Chapter 28: The Arrival of the Hypercar

They met in a secluded hallway near the banquet lounge, away from the bustling crowd.

Miss Ross looked at Leo pleadingly, her voice tight with emotion. "Leo, please... talk to your parents! Tell them you want to marry me! I don’t want to be engaged to some unknown country bumpkin!"

Leo lowered his eyes, his face a canvas of calculated guilt. "I’m sorry, Miss Ross. Julian likes you... and as his brother, I can’t take away what he has set his heart on. You should let me go."

"Leo—"

"I need to return to the main hall," Leo interrupted gently, stepping backward. "You should head back early as well."

Leo turned and strode away. The moment he turned the corner out of Miss Ross’s sight, the gentle, mournful expression vanished, replaced by a cold, malicious glint.

Julian Vance... Miss Ross will despise you for taking my place. Once you marry into the Ross family, your life will become an absolute nightmare.

Behind him, Miss Ross clenched her fists, her knuckles turning white against the armrests of her wheelchair. "Julian Vance... you brought this on yourself! Who told you to separate me from Leo?!"

Her eyes burned with dark resentment. The Ross family held massive influence in their circle—once Julian married in, he would be completely under her thumb. She would make sure he paid for ruining her future. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ

Meanwhile, inside the hotel lobby, only ten minutes remained before the ceremony was scheduled to begin, and Julian had yet to show up.

Elenor Vance pulled out her phone and dialed his number, snapping the moment he answered. "Julian Vance! Where on earth are you?! It’s almost time! Are you seriously going to make everyone wait for you?!"

"Relax, I’m almost there," Julian replied casually before hanging up.

In his car, Julian smiled faintly. Elenor, Leo, Arthur, Sienna... enjoy the suspense while it lasts. My gift to you is coming soon.

Outside the Grand Hyatt Hotel, the roar of a high-performance engine shattered the quiet evening air. A sleek, hyper-exclusive -lamborghini huracan smoothly into the VIP valet drive.

"Holy crap! Look at that hypercar!" a young socialite gasped, pointing toward the entrance.

"Is that alamborghini huracan? That thing is worth over twenty million dollars!"

The wealthy heirs gathered outside stared in utter disbelief. While their families were prominent in business circles, none possessed the insane capital or political pull required to secure a limited-production hypercar of that caliber.

"Who could possibly be driving that?"

"It has to be someone from one of the top five legacy dynasties!"

The scissor door swung open, and Julian stepped out onto the marble pavement. He adjusted the cuffs of his bespoke suit, his striking features and confident posture commanding immediate attention.

The young heirs stood frozen, their jaws practically hitting the floor.

Is God serious?! Not only is he obscenely rich and driving a hypercar, but he looks like a runway model?!

Ignoring the stunned stares, Julian handed the keys to the valet and walked into the grand ballroom.

The moment he stepped through the entrance, the bustling chatter in the room ground to a halt. Countless eyes swept over him, and a wave of hushed whispers rippled through the young heiresses.

"Who is he?! He’s ridiculously handsome!"

"Oh my gosh... I think I just fell in love. That face is absolute perfection!"

"Which family does he belong to?! I need his contact info right now!"

All eyes had previously been focused on Leo Vance, but the moment Julian entered, he completely stole the spotlight.

Standing near the main stage, Leo clenched his fists until his nails bit into his palms. Enjoy your little moment, Julian... once you’re locked into an engagement with a disabled heiress, your nightmare begins.

However, Leo had no idea that Miss Ross’s eyes had just landed on Julian.

Miss Ross was an absolute sucker for striking looks—the primary reason she had originally fallen for Leo was that he was the best-looking man in her social circle. But as she stared at Julian’s towering frame, sharp jawline, and magnetic presence, her heart beat wildly against her ribs.

He was far more handsome than Leo Vance could ever dream of being.

Elenor Vance marched up to Julian, her face pale with frustration as she spoke in a harsh whisper. "Julian Vance! You finally decided to show up?! How dare you keep both our families waiting!"

Her voice, though kept low, echoed across the nearby tables, triggering immediate shock among the surrounding guests.

"Wait... he’s Julian Vance?!"

"I thought they said he was an uncultured country bumpkin! He looks like a high-born nobleman!"

"His aura is so gentle yet commanding... how is he the adopted son who grew up in the countryside?!"

Several young heiresses felt their hearts break in real time.

"He’s about to get engaged to Miss Ross?! What a complete waste of absolute perfection!"

"If I could marry him, he wouldn’t even need to work—I’d happily earn the money just to keep him looking handsome at home!"

Listening to the whispers, the young socialites began to whisper among themselves. If the Vance family is only a mid-tier corporate player, how on earth did Julian arrive in a twenty-million-dollar Koenigsegg hypercar?

Julian looked down at Elenor, raising an eyebrow with an amused, effortless smirk. "Mother, I strongly suggest you adjust your tone with me. If I get annoyed and walk out right now, your precious golden boy, Leo, will have to step up and marry Miss Ross himself."

Elenor glared at him, her chest heaving with rage.

This unfilial brute was threatening her again! Yet, looking at the strict Ross family patriarch standing nearby, she swallowed her anger. If Julian backed out publicly, the Ross family would force Leo into the marriage to save face.

She had no choice but to endure it for now.

Seeing Elenor choke back her fury, Julian casually took a glass of red wine from a passing waiter’s tray, swirling the crimson liquid with a relaxed smile. Watching the arrogant Vance family squirm was immensely satisfying.

A short distance away, Miss Ross’s father, Mr. Ross, leaned down toward his daughter’s wheelchair. "Miss Ross, I know you resent this arrangement, but the contract is set. After you marry, you can treat Julian however you like."

Miss Ross never took her eyes off Julian, her dark resentment completely melting away into awe.

"Dad... I changed my mind," Miss Ross murmured, her cheeks flushing slightly. "I want to marry Julian! I’m completely willing!"

Mr. Ross blinked in sheer confusion. "Huh?"

Only an hour ago, his daughter had threatened a hunger strike rather than marry the "country bumpkin." What brought on this sudden change of heart?

Before Mr. Ross could process it, Miss Ross wheeled herself over to where Leo Vance was standing.

Looking up at Leo with a bright, cheerful smile, Miss Ross said softly, "Leo, you don’t need to feel guilty about not being able to marry me anymore. I’ve completely fallen for Julian now. Don’t worry—I’m going to treat your brother exceptionally well!"

Leo Vance stood frozen on the spot, his confident smirk instantly shattering into complete, bewildered shock.