I Chose Me Over My Marriage novel Chapter 217

Lyra turned her head and was met with Preston's smiling face.

She didn't know who Preston was.

To be fair, only the absolute top-tier elites in Averston actually recognized him on sight.

Ezekiel Gardner despised how Preston's reckless behavior dragged the family name through the mud, so he had strictly banned him from using the Gardner title at public events.

Catching the total lack of recognition in Lyra's eyes, Preston raised his champagne glass in a smooth salute.

"I haven't seen you around Averston before. I'm guessing you're not from around here."

He was laying the charm on thick.

Lyra replied coolly, "I'm not."

And she had zero desire to get tangled up in Averston's drama, either.

Preston raised an eyebrow. "Then you're from..."

Lyra didn't answer. Instead, she shot back, "Where I'm from is none of your business, is it?"

Clearly not expecting to be shut down so brutally, Preston's smile twitched.

"There's no need to be so hostile, is there? The fact that we crossed paths here means fate brought us together. Why not at least introduce ourselves?"

At this point, even though Lyra still didn't know exactly who he was, a few names were already bouncing around in her head.

He had to be one of the notorious playboys from the local elite circles.

She just couldn't put a name to the face.

"Because I have zero interest in knowing you."

Lyra's response was razor-sharp, leaving him no room to save face.

But since they were in Averston, and she might bump into him at future events, she decided to dial it back just a fraction.

"I'm sure there are plenty of women here dying to know a guy like you."

She just wasn't going to be one of them.

Preston's expression had turned murderous after her first sentence, but her little add-on managed to smooth his bruised ego slightly.

It was Marcus.

Hearing the title 'Mr. Gardner' drop from his mouth, Lyra froze. The puzzle pieces instantly clicked into place.

Preston Gardner, the infamous trainwreck of the Gardner Family.

And incidentally, Maxwell's partner in crime.

Staring at the unwelcome interruption, Preston scowled. "And who the hell are you?"

"Let me introduce myself. My last name is Sterling. I'm from Metropolis."

"Sterling."

The moment he muttered the name, Preston knew exactly who he was dealing with.

But his attention quickly pivoted back to Lyra.

"Who are you? What's your name?"

Lyra raised a brow, a knowing smile blooming on her lips.