Chapter 179
"Keep an eye on her every move and report back to me immediately," Dustin ordered one of the Hell Guards as they exited the alley.
Although he had given Bianca three days, he was not going to wait around.
Someone as arrogant as Bianca would only grow more insolent under direct threats. His ultimatum was a deliberate trap. It was paired with round- the-clock surveillance to ensure she led them straight to his father's remains.
After issuing his orders, Dustin returned to the West family villa.
Recently, the West family had been rising to prominence with his support. Most members were now preoccupied with various affairs, and the villa was quieter during the day.
"Master Fox..." Irene stood by a pillar and called out to him softly.
She was still struggling to address him like that.
The young man she had once recruited from a bar had now become "Master Fox" to the West family. Lucius wanted everyone in the family to show Dustin the utmost respect. This left Irene feeling awkward and uneasy around him.
"Just call me by my name," Dustin said calmly.
He was not particularly fond of the title either.
"D... Dustin, could I ask you for a favor?" Irene asked hesitantly. Her fingers twisted nervously as she lowered her gaze.
"Go ahead. If it's something I can do, I'll help," Dustin said with a faint smile.
He had always rewarded loyalty generously, which was why he supported the West family.
be
"Could you...
my date at tonight's graduation ball?" she asked, and her cheeks flushed a deep red.
Dustin was momentarily stunned.
"I really couldn't find anyone else..." she said and lowered her head even further.
At the prestigious university she attended, her beauty had made her a target of envy among wealthy heiresses, while her disdain for entitled young men left her with few friends.
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For the graduation ball, she had been provoked by her peers to boast about finding the perfect date. But in the end, she had no one else to turn to except for Dustin.
"Alright." Dustin nodded.
It was not a big deal, after all.
Irene's face lit up with joy instantly, and she smiled charmingly,
"7p.m. tonight. I'll be waiting for you!" she said excitedly. She gave him the address before dashing off in high spirits.
At the graduation ball for the art students of Lannopolis Elite College, the scene was a dazzling display of wealth and glamor.
Heiresses of affluent families dressed in dazzling gowns and adorned themselves with extravagant jewels, while the heirs wore impeccably tailored suits that radiated sophistication and luxury.
This was not just a celebration for the graduates. It was a grandworking event for the upper classes of society.
One person, however, stood out from the crowd.
Irene stood alone in a quiet corner. Her simple evening gown appeared plain and modest compared to the extravagant outfits of others.
While the other graduates were busy chatting and laughing in lively groups, Irene remained isolated.
Before long, a small group approached her. Their expressions dripped with mockery.
Leading them was a woman in a daring red high-slit dress. Her figure was striking, yet her features were unremarkable.
"Irene, where's the perfect date of yours? Stuck in traffic, perhaps?" said the woman teasingly.
Her name was Phoebe Chandler. She was a long-standing rival who had been targeting Irene since their first year.
All because the man Phoebe had pursued relentlessly during orientation had ignored her advances and instead had gone after Irene. Phoebe had held a grudge ever since. "The ball has started, and he still hasn't shown up. Don't tell me you made him upCcontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.
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just to save yourself from embarrassment?" Phoebe laughed mockingly.
Irene's face darkened.
The clock was ticking past seven, and Dustin had yet to appear. She was beginning to feel anxious.
“I didn't make him up. Maybe something came up...” Irene said. Her voice sounded strained as she forced herself to remain composed.