Chapter 447

Tiffany Sinclair's lips curved into a perfectly polite smile, her gaze as calm as still water.

Her slender fingers rested lightly on the champagne flute, exuding effortless grace.

Julian Valdemar found himself inexplicably unsettled by those clear almond-shaped eyes.

Their startling purity stirred a long-buried memory within him.

"Thank you for your understanding, Miss Sinclair." He quickly composed himself with a courteous nod.

Tiffany inclined her head slightly, her smile not reaching those fathomless eyes.

Beside them, Adrian Valdemar stood with a thunderous expression.

"Get lost if you're done." His voice dripped with undisguised hostility. "I'm not here to entertain your theatrics."

Julian merely shook his head in resignation, accustomed to his younger brother's temper.

"I should bid farewell to Alexander."

Taking Jasmine Keane's hand, he turned to leave. The girl's eyes glistened with unshed tears, her nails digging crescent moons into her palms.

Jasmine seethed with humiliation.

Adrian's public slight stung, but Julian's silence hurt more.

What infuriated her most was Julian's noticeably different demeanor toward that Sinclair heiress.

Across the ballroom, Alexander Valdemar had just concluded his conversation with several business magnates.

Sophia Laurent sat alone in the lounge area, scrolling through her phone.

"Sister-in-law."

She looked up to see Julian approaching with a teary-eyed Jasmine.

"Julian." Sophia pocketed her phone, her gaze flickering between the pair.

"Adrian's throwing another tantrum," Julian offered with a wry smile.

Sophia understood immediately.

Adrian's inexplicable animosity toward Jasmine had become legendary.

"You know how he is. Don't take it personally."

"Of course." Julian's tone remained gentle.

Their fraternal bond, forged through shared childhood, was impervious to outsiders.

Sophia studied Julian thoughtfully.

The Valdemar brothers were studies in contrast.

Alexander was a drawn sword—razor-sharp yet disciplined.

Julian resembled polished jade—unassuming yet invaluable.

Adrian burned like wildfire—all passion and no restraint.

"This must be Miss Keane?" Sophia broke the silence.

Julian blinked as if remembering his companion. "Yes, Jasmine. Last time—"

He trailed off awkwardly.

The memory of being tricked by Adrian into asking Sophia for money still made him cringe.