the two-faced Adopted Girl Who Melted CEO's Ice-Cold Heart-Chapter 985: Richard Shaw Earned His Rank Through His Own Merit

For Pearl Landon, her parents were willing to spend any amount of money on her. Over the years, they have transformed Pearl into a renowned socialite and lady in the Imperial City.

Like a child who couldn’t get milk, she used rebellion to draw her family’s attention. Later, she followed her uncle to learn various survival skills and gradually found her confidence. She realized she couldn’t be a socialite lady, so she opted to make herself stronger—if Pearl was going to be a socialite, she insisted on being the rebellious girl.

From a pile of wine, Crystal Landon picked a bottle of Napa Valley wine and had the attendant open it.

"You can drink?" Unknowingly, Hawk Howard had walked up beside her. He was wearing dress pants and a grey shirt, exuding a gentlemanly demeanor with a hidden wild side.

Seeing she had chosen a top-tier California wine, Hawk raised an eyebrow and smiled, "A young lady isn’t supposed to prefer France’s romance more?"

"But I am destined not to be an ordinary young lady." Crystal winked at him, her beautiful face glimmering slightly in the shadows of the light, pure and captivating like the clearest deep blue lake he had ever seen.

"Why did you come to Pearl’s charity auction? You’ve been back for a year and haven’t participated in social activities like this. Have you had a change of heart?" Crystal asked curiously.

Caspian Howard smiled without saying a word. In fact, he usually skips attending many of the Howard Family’s banquets when he can.

"I’m curious about what you’re auctioning tonight. You’re so poor, do you have anything to sell for charity?" Caspian smiled lightly, his charming smile drawing the attention of several socialites nearby, who blushed and inquired about his identity.

"Don’t reveal the hardships behind a smile, understand?" Crystal huffed, "I’m not that foolish. I had Richard Shaw carve two wood sculptures. Later, remember to help me raise the bid. I want to see which joker will buy them back."

She grinned mischievously, like a cunning little fox.

"Have you been living at the Shaw Family’s place lately?" Hawk suddenly changed the subject, asking.

"Yes, Pearl is back, and there isn’t much room at home. I can’t move into the Shaw Family’s place immediately, so I’m planning on buying a house." Mentioning buying a house, Crystal became lively. She should have bought one long ago, as it would give her a place to stay. If she got into an argument with Richard Shaw and couldn’t go back to the Shaw Family, worrying their grandmother, she’d have her own place to return to.

"How much savings do you have?" Hawk asked casually, indifferent to her marrying into the Shaw Family.

Crystal’s face fell instantly. "Only two million, that’s all my savings."

Hawk chuckled coldly. "Great, you can buy a toilet with that."

Crystal glared at him. So what if she was poor? Don’t underestimate a poor youth.

Seeing this, Hawk couldn’t help but reach out to ruffle her soft little head, watching her puffed-up, angry look always made him want to laugh.

As he ruffled her soft hair, he sensed a sharp, intense gaze piercing through him, impossible to ignore.

The man looked up and saw Richard Shaw, the Major General of the Shaw Family, standing out like a crane in the crowd, nodding and smiling, though Hawk didn’t withdraw his hand.

He had looked into this man. Richard was a genius among geniuses in the Imperial City, known for his hard work. People only saw that he had skipped grades since childhood, completing his master’s degree before he was even twenty, and quickly rising to Major General within the military district in just five to six years—a feat that could only be described as miraculous. Yet, what they didn’t see were the ruthless and bloody methods behind this man. Richard earned his military rank through his own merits, not through the privileges people believed were granted by his ancestors.