Riches in Disguise

Crystal suddenly lost her composure. She shoved Oliver aside and stormed over

to me. Without a word, she cupped my face and kissed me.

I was utterly stunned.

At first, I thought she was just putting on a show, but her lips actually pressed against mine. She wasn't just touching them. Instead, she was kissing me deeply.

I widened my eyes, completely at a loss for what to do.

If I pushed her away, I guessed I would embarrass her in front of everyone and turn her into the laughingstock of the trust fund kids.

If I didn't push her away, it would solidify the idea that we were a couple. Felicia might never forgive me if that happened. She had just lost her mother, and I couldn't allow her to feel hurt or betrayed by me.

The thought gave me the resolve I needed. Without hesitation, I pushed Crystal away and took several steps back.

"Crystal, calm down!" I said firmly. "I never agreed to be your boyfriend. If you keep pulling stunts like this, I won't hold back!"

As I noticed the faint scent of lipstick lingering on my lips, I quickly wiped my mouth with the back of my hand, hoping to remove any trace of it.

The room fell deathly silent. Everyone stared at me in astonishment.

"Did he... did he actually reject Crystal's kiss?" someone finally said.

"He said he never agreed to be her boyfriend. Does that mean Crystal is chasing him?"

"Is this guy insane? What nonsense is he spewing?"

"This is ridiculous! I can't take it. Crystal kissed him, and he had the nerve to act all high and mighty. Can I punch him?"

"Did he actually reject a kiss from the most beautiful girl in the room? I swear, this world is messed up!"

Oliver raised his finger and pointed at me. "You little brat! How dare you reject Crystal, and even push her away? You're done for! I'm telling Maximus!"

"That's right, tell Maximus. Let him deal with this guy!" another person chimed in. "Did anyone get a picture of them kissing? Send it to Maximus now!"

"I didn't. I was too shocked to even move," another replied.

"Don't worry!" Oliver declared with a smug grin, "Dorian, the host of this party, is close with Maximus. We'll just tell Dorian. He'll take care of it."

The group nodded in agreement.

Crystal had clearly overheard them. Ever since I pushed her away, she had been glaring at me with a mix of hurt and resentment.

She probably hadn't expected me to reject her like that.

I couldn't help but think how entitled she was. Not every man would fall at the feet

of a beautiful woman, nor would every man tolerate her whims without question.

Just then, a woman ran into the room. "Dorian, they're here!"

A man walked into the room with

tall, beautiful woman by his side Frowning in clear displeasure,

What are you all doing here? I

&

thought none of you had arrived yet."

"Dorian's here!"

"Hey, Dorian!"

Everyone immediately greeted him enthusiastically.noveldrama

Dorian appeared to be in his early 20s, but the patchy beard he sported didn't suit him. He held the woman close with one arm while idly playing with a pair of walnuts in his other hand.

When his gaze swept over Crystal, there wasn't even the slightest pause, which surprised me.

It seemed Crystal didn't have influence over everyone. At least Dorian wasn't the least bit interested in her.

"Listen up Dorian announced. "I threw this party today to introduce my new girlfriend to all of you. She's shy, so when she comes in, nobody should raise their voices and scare her Got it?"