s expression stiffened. His voice held a trace of flattery.
“This–ah,this is an exception.”
He forced out an awkward chuckle before turning to Charles,his face dark with disapproval.
“Young man,broaden your horizons. You were invited here to network,not to put on a damn bullying show.”
Charles’s face burned with humiliation,but his mind was more focused on the identity of the man before him.
He stole a glance at the man,carefully weighing his next move.
Then,Elder Adams spoke.
“This is President White of Golden Group.”
Charles stiffened instantly.
Golden Group.
That was an entity he could never afford to offend.
And this was the legendary Rogerio White–the man who single–handedly fought his way out of a mercenary ambush in the Amazon,seized control of the Dublin–based White family,and stabilized its empire within record
time.
Even from across the strait, Charles had heard his name.
A living devil.
For a brief second,jealousy flashed through Charles’s eyes,but it was quickly buried beneath a cautious restraint.
Olivia suddenly let go of Charles’s arm,stepping forward eagerly.
“President White,do you follow entertainment news?”
“A busy man like you probably doesn’t–otherwise, you wouldn’t be misunderstanding us like this.”
“I’m Olivia,a professional dancer. And the woman you’re holding-”
“You’re Olivia?”
Rogerio cut her off.
Olivia’s eyes lit up.
08:51
Dancing into the Heart of Mr. Cele
4.6%
pter
“You recognize me?”
“She’s the ultimate best dancer of the dance world. It’s no surprise that President White would appreciate her.”
“I already thought President Carter was impressive, and now a top figure from Dublin has stepped in? I’m so jealous it’s exhausting.”
Olivia maintained a reserved smile. “President White,have you seen me dance before? I usually don’t take photos with men,but if it’s you,I’ll make an exception.”
She adjusted her hair and took out her phone,intending to take a selfie with Rogerio.
Smack!
Before she could even adjust her smile,her iPhone was slapped out of her hand and sent flying
“Ah!” Olivia’s hand turned red from the impact.
She was about to complain when she looked up and saw Rogerio gently tucking away a strand of curls that covered Charlotte Edwards’s cheek.
“Alcohol allergy…” His voice carried a faint tremor.
No longer maintaining his usual gentlemanly restraint,he picked Charlotte Edwards up in his arms and turned to leave.
“President White!” Charles stepped forward to block him. “Where are you taking Charlotte Edwards?”
Rogerio ‘s gaze was as if he were looking at a dead man. “She’s going into anaphylactic shock. Can’t you tell?”
Charles glanced at the unconscious woman in his arms and sneered. “President White,you don’t understand. This woman is an actress–she’s the best at faking things. The drink she just had was plain water. How could she be allergic to alcohol?”
Rogerio ‘s chest rose and fell,as if suppressing something.
Charles’s eyes remained locked on Charlotte Edwards. “Stop pretending. If you don’t want to dance,no one’s forcing you. Don’t act like a victim and mislead President White. Get up now.”
While he spoke,a man leaned in and whispered something quickly into Rogerio ‘s ear.
A chill radiated from Rogerio ‘s entire body.
“You said she drank water?”
Charles scoffed. “That’s right. Olivia saw it with her own eyes.”
At Rogerio ‘s signal,the black–suited bodyguard closest to them strode over to the rich kid who had poured the drink
earlier.
08:51
Dancing into the Heart of Mr. Cold
4.9%
Chapter 8
“Which bottle was it?”
The young man trembled. “T–That one…”
Aside from the glass poured for Charlotte Edwards,the bottle had remained untouched,
Rogerio turned his gaze to Olivia. “Since you insist it was water,then Miss Wright,please drink the rest.”
Olivia averted her eyes. “I… I wasn’t paying close attention…”
Rogerio didn’t give her a chance to argue. “Give Miss Wright some water.”
The bodyguard grabbed her with one hand and forcibly pressed the bottle to her lips with the other.
“S–save me…” Olivia’s pleading eyes turned to Charles.
He hesitated for a moment,but before he could act,a single look from Elder Adams froze him in place.
“Young man,if you want to dig your own grave,don’t drag me down with you.”
Charles clenched his fists,his eyes burning red as he watched Olivia being forced to her knees.
Gulp,gulp.
She was forced to drink,half of it going down her throat and the other half choking her.
The once lively hall fell into a suffocating silence,broken only by the sound of her retching.
Half of Manchester’s elite turned into silent spectators,none daring to interfere.
Rogerio ‘s cold gaze swept over the crowd. “Do you all believe it was water too?”
The onlookers,terrified,shook their heads frantically.
“No,no! It was definitely alcohol!”
“Yeah! Olivia said it was water–we had no idea!”
“I swear,she planned this! She even said she’d make sure Charlotte Edwards couldn’t stand up again. And that Charles would only listen to her!”
