chapter 19 Fake

"You, what do you mean by that!"
Nagnoloa clearly noticed the mocking look in Delfina's eyes.
"Delfina, don't be so dismissive. What I'm saying might not sound nice, but it's for your own good."
Delfina, busying himself with his books, replied in a calm tone, "Which of your eyes saw me being self-congratulatory, exploiting gratitude, or showing off everywhere?"
"Besides, my matters have nothing to do with you."
"Why bother being so nosy? You're as annoying as a chattering bird."
"You?!"
Nagnoloa was visibly shaken, her eyes wide with shock and her chest heaving in anger.
Hibiscus, standing beside them, was somewhat at a loss, torn between her brother Delfina and her good friend Nagnoloa.
Ring, ring, ring——
Just then, the bell rang, signaling the start of class, and the crowd slowly dispersed.
Nagnoloa took a deep breath, turned, and left in a huff, while Hibiscus finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Only Madsen, Delfina's deskmate, quietly gave him a thumbs-up. Delfina was the first person he'd seen who didn't try to please Nagnoloa, the school's beauty.
The day's classes quickly ended, and in the afternoon, as Delfina was packing up to accompany Hibiscus home, Nagnoloa stopped him again.
She looked at Delfina, still irked, and said stiffly, "Delfina, tonight, you and Hibiscus are coming to my house for dinner."
Delfina was slightly surprised; why would Nagnoloa, still angry at him, invite him for dinner?
"Did you hear what I said?" Nagnoloa pressed.
Delfina declined, "No need."
"You must come!"
She insisted, clearly still displeased, "My mom said you have to come!"
Nagnoloa would not have wanted to invite Delfina if it wasn't for Gardenia's insistence.
Realizing it was Aunt's invitation, Delfina couldn't refuse, "Alright, I'll come."
Nagnoloa huffed and then turned to link arms with Hibiscus, "Let's go, Hibiscus. We're having dinner at my place, get in the car!"
The two girls took the back seat, while Delfina sat in the front. The ride was silent, with Nagnoloa still fuming over Delfina's earlier comments.
In her 18 years, Nagnoloa was accustomed to men speaking to her with sweet words and cheerfulness. Only Delfina was different, like a stubborn stone in a pit – hard and unyielding!
Upon arriving at Nagnoloa's house.
"Mom, Hibiscus is here!" Nagnoloa announced as they entered.
"Hibiscus, come in, make yourself comfortable!"
Gardenia, wearing an apron, peeked out from the kitchen. Seeing Delfina, she said warmly, "Delfina is here too, come in and sit down!"
She warmly ushered them in, then turned back to continue cooking.
Ignoring Delfina, Nagnoloa sat down with Hibiscus and started chatting about girl stuff, laughing and whispering.
Delfina, left out of the conversation, didn't mind and just quietly sat in a corner.
"What? Nagnoloa, you're getting engaged to Madoc after graduation?!"
Hibiscus suddenly exclaimed in disbelief, "So soon?!"
Nagnoloa blushed, "It's not too soon. Our families have already agreed, and besides, Madoc is really great."
She glanced towards Delfina, saw his indifferent reaction, and became a bit irritated, raising her voice, "Madoc is just twenty and already the youngest millionaire in Ham City. Although he's the heir to the Entertainment Group, the millions he earned are all through his own efforts, unrelated to his family."
"It's cruel how people compare. Some are millionaires at twenty, while others are still repeating high school."
Nagnoloa's words were clearly directed at Delfina, who understood but didn't care.
If only she knew that Delfina was the owner of the entire Heaven Corporation, she might not have said those words.
Seeing no reaction from Delfina, Nagnoloa huffed in frustration, thinking he was just being stubborn. She approached him, "The reason I invited you here isn't just for dinner."
"Madoc will also be here tonight. I won't explain his status in detail, but you should know he's someone you need to look up to. His means, connections, and abilities are far beyond yours."
"You should take this opportunity to get to know Madoc..."
Before she could finish, Delfina interrupted with a wave of his hand, "No need."
Nagnoloa exploded, "Delfina, don’t be so stubborn! If it weren’t for my mom asking me, I wouldn't have tried to introduce you to Madoc..."
"I said no need," Delfina cut her off coldly, "I don’t lack means, I have the abilities, and as for connections, it’s others who come to please me, not the other way around."
Nagnoloa, fuming and flustered, wanted to retort, but at that moment, the front door opened, and a middle-aged man in a suit entered, followed by a young man in a sharp suit and polished shoes, radiating an exceptional aura.
It was Madoc Diaz, the young millionaire and heir to the Entertainment Group mentioned by Nagnoloa.
"Dad, Madoc," Nagnoloa greeted them, her anger subdued by their arrival.
The middle-aged man, Desmaius Harper, Nagnoloa's father and the self-made founder of Harper Corporation, nodded, looking a bit tired, "Is dinner ready?"
"Yes, it is. Mom has finished cooking, we were just waiting for you."
Desmaius looked around, nodded at Hibiscus, then his gaze landed on Delfina. Unlike Hibiscus's unease, Delfina's gaze was calm, almost as if he were looking at a peer, even nodding slightly, "Hello, Uncle Harper."
Desmaius frowned and grunted in acknowledgment.
Gardenia then brought out the last dish, inviting everyone to take their seats.
"Hello, Aunt Adler, Nagnoloa, Miss Gentry."
Madoc greeted everyone, his eyes lingering on Delfina with a hint of disdain and disgust, yet still extending a polite hand, "And you must be Delfina that Nagnoloa mentioned. Nice to meet you, I'm Madoc."
Compared to Delfina's simple attire, Madoc's luxurious custom suit exuded a sense of superiority.
However, Delfina seemed to ignore it, continuing to sit without responding.
Madoc's hand remained suspended in mid-air.
Nagnoloa called out, "Delfina, Madoc is trying to shake hands with you!"
Delfina looked up, immediately sensing Madoc's disdain but forced politeness, and replied with a touch of contempt, "Sorry, I don't like pretense."