She Outshines Them All (Athena and Matthew)

Chapter 406

Brandon looked them over, a smirk plastered on his face. 'So, Zoe ditched Andrew for a thirty-something Sebastian?'

In fairness, Sebastian might be older, divorced, and already have two kids, but he was still the Randolph heir. Marrying him would make Zoe the lady of the Randolph family, letting her keep that luxury lifestyle. When Zoe noticed Brandon staring, she quickly looked away, pulling her arm from Sebastian's.

Deep down, she knew Sebastian was the practical choice, yet shame still crept up on her, especially with all these Donovan family around.

The idea of Athena laughing at her for settling with an older man made her stomach churn; it was like an itch she couldn't scratch, irritating and constant.

Sebastian, oblivious to her discomfort, focused on Brandon. "Cat got your tongue?" he mocked. "Didn't you use that smooth talk of yours to chase Laney down, convincing her to marry you?"

Then, he added, "After Laney finally came to her senses and dumped you, didn't you cause that scene at her birthday party? All that talk about 'every dog has its day,' saying you would get your revenge on the Randolph family?" Sebastian loved to remind Brandon of that incident. Brandon's public humiliation of the Randolph family still stung. He had stood up to them, with neither the servility nor the hesitation they expected from someone beneath them.

The Randolph family had never forgotten that slight, and every time Sebastian saw Brandon, he wanted to grind him down.

Now, people nearby murmured among themselves, casting curious glances at Brandon.

The Randolph family was among Kitmore City's elite, controlling Randolph Group-a giant with its hands in everything from pharmaceuticals to food, even hospitals and toys. The business wasn't just wealthy; it was steady, one of the West End's top companies with room to grow.

And then there was Laney Randolph, the family's only daughter, a stunning, accomplished woman who turned heads everywhere she went. Plenty of men wanted her, but the Randolph family had strict standards, and no one had yet made the cut.

Brandon's Al company was growing, sure, but compared to the Randolph Group, it was still just getting started. Him aiming to marry someone like Laney sounded... too ambitious.

Brandon didn't rush to respond Sebastian's mockery. He calmly downed his glass of red wine, setting it back on the table with a quiet clink.

Randolph family, right in front of you. Go on, take a shot at me! "Didn't you say every dog has its day? Well, looks like

a few

hurry to get knocked down-what's

already pushing thirty-something. Your parents are nearly

the crowd as Sebastian's face flushed with embarrassment. "Big talk," he

your so-called company wouldn't still be so small. It wouldn't

all been sliding. "Sure, my company's smaller now, but I'm climbing up from the bottom while you're slipping down from the top. One day, we'll meet-and I'll

anyone's feeling the

out, "That's right! One is rising, the other is falling. We all know who

his teeth. "Trash is still trash, no matter how you

to be a nobody

back off from Laney,

really think you're some kind of David taking

swnevernet

you've got, you'll

trick or force me. We loved each other. Stop talking about him like that." With that, Laney stepped forward, graceful and striking, placing herself between Brandon and Sebastian. Her eyes

Laney! He used you back then, just trying to climb his way up-" "Mr. Randolph," Brandon interjected calmly, his gaze steady. "Someday, I will surpass the Randolph family. When that happens, you won't have the luxury of mocking

on your own life rather than wasting time provoking me. None of this will

gaze to Laney-cool and detached. "Laney, whatever we had ended a long time ago. You don't have to speak for me. I don't need anyone standing up for me-not even you." Low murmurs spread through the crowd. "The guy's got guts," someone whispered. "Donovan High-tech's been growing fast these past three years. Definitely someone to watch." Laney's

well-dressed young man appeared, slipping his arm protectively around Laney's waist and shooting Brandon a challenging

anything for you except make you

is my fiancée. Don't even

stepping aside. "I only agreed to date you,