CHAPTER 88: [CHAPTER - 79] - VICTOR DORNE

Chapter - 79

The roads were smooth, and the engine of the Vireon X10 purred like a cat but the car swept the roads like a panther.

The dinner with the silver-haired mystery girl was still a couple of hours away, and he was planning to get back to the mansion, present Iris with her gift, change his clothes and meet her up at the City Square. He might even tease Iris a bit with his new toy.

"I will park right at the gate," he muttered with a grin, "Let her admire this baby first hand"

But the moment Lucius turned into the long driveway of the mansion, his grin faded. A car was already parked at the main entrance. And it was not just any ordinary car.

It was classic, sleek, and somehow even more luxurious than his Vireon X10. A deep royal blue coat shimmered under the evening light, its smooth lines reflecting elegance, and the chrome rims glinted like silver blades.

Lucius hit the brake and leaned forward slightly, "That’s... So beautiful."

[Ugh. I hate to say it, Master... But your million-dollar car just got outclassed.]

Lucius narrowed his eyes, stepping out of the car slowly.

He had never seen this car around the mansion before. He didn’t recognize who this belonged to. It was the kind of car only old money could buy. It wasn’t flashy, it was just so refined that even while being parked there, it looked intimidating.

Lucius frowned and walked up the steps. And the moment he stepped into the Levain Mansion, he noticed something out of the ordinary. It was unusually lively.

He moved inside quietly toward the source of the sound and peeked inside. The room was crowded.

Iris sat on one of the large couches. Her face was emotionless as ever. She didn’t look impressed or angry, just bored.

Next to her sat her aunt, the lady who had been against him from Day one. Their first encounter was when that bitch fighting with Iris to throw him out of the house.

Iris’s aunt looked completely opposite of Iris. She looked thrilled, excited, maybe even a bit smug, and her husband sat beside her, smiling politely, nodding at everything. He was just an extra in that setting.

But the spotlight right now was the young man that sat across them with his back towards Lucius. He had strong shoulders, smooth black hair tied neatly, and he sat tall like someone who had been raised with manners.

Lucius stepped in quietly, standing just inside the room, listening.

Iris’s aunt’s voice rang through the room like a bell.

"Oh Victor dear, your father must be so proud of you," she said, almost singing with joy. "Helping him close such a big deal. At your age, you are the most capable young man I have ever seen. Truly."

The man chuckled lightly and replied in a soft, deep voice.

"You are being too kind to me, aunt. I only did what was expected of me."

"Expected? You are being modest now," she insisted, "You are the most eligible bachelor across the country. Mr Dorne will have a headache choosing the suitable girl for you."

"Even Cassey admires you so much. She keeps talking about you all the time."

Lucius raised an eyebrow, ’Talking about him? Cassey? Well she didn’t remember him when she was screaming my name. Huh."

"Oh, Cassey! She has always been a kind soul," Victor replied smoothly, "And truthfully, ever since our school days, I have always felt close to your family. Even if our families are... rivals in business."

"I always believed that we should not let that distance grow between us. We are from the same world, after all. Instead of being enemies, we should become family."

And Victor’s eyes turned toward Iris as he said the last part, but Iris didn’t even blink. She simply turned her face away, clearly uninterested.

But Lucius didn’t miss the way her aunt’s smile twitched in annoyance at that. She was trying to set Victor up with her daughter, but the guy was totally into Iris.

Her aunt wanted to show Iris her place, and play her down in front of Victor and just then, opportunity presented itself.

Her eyes landed on Lucius, and her smile returned, wide, from ear to ear.

"Ahh, look who’s finally back," Aunt cried out with pleasure.

Lucius raised a brow as he stepped fully into the room. The way she looked at him made his skin crawl. That sweet, sugary smile was the kind that hid venom underneath.

She stood up and walked towards him like she had finally found her long lost son.

"Lucius, dear! Come in, come in. Don’t stand there like a stranger," she cooed.

Lucius smirked. He could tell from a mile away that this wasn’t affection, the old bitch was going to use him against her niece.

Even the System chimed in, confused.

[Just how do days change ? Is this the same woman who once called you a homeless hobo?]

Lucius stepped in, offering a polite smile.

"You seem... cheerful today, young madam."

"Of course I am," she replied brightly. "With such amazing young men around me, how can I not be?"

She motioned toward the couch.

"Come, sit with us. We were just talking about how lucky this family is to be surrounded by such talented boys."

Lucius sat down casually, but kept his eyes on Victor, who turned slightly and smiled at him.

He had sharp features, pale skin, and eyes that looked so warm and caring. His suit was tailored perfectly, and his posture screamed rich school education.

Lucius nodded politely.

"Lucius, meet Victor Dorne," Iris’s aunty said sweetly, "He is the oldest son of Marcus Dorne. One of the top families in the country. Victor and Iris studied together, didn’t you?"

Victor nodded politely.

"Yes, we did. Though she always tried to keep her distance from everyone," he added with a small smile. "That hasn’t changed much. Still so shy."

Lucius glanced at Iris. She was looking away, her face unreadable.

The aunt turned back to Lucius.

"And of course, we all know Lucius," she said, her tone playful, "He is... Well, Iris brought him in. No one knows from where. But do we care?"

She laughed lightly.

"Ever since he has arrived, he has been a... curious addition to the house. A free spirit. We don’t mind, of course. After all, family is about being generous, isn’t it?"

Lucius smiled, though the underlying jab wasn’t lost on him. The "we don’t know where Iris picked him up from" part stung, and it was designed to do so.

"Of course," Lucius replied coolly. "And I always feel so welcomed here."

[Master, she’s buttering you up while slicing you from the sides. She is targeting the Boss Lady by using you.]

"I know," Lucius thought silently, "She’s trying to bait me. Probably wants Victor to get a show."

Lucius leaned back on the couch, putting one leg over the other, fully relaxed.

"So Victor," Lucius said, his voice light, "Your father Marcus. Did he ever mention me?

"Mention you? Do you know my father?" Victor looked surprised. How can a nobody like him know his father?

"Of course I know him. We met on our Little trip to Udaipur," Lucius grinned, talking about Marcus, "Your father tried to kill me."

"Almost had me buried alive."

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