Chapter 126: Richard, Are You Serious?

Richard's eyes flashed coldly, sharp as frost.

He understood Dylan's implication. If Anran were to learn the significance of the cross to the Morris family, it would undoubtedly burden her, and she might even return it. That was something Richard wanted to avoid at all costs.

He glanced down at Dylan, who was still sprawled on the ground, and said nonchalantly, "I'm perfectly fine. But you… Dylan, are you enjoying the cold floor? Look, your admirers are watching you over there."

At that, Dylan sprang to his feet, smoothing his disheveled hair and sending a charming smile and a few air kisses toward the girls who stood hesitantly in the distance, as if the entire incident had been nothing but their imagination. To them, he remained their flawless prince.

"Ah—Prince Dylan smiled at me!"

The girls' screams erupted once more, but Richard's icy glare instantly silenced them. The crowd that had gathered moments ago quickly dispersed like scattered sand.

Dylan wanted to cry. Richard was absolutely infuriating—not only had he scared away his admirers, but his charm couldn't even compete with a single glance from Richard! How on earth had Richard managed to find a girlfriend at all? Though, the girl named Anran didn't seem afraid of the cold aura Richard exuded. Was she truly unafraid, or was she simply oblivious?

Anran, unaware of the cross's significance, assumed Dylan's fall was due to some misunderstanding about the cross and its connection to Richard, which had embarrassed him in front of others.

She quickly tried to explain, "Dylan, it's not Richard's fault…"

Sensing Richard's growing coldness, Dylan realized his earlier comment had nearly revealed too much. Clearly, the girl knew nothing about the cross's true meaning.

Dylan smiled, regaining his princely composure. The butterfly at the corner of his eye seemed to flutter as he said, "Oh, dear Anran, since you're Richard's girlfriend, that makes you my sister-in-law of sorts. From now on, you can call me Big Brother Dylan."

"Sis-sister-in-law…"

The title caught Anran off guard, and she froze for a moment.

Before she could respond, Richard snorted coldly. "Anran, just call him Dylan, like I do."

He wasn't about to let Dylan get away with that.

Anran readily agreed to Richard's suggestion.

Just then, the school bell rang.

"Ah, it's time for class. I have PE next, so I need to change into my gym clothes," Anran said.

"Anran, go ahead to class. Dylan and I need to talk," Richard said.

He then leaned in close to her ear, his cool breath brushing against her skin as he whispered, "During lunch, we'll practice our dance for the ball. I'll meet you at the clocktower."

His soft murmur carried an undeniable allure, and Anran's ears immediately flushed red. She shyly nodded, her heart racing as a peculiar fragrance from her blood seemed to emanate.

In that instant, Dylan's expression changed.

Only when Anran had walked away did Dylan speak. "Quite an alluring scent, Richard. Is that why you chose her?"

It was incredible. He had caught the scent of her blood—something extraordinarily unique.

Richard replied with a defiant smirk, "Dylan, that's none of your concern."

For a moment, Dylan couldn't decipher Richard's thoughts.

But then Richard's gaze turned icy as he warned, "Don't let anything slip about the cross."

Right, the cross! Such an important family heirloom worn by a human girl couldn't simply be explained away by her blood's scent. Dylan's expression turned serious as he asked, "Richard, are you serious about this?"