Nathan didn't answer Cameron right away; instead, he lit another cigarette. His long, elegant fingers held the cigarette as the smoke curled around his handsome face, giving him an air of mystery. "Why are you so nice to Nathalie?" Cameron asked, puzzled. How did down-and-out Nathalie end up knowing someone as affluent as Nathan?

Nathan replied with a calm, "Because she's worth it."

Cameron frowned, clearly skeptical about Nathan's reasoning. Then Nathan hit Cameron with a zinger. "Cameron, you've always been the golden boy, who looks like a movie star and has talents that leave everyone else in the dust. How did you end up falling for Greta?" The way Nathan said Greta's name made it sound like she was some kind of disgrace.

Cameron shot back, "What's wrong with Greta? She's smart, beautiful, kind, and gentle. If she weren't struggling with her health, she'd outshine Nathalie any day."

Cameron felt he had to champion Greta's virtues to avoid looking foolish for his unwavering love.

Nathan chuckled like he'd heard the funniest joke. His contempt was clear. "Is she smart and beautiful? Kind and gentle?"

"Oh sure, she's smart all right-smart enough to scheme her way into taking her sister's fortunes and husband, and trying to drag you down from your high horse to live in the gutter with her."

"She's got you wrapped around her finger. She plays the victim, and you can't even see straight.

"Cameron, your taste in women is seriously questionable."Exclusive © content by N(ô)ve/l/Drama.Org.

Cameron glared at Nathan. "Nathan, Greta isn't as bad as you make her out to be. She's just a bit fragile and likes leaning on others, that's all."

Nathan was unimpressed. "Fragile like a parasite that sucks the life out of its host?"

Cameron protested, "She doesn't want it to be this way..."

Ine

Nathan glanced at a shadowy figure lurking nearby, smirking slightly. He'd done what he came to do "Cameron, I've said what I needed to. Take care, alright?"

And then, Nathan walked away.

Cameron watched Nathan leave. His long lashes cast shadows over his eyes, and he muttered through gritted teeth, "Nathan, you think I don't see through your schemes? Greta only has me now. If I leave too, how will she cope? Nathan, your reyenge is downright ruthless."

Nathan returned to the party's main hall, where Nathalie quietly asked, "Where did you vanish to? You were gone for ages." Nathan forced a smile, unable to confess that he'd just done something almost criminal. "Just stepped out for some air, Nathalie."

Nathalie was perplexed. Why did he go out for air without a word? Such sneaky behavior was out of character. Then, a faint whiff of smoke tickled her nose. Nathalie sniffed and leaned closer to Nathan, making him tense up.

Nathalie's face was stunning and

innocent, with a hint of mischief. Her eyes sparkled like stars, and her slightly red lips were incredibly tempting. As she leaned in, Nathan's heart skipped a beat.

"Nathalie, what are you doing?" His ears turned red faster than a traffic light.

Nathalie confirmed the smoke was indeed from Nathan. She stepped back, her face serious. "Nathan, have you been smoking?" Nathan sighed in relief. "Oh, just a little."