Fend Off Ravenous Claws

Richard Domango had just walked in.

Naturally, he didn't need an introduction and the air seemed to tighten with his presence and the pressure from his reputation pressed down on the room. 

People instinctively parted to clear a path for him as though his presence alone demanded space. 

As he moved further into the room, some women blushed foolishly and lowered their gazes, adjusting their dresses, while some who dared to meet his gaze, were met with cold dismissal. 

Typical of his aloof self, he paid no heed to them as his sharp, dark eyes swept across the ballroom—not with curiosity or interest, but with the detached indifference of a man surveying a room full of people beneath him.

The men couldn't help but mutter to one another as they speculated the reason he had suddenly shown up today. 

Richard Domango had never associated himself with the Hales, especially since his press conference where he made mockery of one of the Hale daughters. 

Yet, here he was strolling into Jessica Hale's grand event, as if he belonged.

They watched in curiosity as he made his way toward one of the more prominent guests of the night—Mr. Howard Courtney, also a not-too regular at the Hale galas. 

Beside him, his daughter Monica Courtney stood beautifully in an ice-blue gown. She blinked up with wide-eyed surprise at Richard as he approached them.

Richard greeted Mr. Courtney with the briefest of nods before shifting his attention to Monica. This was enough for Minica to turn red as a pumpkin. Richard actually acknowledged her… this was a miracle. 

He nodded briefly at her and though he didn't say a word, the whispers grew louder.

Richard had refused to speak to anyone but he was so courteous with Monica. What does that mean?

From where he was seated with Shantel, George asked,

"Do you think there's something going on between those two?"

Without looking up, Shantel replied, "It would be best if there was, but that's none of my business."

"How can Richard Domango not be your business? I thought you rejected me because of him?"

After observing George for a few seconds, Shantel only threw back her head and laughed, leaving George more confused than he'd been over the years. 

"What's so funny?"

"You, of course, can't you see?"

"Meaning…"

"I'm in no mood to entertain your foolishness," Shantel threw back and swiped her phone screen to check a message. 

If not for her mother's speech which seemed to be taking longer than necessary, she would have been out of here. 

Meanwhile the other part of the room, Richard revelled in the attention he was getting, afterall, it was already a great honor that he was found in such a low-level event. 

However, the satisfaction he sought wasn't complete as the very person he wanted to provoke didn't even spare him a glance as if he was just another man in the crowd.

He could see her, relaxed and chatting casually with the womanizer, George Summers. What in Pete's sake did she find in him? But like the saying goes… birds of the same feather, flock together. He couldn't help wondering what was so interesting that made her laugh the way she just didr?

Richard's jaw tightened and his grip on his whiskey glass became firm as he realized she wasn't just feigning disinterest— that would have been easy to spot. She simply didn't care— just like she'd made him realize at the airport.

Monica noted how occasionally Richard's gaze moved to Shantel and wondered if what the reporters had written were true.

Wasn't it just a coincidence that they were at the airport and mistakenly captured in the same picture frame? Or was there something more between them? No. Richard hated Shantel Hale, she was sure of that. Maybe it was Shantel Hale seeking for cheap publicity and had hired those jobless paparazzi to take a picture of her with Richard. 

But here he was at the same event he had never attended before— in the same room and space as Shantel Hale. 

However, she will take it upon herself and make it her civil duty to ensure that at the end of today's gathering, Richard leaves here with a deeper hatred for Shantel Hale than ever before. 

"Richard, I was so surprised when I got to know you'll be meeting with my father at the Hale's event and I didn't want to believe it. But it turned out you came," Monica said with a coquettish laugh as she inched closer to Richard, cutting him off from his thoughts. 

"I only changed the venue of our meeting as I heard Mr Courtney was an honored guest here tonight and I wouldn't want him joggling between venues," he said suggestively. 

Howard was slightly flustered as he heard what Richard said. Did he suspect something? It would be better if they could talk before it was too late.

He cleared his throat to speak but Richard wasn't done talking. 

"Besides," he said, "I can choose to be anywhere I want in Rovencia."

"Yeah, that's right and I'm so glad you came. At least it will be refreshing seeing a respectable face here for a change," Monica said.

"Aren't you enjoying yourself here, Miss Courtney?"

"What's there to enjoy here? I only came because of my father—- to help him fend off some ravenous claws from getting stuck into him."

"I can always watch out for myself. Don't make it look as if I can't take care of myself," Howard Courtney said, throwing his daughter a cautioning look.

"Not with so many of them in view, Father. I saw one in particular…em.. the Seventh daughter of Jezebel casting a few looks in our direction just a few minutes ago. That was before Richard came in, of course."

"Monica! Stop spewing nonsense," her father scolded, looking more embarrassed at his daughter's words.

"Father…"

A stern warning glare from her father caused Monica's mouth to clamp shut. 

"I'm sorry, Mr. Richard. Please excuse my daughter's behavior. Whenever you are ready, we can go to a quieter place as I have something I need to discuss with you."

Before Richard could come up with a reply, the voice of the MC sounded loud and clear.

The moment we've all been waiting for is here. Let's welcome our host, Madam Jessica Hales as she comes forward to give her welcome speech.

The mood of the room shifted once more as people's attention turned toward the stage at the far end of the ballroom. Jessica Hale stood therw, poised as ever, exuding an effortless command over the room.

With her signature smile in place, she acknowledged the audience. 

The microphone was handed to her, and the MC stepped aside with a reverent bow.

"Good evening, esteemed guests," Jessica began in a voice as smooth as silk. "I see many familiar faces tonight, as well as a few unexpected ones."

That earned a ripple of murmurs from the guest. it was obvious who she was referring to and they couldn't wait to see how things will go tonight.

However, Richard, who was standing beside Howard and Monica, did not so much as blink. His expression remained unreadable as he took a slow sip of his whiskey.

.