Chapter 185
A young woman from the university hurried over, her delicate figure and shy demeanor catching Tony’s attention. With a soft blush coloring her cheeks, she hesitated before looking up at him. Her friends, standing nearby, cheered her on, which only made her more bashful. Clasping her hands together, she nervously asked, “Mister, can I ask—”
Before she could finish her question, Tony took a slow drag from his cigarette and walked past her without a glance, his expression unreadable. The girl stood frozen, a mix of surprise and embarrassment washing over her. She turned back to her friends, letting out a quiet laugh as she watched him leave, her eyes following him with a lingering fascination.
Tony, oblivious to her gaze, puffed out a cloud of smoke as he continued down the path. The winding maidenhair-lined walkway was leading him closer to the front gate of the university. As he glanced ahead, a familiar figure came into view—Myra.
She stood in front of her white sports car, effortlessly drawing attention. Myra’s office-lady outfit—a neat suit and pencil skirt—seemed to highlight her figure in a way no other woman could match. While others might look stiff or formal in similar attire, Myra radiated elegance. The male students passing by stole curious glances at her, but Myra paid them no mind. To Tony, she was the only one that mattered.
With a faint smile, Tony flicked his cigarette into a nearby trash can and walked toward her. Myra’s eyes lit up as soon as she saw him. She smiled and hurried over, wrapping her arms around his slim waist, ignoring the crowd around them. Pressing her cheek to his chest, she whispered excitedly, “Today, Cameron told me he’s going to give me a villa.”
Tony, reading the joy in her voice, guessed the reason behind her happiness. He smiled softly and pulled her closer. “Did you agree?”
His lips brushed her forehead, a gesture so familiar it felt like second nature. They were in perfect sync, like an old married couple. The feeling of their closeness amused him, and he could sense the watchful eyes of the surrounding students. With a mischievous glint in his eye, he tilted her head up for a brief kiss on the lips before pulling away.
Myra, flushed from the kiss and the attention, grinned sheepishly. “I agreed! Why wouldn’t I accept a gift like that? I told him to handle the paperwork and leave them in my office later.”
Tony chuckled, his chest vibrating under her hands. “Just one villa? That’s a bit stingy.”
“Of course not! He also offered me a billion and five percent of Stark Group’s shares. But I turned that down immediately!” she said with a playful sneer. After a moment, her expression softened as she hugged him tighter, contemplating the future. “What do I do, Tony? I feel like I’m going to become a rich woman very soon.”
Tony raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Isn’t that a good thing?”
Her mind raced. Hilliville, with its booming real estate market, was bound to skyrocket. She owned forty percent of the property there, and if the prices continued to rise, her assets would multiply. If she sold at the right time, she could make a fortune. She could turn down the billion and the shares; they wouldn’t compare to what Hilliville could give her. She knew, though, that selling it to Tony’s Hart Group could benefit him—and her—immensely.
Her eyes sparkled with excitement. “Well, I think I’ll be just fine, especially if I sell it to you,” she teased. “Is that what you want? All the real estate under my name?”
Tony’s lips curled into a sly grin. “Would you really give it to me if I asked?”
“Yes,” she said seriously, nodding without hesitation.
Tony’s smirk faltered for a moment. He looked at her, his expression softening as he realized she wasn’t joking. She was serious. Her offer, though unexpected, came from the heart. He tightened his hold on her waist and spoke in a low, almost dangerous tone. “Are you really going to give it to me?”
“What do you think?” she responded with a playful glint in her eyes, though her face flushed with both embarrassment and determination.
Her gaze faltered as she fiddled with the cufflink on his sleeve, trying to hide the heat in her cheeks. She had never intended to become a major shareholder in the Chase family’s land, but things had worked out differently. She had always been clear in her mind—if Tony succeeded in his gamble with Hilliville, he could rise to power in a way that would make him even more of a success. And with that success, she’d rise alongside him.
Tony’s eyes grew darker, studying her with a tenderness that made her heart flutter. She wasn’t sure whether she was making a wise decision, but she knew one thing for sure: he deserved everything she could give him. In return, she hoped he would be there for her, as he always had been.
Her heart raced as she locked eyes with him, and for a moment, time seemed to slow.
He suddenly shifted, lifting her off her feet with surprising strength, his movements fluid and confident. Myra, stunned, let out a startled laugh, her face turning an even deeper shade of red. The eyes of onlookers widened, and a few whispered among themselves as Tony carried her in his arms, the princess-carry drawing every gaze.
“Myra,” he murmured, pressing her gently against his chest. “Once you take on my last name, you’ll be a rich woman—forever.”
Her heart skipped a beat. That promise sounded like more than just words. It felt like a future together, one where they would stand side by side, no matter what.
He gently set her down in the driver’s seat of her car, and for a moment, Myra was disoriented. “I’m driving today?” she asked, still processing everything.
As she slid into the seat and he sat beside her, Myra’s mind began to clear. He had shown his love for her in the most effortless way, without any need for extravagant gestures. His love was real, unwavering, and she could feel it in every touch, every glance.
Myra leaned in, kissing his cheek quickly. “I love you,” she whispered, her voice soft but full of meaning.