Chapter 185
“You are the one who should be leaving.”
Dustin’s gaze locked onto Aaron as he spoke calmly.
The ballroom buzzed with murmurs of disbelief.
The Burke family was one of the elite families of Lannopolis. Even in the elite circles of Lannopolis Elite College, where wealth and influence were abundant, few would dare cross
someone like Aaron.
But Irene’s date was a completely unknown person who did not seem to belong to any notable family. How could he be so bold?
Phoebe sneered mockingly.
She knew Aaron’s temper all too well. There was no way he would let such an insult slide. Irene’s “perfect date” was bound to suffer.
Aaron’s face darkened. He slowly got up while still holding the engagement ring in one hand.
“You’re the first person to speak to me like that…” he said in an icy voice full of menace. A twisted smile spread across his face. “And you’ll be the last!”
“Aaron, what are you trying to do? Think before you act!” Irene quickly stepped in front of Dustin with a tense face.
“You’re defending him?” Aaron asked. His tone was sharp and disbelieving. Each word dripped with venom.
Irene felt exasperated.
She was not protecting Dustin. She was trying to save Aaron from his own stupidity.
After all, the once–arrogant Aquila family had already been wiped out for crossing Dustin.
The Burke family’s influence was not much stronger than the Aquila family.
“Relax. I won’t cause a scene here,” Aaron said as he raised his chin arrogantly. “But I will make sure he knows his place.”
He turned back to Dustin with a condescending look. “Look, I’m not unreasonable. If you’re interested in Irene, then let’s settle this fairly,” he said as he held up the ring box for all to see.
“A man’s worth is easily proven. Since I met Irene, I’ve been giving her gifts on every occasion, and none of those gifts are worth less than a million dollars. For this proposal, I even spent tens of millions at the Central Harbor Auction House to buy this top–quality
+25 BONUS
Verdigris Emerald. And you? What have you given her?”
Aaron’s eyes roved over Irene to search for any expensive accessories, but he found none.
“You’ve spent so much time with Irene. Surely you’ve given her something nice, haven’t you?”
“Aaron, I’ve never accepted any gifts from you! And whatever relationship you think I have with Dustin… it’s nothing like that!” Irene said in frustration.
However, Dustin raised a hand to gesture to her to stop.
He smiled faintly as he reached out to pluck the Verdigris Emerald ring from its box.
“This tiny pebble is smaller than my fingernail, and you spent tens of millions on it? Truly extravagant!” he said mockingly.
“Do you even know what this is?” Aaron shot back furiously. “This is top–grade Verdigris Emerald. It’s the finest you’ll ever see!”
Dustin chuckled softly and shook his head as though he was disappointed.
“This trash? You think this is worthy of a proposal? If I were you, I’d be embarrassed to show my face,” Dustin said as he casually tossed the ring back into its box.
“You!”
Aaron’s face flushed red with anger, and his eyes widened in rage.
“How dare you call this ring trash? You’re blind as a bat!” he barked furiously. “If this is trash, then show me something better! Prove you’re not all talk or stop embarrassing yourself!”
Aaron did not believe Dustin could show anything valuable.
Judging by his plain attire, he probably could not even afford something worth a few thousand dollars.
“You’re calling a 30 million dollar Verdigris Emerald ring trash? Let’s see if you can back that up!” said someone in the crowd in a mocking voice.
“I can’t stand loudmouths! If he doesn’t have anything better to show, he’s just embarrassing himself,” said someone else, and the crowd laughed in agreement.
