Chapter 98

A glimmer of emotion shone in Farris's eyes, hinting at unspoken words that seemed to beg for release

Marissa arched a brow, a quiet laugh slipping past her lips before she quickly stifled it. Her expression softened into a teasing half-smile. "So what if I'm seeing your cousin?" she replied lightly.

Farris hesitated for a moment, his brow furrowing, before his features relaxed, as if he had made up his mind. "I know this might sound sudden, bout..." He took a deep breath, summoning his nerve. "I fell for you the moment I saw you. I really like you. If you're only here as my cousin's date, could you give me a chance?"

His tone was sincere, his gaze filled with a blend of admiration and hope.

But Marissa, unfazed by his sudden love confession, regarded him with amnused detachment.

He looked young, though his formal attire gave him an air of false maturity.

Narrowing her eyes slightly, she studied him, then lowered her gaze, her tone turning playful."Are you trying to steal Theodore's woman?"

Her bluntness caught him off guard. He blinked, momentarily speechless, before shaking his head with a strained smile. "No, I didn't mean it like that..."

"You were about to mention his engagement, weren't you?" Marissa cut in sharply, her eyes locking onto his with deliberate intensity.

Farris faltered. "You... know about that?" he asked, frowning in confusion.

He had never seen her before, and she didn't look like someone from a powerful family.

The engagement between the Curtis and the Brooks families wasn't public knowledge.

Had Theodore ever mentioned it to her? Was he really that taken with her? A storm of questions raced through Farris's mind. If she already knew everything and still chose to stay by Theodore's side... that was something else entirely.

His eyes flickered, and a faint grin curved his lips. "Well, I'm not exactly outgoing," he admitted, feigning modesty. "Confessing my feelings to you today took all the courage I had. Normally, if I see a girl walking toward me, I cross the street to avoid her. My cousin, on the other hand, is the complete opposite-women always surround him."

"Really?" Marissa arched a brow, her tone playful. "So,you really like me?"

"I was smitten the first moment I saw you," Farris declared with earnest conviction. "You're like an angel.You and my cousin don't seem to talk much. Isn't it exhausting being with someone like him? He's bad-tempered.Do you two even have anything in common?"

Marissa's expression stayed composed, her eyes cool as she subtly noticed Theodore striding toward them with an increasingly dark look. She still played along, nodding to Farris. "We don't have much to talk about."

"I thought so," Farris said, a knowing tone creeping into his voice before he hesitated. "I mean-he is like that when he doesn't like someone... wait, I don't mean he dislikes you. I'm just worried that being with him might hurt you eventualy. He has this habit of shutting people out."

"So...are you saying he actually likes me?" Marissa's voice softened, tinged with curiosity.

Farris blinked, watching her lower her head, hands covering her face as if shy, and he panicked. "No, no! l never said that-he didn't tell me anything like that!"

Marissa dropped her hands, her gaze clear yet accusing. "You're lying, aren't you?"

"Of course not!" Farris protested, eyes lighting up with excitement as he leaned in slightly. "I just don't want you getting tricked by him. Why not choose me instead? I'll make you laugh. I'm way better than that cold cousin of mine."

"Would you really treat me better than he does?" Marissa's words came out soft, almost a whisper.

Farris took that as encouragement and stepped closer, his confidence growing as his hand moved toward her leg."Of course.I would treat you a thousand times better." Marissa's sudden laugh shattered the moment. "Shouldn't you ask your cousin about that first?"

Farris froze, every nerve in his body tightening as realization hit him. His back stiffened, and sweat began to bead on his forehead.

A chilling voice cut through the air behind him. "Did you think I was joking when I warned you?"

Theodore's cold words made Farris's blood run cold. A strong hand clamped onto his shoulder, jerking him upright. "You've got some nerve touching my woman."

Farris's face drained of color. His woman?

He turned to Marissa in disbelief, searching her expression for a sign that this was some sort of misunderstanding.

But she was still leaning casually against the wall, her lips curved into a knowing smile, eyes gleaming with quiet amusement.

Realization hit Farris like a slap. "You set me up?" he shouted, his voice trembling with frustration. "You knew he was coming and said those words on purpose!"

Marissa's gaze turned glacial, her tone sharp yet languid. "Weren't you the one who said you liked me?"

Hearing this, Theodore's grip on Farris tightened, his glare cutting deep enough to make Farris flinch.

Pain shot through Farris's shoulder, tears welling in his eyes as he struggled to speak. "Um, Theodore,please, let me explain..."

But Theodore didn't listen. He yanked him back harshly.