Chapter 202 The New Rich

Chapter 202: Chapter 202 The New Rich

​The Crane and Ashford families went back a long time, sharing social circles and corporate ties for over two decades.

​Because of that longstanding connection, Jade and Percy had essentially grown up side by side. They had been dragged to the same family garden parties, made to play in the same manicured courtyards as toddlers, and forced to pose together for countless awkward holiday family photos over the years.

​Percy had always been wild, reckless, and entirely hotheaded. By the time he turned fifteen, he had already been kicked out of three private prep academies for bad behavior. Before reaching his twenties, he was banned from four prominent country clubs in the city and had been picked up by local police twice for getting into bar fights.

​He was nothing like a typical well-mannered, quiet gentleman of high society. He was an absolute menace to everyone around him.

​Three years ago, Jade received her official acceptance letter into a prestigious art and design college.

​To mark the achievement, her family hosted a massive evening banquet at a high-end hotel ballroom, inviting all the influential families in their social circle. For the occasion, Jade had dressed up in a custom white formal dress that was elegant, tailored, and extremely expensive.

​When she walked into the brightly lit ballroom that night, she felt truly beautiful, proud, and confident in front of her peers.

​Then Percy showed up at the event completely out of his mind.

​He was heavily drunk, laughing loudly to himself as he stumbled blindly across the marble floor toward her. As he reached out to steady his balance, his fingers caught the delicate fabric of her designer gown, and he yanked downward with all his weight.

​The thin fabric tore open instantly with a sharp sound, ripping clean from her left shoulder all the way down to her waist. The lively chatter in the ballroom died in an instant, leaving the huge hall in absolute silence.

​Jade stood frozen on the spot, exposed and utterly humiliated as dozens of wealthy guests stared at her in shock.

​Instead of apologizing, Percy just laughed out loud and staggered away.

​The next morning, the Ashford family sent over a grand formal apology to her house.

​They delivered dozens of flower arrangements, high-value shopping cards, and an official written apology letter signed directly by Percy’s father.

​Jade, however, refused to accept a single bit of it.

​She carried a burning grudge against him for three full years after that night. Every single time his name came up or his face crossed her mind, she could still hear the sharp sound of her gown tearing and the echo of his drunk laughter in front of the crowd.

​From that day forward, she deliberately avoided his path, ignored his messages, and swore never to speak another word to him again.

​Yet here she was today, forced by circumstances to ask him for a favor.

​Jade stood quietly on the paved walkway right outside the restaurant entrance, her arms folded tightly across her chest and her expression stiff.

​Percy casually strolled over to her, leaving his bright red sports car idling right near the curb with its engine purring softly in the background.

​"Jade," he called out, his broad grin showing off bright white teeth. "It has been a long time since we last stood this close."

​Jade did not return the smile or soften her expression in the slightest.

​"I need a specific favor from you," she stated bluntly, cutting right through his friendly chatter.

​Percy raised his eyebrows in genuine surprise. "A favor from me? That is hilarious considering you have actively ignored my existence for three straight years."

​"Well, I am standing here speaking to you now," she replied coldly.

​"And what exactly brought about this sudden change of heart?"

​Jade took a deep, steadying breath. "I am currently working on a commercial interior design project for a new bubble tea shop. The theme revolves around rare collectible action figures, and we need help sourcing hard-to-find pieces. I need someone who actually knows the ins and outs of the collector world."

​Percy tilted his head slightly, taking a moment to process her words.

​"A collectible figure themed bubble tea venue?" he repeated.

​"Yes."

​"Honestly... that actually sounds remarkably cool."

​Jade completely ignored the compliment and kept her tone businesslike. "Are you able to assist us with your contacts or not?"

​Percy’s grin widened instantly. "For you, Jade? Of course I can."

​Jade narrowed her eyes as she stared at him, not trusting his fast agreement or that easy smirk for a single second.

​Still, she knew deep down that his extensive network was their best shot at pulling this project together on time.

​"There is one strict rule you must follow," she added firmly.

​Percy blinked. "What rule?"

​"Do not mention a single word about your family background to the women inside," Jade instructed, her voice dead serious. "Do not let slip that you are an Ashford."

​He looked at her, clearly puzzled. "And why should I hide who I am?"

​"Because I want them to treat you like a normal collaborator," Jade explained. "I do not want them feeling uncomfortable or acting strange just because you belong to one of the city’s three major wealthy clans."

​Percy studied her serious expression for a few seconds before letting out a rich, amused laugh.

​"Fine by me," he agreed cheerfully. "I will play the role of a mystery guest."

​Jade glanced past him toward the curb where his luxury vehicle was parked.

​The cherry-red paint job gleamed brightly under the noon sun, matched with polished custom rims and a loud exhaust.

​"You cannot pull up in a million-dollar sports car and expect anyone to believe you are just a regular guy," she pointed out, shaking her head.

​Percy looked over his shoulder at the vehicle, then turned back to her with a smirk. "Alright then, what kind of person should I pretend to be?"

​Jade thought about it for a second. "A newly rich guy. Someone who came into sudden money fast, acts a bit flashy and over the top, but clearly lacks the polished background of old family wealth."

​Percy chuckled softly. "Ah, so I am playing the flash nouveau riche type."

​"Precisely."

​He laughed again, running a hand through his styled hair. "Sounds easy enough. I can play that part comfortably."

​The glass doors opened, and Victor Grant stepped out onto the paved entrance steps.

​"Ms. Crane, Mr. Ashford," Victor addressed them politely with a respectful bow. "Your private dining room is ready. Please follow me inside."

​He guided them through the grand double doors, leading them past the busy main floor and down the private carpeted corridor toward the back suite.

​As they walked, Percy looked around the high-end decor, his sharp eyes taking in the details of the venue with casual curiosity.

​When they reached the end of the hall, Victor opened the door for them.

​Veyra was sitting near the large window, with Mia seated right beside her and Megan resting across the table.

​All three of them lifted their heads the moment Jade stepped through the doorway.

​And then their eyes landed directly on the tall young man walking in right behind her.

​Megan’s hands froze completely over her mobile phone screen.

​She had been casually scrolling through her feeds a second earlier, but now her eyes were glued to Percy—taking in his sharp jawline, his high-end clothes, and his artfully messy dark hair.

​Mia’s mouth opened slightly in surprise, though she quickly caught herself and smoothed her expression back to normal. Still, Veyra caught the momentary lapse clearly.

​There was no denying that Percy was unusually handsome. He possessed the striking, sharp features that naturally drew people’s eyes in any crowded room, accompanied by an effortless, bold confidence that made him hard to ignore.

​He walked straight into the private dining room without a hint of shyness and offered a friendly, relaxed wave.

​"Good afternoon, everyone," he greeted them smoothly. "My name is Percy."

​Mia and Megan quickly introduced themselves in response.

​Both of them were visibly flustered by his sudden presence, though they tried their best to sound friendly as they struck up a conversation. They asked him general questions about where he lived, what line of work he was in, and how he had come to know Jade.

​Percy answered every inquiry effortlessly, leaning into his charming personality. He kept his tone light, humorous, and self-deprecating, easily putting everyone at ease.

​Veyra, however, simply sat back and observed the interaction quietly.

​She did not show any flustered reaction, nor did she stare at his face or blush at his jokes.

​Instead, she simply evaluated him with a steady, quiet gaze—, aking in his relaxed posture, the deliberate rhythm of his words, and the sharp awareness hidden behind his casual eyes.

​It was obvious to her that this young man was far more layered than he let on. Behind his loud outfit and easygoing attitude, he was clearly hiding his true background.

​Percy picked up on her quiet scrutiny almost immediately.

​He noticed right away that while the other two women were visibly affected by his sudden appearance, Veyra remained completely unbothered. She did not giggle at his witty remarks, tilt her head nervously, or display any awkward shyness around him.

​She simply watched him with a calm, composed, and analytical expression.

​That kind of response was exceptionally rare in his daily life.

​Normally, whenever young women met him for the first time, they were immediately fixated on his handsome face, his luxury sports car, or his family’s massive fortune, always seeking to gain something from him.

​Veyra, on the other hand, was looking directly at him as if she were quietly turning the pages of a complex book, patiently figuring out the hidden plot behind his words.

​It was entirely fresh, completely different from what he was used to, and deeply intriguing to him.