Burning Passion

CHAPTER 246: HIS GREATEST RIVAL

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Steven keenly waited for the next words coming out from Greg's mouth. He is eager to listen. 

"I miss your cousin." Sounded like an elementary student, he was shy to admit it. But he needs to show his sincerity with his feelings for Korin. 

"Oh..." Is what Steven could only say. But he gives Greg a teasing grin. "I see that you like her." 

Nodding, with a depressing tone, he admitted it. "But I know I will have a hard time to win her over," Greg uttered.

Creasing his forehead, Steven asked Greg. "Why not?" 

Greg heaves a sigh as he replies, "Your family is great. I have no wealth or solid background to back me up." 

"But, Aunt Annie is a Li member?" asked Steven curiously.

"Mama was outcast by her grandfather after she chose a foreign guy who was poor. Her family cut her ties in the clan. Only Uncle Nelson who sided her..." Greg pauses for a moment, pondering those stories he heard. He then continued since Steven curiously listened to his story. 

"My family was very grateful that Uncle Nelson trusted my mother to take care of his business contracts here in Europe. We are living a better life. But my father also works hard to give honor to my mother."

Steven listens carefully and ponders. He is lucky that he is a member of Shang Household, where he has the advantage to get what he wants as long he will work hard for it. 

"Hm. Don't worry. Grandpa Oliver is different among the Shangs. He was outcast before because he fought his love and married that poor girl," Steven told Greg.

"Oh. Is that true?" 

Steven nodded, he then went on. "Yes. For many years, grandpa Oliver worked hard on his own and never relied on Shang's wealth and connections to make his name." 

"Ah. That's the restaurant Korin has been talking about." 

"Yes. Grandpa Oliver put up his first restaurant without using a single penny from Shang's. He began from scratch. But a decade past? Great-grandpa opened the door for him again. Of course, Grandpa Oliver is reluctant to accept his reconciliation. But after his wife was accepted by great-grandpa, everything settled down." 

"That was inspiring…" 

"Yes. I was lucky things are going smoothly in my family ever since day one my parents got married. So then, I need not worry. My family enough to back me up to pursue Nina and arrange our marriage." 

Greg creased his brows and thought to himself. 'Arranged marriage? Why? If Nina and Steven have a mutual understanding?' 

Steven noticed the perplexity in Greg's expression. He clears his throat and says, "Li Household is not an ordinary family in High Society. There more families are crawling their way to ask Nina's hand for marriage." 

"Oh. I get it now. That's the way back there. For most, it's about power and wealth. Not caring about the feelings, whether it has love in between the couple." 

"Um… yes," Steven concurred. That almost made him speechless because he knows himself who Nina truly likes. 

Steven hid his sourness, not for Greg to notice it. He is one of those men who have to crawl his way to seize an advantage. Gratefully, his mother and Nina's mother are cousins, even just by adoption. He gets closer to Nina without shedding sweat. 

But he has a great rival blocking his way. 

And that is Harry.

Thinking about his twin brother, until now, Harry notices nothing yet that he is preventing all the letters that Nina sent to him. But one thing he needs to do. He needs to get the maple leaf Nina gave to Harry. But he wonders where Harry keeps it. 

Nina wants Harry to send it back as proof that he has no feelings for her. But he couldn't find it. He searched over Harry's stuff, but nothing.

Steven tilted his head to the side and continued chatting with Greg until it's time to pick up Nina and Jessica. Since Greg brought a car, they drove to London downtown. It was exactly six in the evening. All the lights lit up. 

Jessica quietly matches Nina's pace, where the men walk ahead and talk nonstop. They headed to where the giant Christmas Tree was put up. She is watching closely. She knew Nina was crying when she came back from lunch out with Steven. 

She was curious to know what happened. But she has no right to ask her Miss.

True that Nina was very silent since Steven and Greg picked them up. She cheerfully smiled in front of them, though behind those smiles is her broken heart. 

To hide her swelling eyes. She applied a concealer under her eyes and put on light makeup. She knew that Jessica was paying attention closely to her. Somehow Jessica has a strong hunch in her feelings. 

Nina observes Steven and Greg, asking herself, 'when these two are this close?' But they were the same age. Normally, they will understand each other. Surely, they think the same and have similar interests too.

Steven felt an intent gaze on his back. He glanced over his shoulder and found it was Nina. Instantly, a huge sweet smile tore across his handsome face. 

Caught her staring at him, Nina flush and wanted to avert her gaze, but it was too late to do that. And seeing Steven beaming like that, her heart sank, wishing it was Harry. 

Remembering about Harry, the pain coming back. 

"Nina! Let's grab a cup of latte!" Steven suggested. He and Greg now paused, waiting for them to catch their pace.

Nodding, Nina pushed a smile and replied, "Okay. It's a great idea!" 

Jessica, who looked casually. Her heart pitied Nina. Working with her for almost two years, she already knows Nina well. 

'Dammit, Harry! Why are you so stupid!? You should be here as well!' Jessica mumbling to herself.

At least her Miss would not fake her smile. But what happens during lunch? 

It does not convince her that nothing happens.. She has to find it out.