CHAPTER 197: 193. NATHAN MOORE’S HOSTILITY (MEETING OF RIVALS)

Titus Zane knew that the cut on his hand came from breaking a wine glass that night, yet there wasn’t the slightest ripple in his heart.

It was his own doing; no one else to blame.

Olivia Zane opened the paper bag, took out the dress inside, and upon seeing the light pink romper, joy was evident on her face.

"Nathan, is this dress a new design from this fashion season?"

"Hmm," Nathan Moore answered indifferently, glancing unconsciously at Titus Zane.

Titus Zane was used to Olivia Zane’s childish behavior. When he lived in Nathan Moore’s villa, she would always flaunt the gifts Nathan bought her in front of him.

Just like a concubine vying for favor, boasting about who was more cherished.

He picked up a teacup, sipping slowly, his gaze shifting to the side with an air of nonchalance.

"What’s that? Show me!" Olivia Zane, having placed the romper aside, pointed at another bag.

Titus Zane couldn’t help but silently sneer. Did she have to be so fake? It was obvious that it was a box for shoes, and besides, Nathan Moore hadn’t just arrived with the gifts.

However, something puzzled Titus Zane; from Olivia Zane’s tone, it seemed Nathan Moore had specially come to take her back. If he was to take her home, why bring these items over? Going to the trouble of moving them back and forth seemed cumbersome.

Was it to show off in front of him?

That couldn’t be it. She had decided to return to the Zane Family home on a whim, and only her mother knew about it.

Olivia Zane placed the box on her knees, opened it, and inside was a pair of nude-colored flat leather shoes that matched the romper well.

"Nathan, help me change into these, I want to try them on," Olivia Zane’s pleased voice rose again, while Ariana Evans chided her with a smile.

"You child, always so impatient. You can try them when you get home, when it’s just you and Nathan!"

"Mom! What do you know? I can’t wait!" Olivia Zane coquettishly retorted, passing the box to Nathan Moore, who then knelt before her holding the shoes, carefully sliding off her slippers before putting the shoes on her with deliberate, yet skilled, movements.

Titus Zane turned his gaze away again, looking to the side.

Julian Zane sat in a single-seat sofa, watching Nathan Moore attend to his daughter, a rare smile crossing his stern features.

"Ding-dong, ding-dong!" The doorbell rang, and Ariana Evans called out loudly, "Aunt Xu, see who it is?"

"Coming, coming!" Aunt Xu emerged from the kitchen and hurried to open the door, while Ariana’s gaze returned to Olivia’s feet.

"Honey, am I late? Has dinner started?" Jon’s voice reached them before he did, speaking fluent Chinese.

Instinctively, everyone’s eyes turned towards the door.

Standing at the mansion’s entrance, Jon was dressed in a white suit, a grey coat draped over it, with a top hat on his head, and dramatically leaning on a cane. Seeing everyone’s gaze turn towards him, he even posed with his cane at the doorway.

Then, lifting one hand to remove his hat, he bowed slightly towards the group, the gesture elegant and gentlemanly, like a noble from an unreachable social stratum.

"Mom, who is he?"

Olivia Zane asked without thinking, yet her eyes were fixed on Jon.

She had an intuition that this man was someone extraordinary; his demeanor and appearance suggested he might be a noble from some foreign land.

Even Julian Zane, someone familiar with grand scenes, was taken aback by Jon’s sudden arrival.

Watching the imposing figure at the door, Nathan Moore’s dark eyes gradually narrowed, slowly standing up, but not sitting back down, instead choosing to stand in front of the sofa, his handsome face wearing a clear look of hostility.