HEIRESS REBORN: MARRYING HER EX-FIANCÉ-Chapter 36: Liam Smith (3)

Rather than Liam, Ayana noted how Matt redirected the attention toward her uncle.

’He must have caught on.’ She guessed, knowing that Matt was sharper than he looked and acted to others.

Meanwhile, a wave of realization washed over the guests as they processed his words. At the appearance of Liam Smith, most of them didn’t think too much of him and only treated lightly as the distant relative of the Kingston family.

Now that the Young master Easmond had spoken, they suddenly wondered if this was the new scheme of the Eldest master Kingston.

Rumors spoke of the estranged relationship between the Eldest master Kingston and his son who had become the new president of the Kingston corporation. Even though the new president was his son, the Eldest master had remained in the same position over the year.

There was neither a promotion nor a demotion, as though there was no familial relationship between them.

If this was so, then the reason for this distant relative was clear and understandable.

Perhaps soon, they would hear rumors of an adoption of this distant relative into the Eldest master’s family as his son.

’’Haha...I see that Young master Easmond loves to jest.’’ Mark Kingston did not react seriously to those words, making the guests wonder if that was truly his intention.

’’It seems the relationship between you and our Ayana is quite close.’’ Rather, he shifted the attention to the proximity between Ayana and Matt.

’But when did Ayana become this close with him?’ His eyes narrowed slightly into speculation. ’I heard rumors of their relationship, but I didn’t expect them to be this close.’

’Is it because of that engagement?’ Mark Kingston was aware of the verbal agreement between the Kingston family and the Kratos family to marry their children.

His niece must have met him through the Young master Kratos since he and the Young master Easmond had a close relationship.

’If only it was Arabella....’ He glanced at his daughter, who had yet to take her eyes off the Young master Easmond. It was as though she had forgotten her location, and Mark frowned inwardly at her behavior.

Didn’t his daughter remember that she was also representing his face?

’Lucinda did not educate well...’ He mentally noted to talk to wife about their daughter’s unacceptable behavior.

’’Well, Ayana is my dear friend and I treasure her deeply.’’ Matt declared with a playful grin. He did not point out the unanswered question, as it might be deemed rude in the eyes of others.

His actions also reflected on Ayana’s reputation.

’’I take it that I can go elsewhere with my friend, Eldest master Kingston?’’

’’Of course. We’re also at fault for allowing Ayana to stand on the spot.’’ Mark readily agreed with a smile.

"Thank you, Eldest Master," Matt said with a nod and effortlessly led Ayana out of the banquet hall, purposefully ignoring Liam—the so-called distant relative in his mind.

’’Did I do well, Ayana?’’ Matt let go of her shoulders once out of the unnecessary eyes. He stared at Ayana with sparkling eyes as though asking for praise.

’’Maybe a little heads up will be helpful, Matt.’’ Ayana casually pointed out as the cool breeze of the early night caressed her face. Together, they walked past the glowing outdoor lamps, and other guests.

"Sorry about that," he apologized, sheepishly rubbing the back of his head. "That bastard seemed to have his eyes on you, and I can’t have our future Madam Kratos stowed away by a fake."

Future Madam Kratos?

Ayana raised her brow at that. This was the first time she would be hearing that from Matt and in her life entirely.

’’You don’t believe them?’’ She did not point out Matt’s words and merely focused their conversation on her relatives and Liam.

"Anyone can be called a distant relative, Ayana." he replied with a casual shrug. "Besides, your uncle’s actions are pretty suspicious. You two aren’t exactly on the best terms, are you?"

"...Not exactly," she admitted, a faint melancholy smile flickering across her face.

Even Matt could see through such scheme. How foolish had she been exactly back then?

Determined not to dwell on her past life, Ayana inwardly shook the thoughts away.

"Well, if you ever need help, just let Axel and me know."

"Thank you, Matt."

"Of course. Just make sure to put in a good word for me with Axel," he then added with a mischievous grin. "That uptight guy always thinks I’ll get distracted by girls."

His words elicited a soft laughter from Ayana.

Well...she couldn’t deny that.

Matt’s reputation wasn’t exactly the best and it made sense why her fiancé would have that impression of him.

’’Speaking of Axel....’’

"Young Master Easmond!" Another voice suddenly broke through Matt’s words. Both he and Ayana halted and turned around just in time to see Arabella hurrying toward them, her heels clicking on the concrete pavement, her glittering gown trailing elegantly behind her.

"Thank goodness, I caught up." Arabella said, slightly out of breath as she came to a stop in front of them. "Apologies for interrupting your time together, cousin." She casted a quick, apologetic smile toward Ayana.

’’....’’

Arabella willingly apologized to her?

Ayana instantly became confused.

Before she could say a word, Arabella’s attention had already shifted to Matt, her gaze softening as she looked up at him. It was a clear sign that her second cousin’s interest laid solely on Matt, and not her.

"Thank you for coming to my birthday banquet, Young Master Easmond. Though, I was hoping Young Miss Easmond would join us too since I sent her an invitation." Arabella said, her tone laced with a touch of disappointment.

"My cousin is quite busy with the hospital and her patients.’’ Matt offered a polite smile. ’’Allow me to apologize on her behalf."

"Oh, no, no, I completely understand,Young Master Easmond." Arabella replied quickly, waving her hands as if to dismiss any hint of offense. She then lowered her arms and smiled. "I’m just glad that you could make it. If I’d known you arrived early, I would have done my best to personally welcome and entertain you as the host of this banquet."

"....." Ayana watched in silence as Arabella displayed none of her usual arrogance around Matt.

’Strange....’ She felt puzzled.

Arabella Kingston, her arrogant and self-centered cousin, personally rushed out of her own birthday banquet to catch up with Matt, the notorious playboy and good-for-nothing young master of the Easmond family.

She had even willingly apologized, and the apology seemed so sincere.

Was there something she missed?

Ayana did not believe that Arabella had changed her ways or fallen in love at first sight. Her second cousin would never choose someone like Matt, whose reputation was still terrible at this time.

Her uncle and his wife wouldn’t even allow her.

Arabella was someone who saw herself as the best and above the likes of Matt.

If there was a reason she could find, the only one that she could come up with would be about the Kratos family.

’Oh...’ Then the realization struck her.

Right, she had forgotten something important about her second cousin.

A reason Arabella despised her in her past life.

"Young Master Easmond," Arabella’s voice softened, and her cheeks flushed red as she lowered her gaze with complete shyness.

"I wanted to ask... how is Young Master Kratos doing these days?"