Chapter 1479:

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Unsatisfied, Hazel turned to a young businessman nearby. He took a sip of his drink and said without hesitation, “Oh, him? That’s Axell Seymour — the legendary mining tycoon. Controls several rare mineral veins. Rumored to be worth trillions.”

“A mining tycoon? Trillions?” Hazel breathed, the word landing like a stone.

She looked back at Nichol, who carried himself with effortless authority even in simple silence. Then her gaze slid to Prudencia, laughing easily at his side — bold and graceless and entirely at home — and jealousy unfurled in Hazel’s chest like something slow and invasive. What did Prudencia have to deserve a man like that?

The more she brooded, the more her discontent swelled. She pressed close to her friend and hissed, “Look at her, flaunting herself like that. She’s probably using her looks to charm Mr. Seymour. Just a businessman’s daughter — who does she think she is?”

Her friend nodded along, though her eyes kept drifting back to the couple.

At the dessert table, Nichol picked up a small fork, scooped a bite of matcha mousse, and held it out to Prudencia with a teasing smile. “Try this — I saw you eyeing it.”

She tasted it, and the matcha’s gentle bitterness against the sweet cream lit up her face instantly. “It’s delicious!”

Nichol watched her with quiet amusement, then reached up and brushed a small smear of cream from her lip with his thumb, warmth settling in his eyes.

Across the room, Hazel watched the small, tender exchange and felt her chest tighten with a fresh wave of irritation. She stamped her foot and muttered under her breath, “Shameless — flirting right out in the open. Where are her manners?”

Her friend tugged at her sleeve and lowered her voice. “Don’t make a scene. The Knight family may be in business, but they carry real influence in Swirdon. It’s safer not to provoke them — and besides, Prudencia is with Axell.”

𝘑𝗈𝗶ո 𝗼ur 𝖼о𝘮𝗆uո𝗶𝘁𝘆 оn gа𝘭𝗇o𝘃𝖾𝗅𝗌.com

“Why should I hold back?” Hazel snapped, resentment cracking through her tone. “My father is the city committee secretary.” Her eyes fixed on Prudencia across the room, hard and glittering. “Today I’ll teach her a lesson.”

Nichol was pulled away by an unexpected video meeting and hurried into the conference room next door. He wanted Prudencia to come with him, but she waved him off with a playful smile and promised to behave and stay out of trouble. Only then did he feel at ease enough to leave — though not before reminding her to wait for him at the dessert table and thoughtfully setting down a few plates of sweets within her reach.

Prudencia was quietly working her way through them when a sneering voice came from behind. “You just can’t stop eating, can you?”

She turned to find Hazel standing there with two friends at her sides, their eyes full of disdain.

Unbothered, Prudencia lifted a forkful of cake to her lips, chewed slowly, and swallowed. She wiped her mouth and said calmly, “If I feel like eating, I’ll eat. It’s none of your concern.”

Hazel’s expression darkened. “Watch your mouth, Prudencia! Don’t think I won’t hit you!”

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