Chapter 23 – The Meeting is Set

The sun had barely reached its peak when Ethan stepped out of the lecture hall. His classmates were still buzzing about the upcoming class dinner at Royal Garden, but he barely paid attention. His mind was focused on something else entirely.

James had informed him that he had a fiancée.

And now, he had to meet her at 1 PM.

For a moment, Ethan almost laughed. He had always known his life was far from normal, but this? Even for him, it was ridiculous.

---

As he walked towards the library's side entrance, Ethan pulled out his phone and sent a quick message to James.

> Ethan: Pick me up at 12:30 sharp.

James: Understood, Young Master.

With that settled, he turned his focus to the present. If he was going to meet Myra Langford, the daughter of the late Alexander Langford, he needed to make sure nothing seemed out of place.

Which meant… he needed to keep up the act.

He sighed, heading towards the nearest secondhand clothing store.

---

James had parked a few blocks away from campus, standing stiffly beside the car as Ethan walked inside the shop.

The place smelled of old books, detergent, and dust. Racks of clothes stood crammed against each other, their contents mismatched and unorganized. A cashier, who looked half-asleep, barely acknowledged Ethan's presence.

James followed him in reluctantly. "Young Master, are you certain about this?"

Ethan smirked. "What, afraid I'll ruin my reputation?"

James hesitated before sighing. "Of course not. But considering today's meeting, perhaps something more… appropriate?"

Ethan ignored him, running his hands through the racks until he found what he was looking for:

A plain grey hoodie

A pair of slightly faded jeans

A set of sneakers that looked barely worn

It was the perfect disguise—cheap enough to make sure no one suspected him of being anything other than a struggling university student.

James, on the other hand, looked horrified.

Ethan smirked. "You're acting like I just committed a crime."

James cleared his throat. "Young Master, I have served you for years, and I must admit… I do not understand your choices sometimes."

Ethan chuckled, handing some cash to the cashier before grabbing the bag. "That's the fun part, James. Let's go."

---

The shabby apartment looked exactly the same as before—barely furnished with just a bed, a desk, a couch, and a laptop.

James took one look at the room and sighed. "Young Master, you own multiple penthouses. Are you sure you want to continue living like this?"

Ethan threw the clothing bag onto the couch, smirking. "It's called staying low-key. Ever heard of it?"

James muttered something under his breath before straightening. "Would you like me to prepare lunch before the meeting?"

Ethan shook his head. "Not hungry. I'll rest until 12:30."

James hesitated before nodding. "Very well. I will return then."

As soon as the door closed behind James, Ethan exhaled and ran a hand through his hair.

This entire situation was insane.

---

Ethan lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling. He wasn't sure what to expect from this meeting.

Myra Langford.

A woman he had never met.

A fiancée he never agreed to.

And yet… she was supposed to be part of his life now?

Ethan scoffed, shaking his head.

Alexander Langford.

That name carried weight. It wasn't just any last wish—it was a dying man's request.

Ethan didn't know him personally, but he knew the power the Langford name carried.

If nothing else, this meeting would be… interesting.

---

12:30 PM –

The sound of a car honking outside broke him from his thoughts.

Ethan glanced at his phone. 12:30 sharp.

He smirked. James never missed a deadline.

Grabbing his phone and keys, he made his way outside.

A sleek black Rolls-Royce Ghost was parked discreetly near the university gates. Students were walking by, chatting and laughing—completely unaware of the luxury vehicle sitting just a few meters away.

Ethan made sure to wait until the area was clear before approaching.

James opened the back door for him, nodding. "Right on time, Young Master."

Ethan slid into the seat, exhaling. "Let's get this over with."

James got into the driver's seat and started the engine. "We will be arriving at the Langford Estate's Private Lounge in twenty minutes."

Ethan leaned back. "Good. Let's go."

As the car pulled away, he glanced out the window, his expression unreadable.

This meeting could change everything.