My Reborn Admirer Wins Over My Heart (Oriana) novel Chapter 259

Chapter 259 A Real Playboy

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They noticed her sitting alone with a drink and assumed she was drowning her sorrows, so they walked over to strike up a conversation.

Zara didn’t even glance at those men.

She might have come to enjoy herself, but she wasn’t careless–she’d slipped the doorman a generous tip before entering, instructing him to keep an eye on her. Velvet Midnight attracted plenty of powerful patrons; no one here would risk crossing the line.

Her gaze wandered across the crowd–and then her

Well, well. A familiar face?

lit eyes up.

Even through the throng on the dance floor, Zara’s sharp eyes picked out a head of colorful hair and striking features she’d seen before. It was unmistakably Kenny Caldwell.

She took a slow sip of her drink, her eyes fixed on him. The two well–dressed men sitting beside her noticed her attention shift and exchanged knowing glances.

One leaned in with a smile.

“Miss,” he said, “you’ve got your eye on Mr. Kenny Caldwell, haven’t you?”

His tone hinted that there was a story there–and he was eager to tell it.

Zara arched an eyebrow, finally turning to face him. The man, pleased to have captured her interest, brightened instantly and began to talk.

“You know the Caldwell family, right? In Jindiwood, they’re as powerful as it gets.” He lifted a thumb in admiration.

“The eldest son and his wife passed away years ago. The entire group’s in the hands of the second son now–Mr. Cordell Caldwell. That one out there,” he nodded toward the dance floor, “is Cordell’s boy, Kenny. He’s practically next in line to inherit the Caldwell empire.”

He leaned a little closer, lowering his voice. “Don’t be fooled by his age–he’s got quite the temper. A real playboy. Everyone in Jindiwood knows his name, but not everyone dares to ‘play‘ with him. Especially women… not one’s ever managed to tame him.”

He stopped just short of telling her not to waste her time–that the man was out of her league.

Zara hadn’t expected that a random night out for drinks would turn into an impromptu gossip session about the Caldwells.

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12:05 Thu, Dec 25

Chapter 259 A Real Playboy

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So Kenny, the so–called flirt, might not be as careless as people thought—but the Caldwell family dynamics sounded far from simple.

Cordell, Kenny… and what about Micah?

Would that mean Oriana was at a disadvantage?

Zara’s mind raced, spinning a scene straight out of the overbearing–CEO novels she loved–a web of family power struggles and hidden rivalries.

Resting her chin in her hand, she asked curiously, “What about Mr. Micah Caldwell?”

The man blinked, surprised. From her accent, he could tell she wasn’t local, and he hadn’t expected her to know that much. After a brief pause, he gave a knowing smile.

“Without parents,” he said, “how can anyone compete with a whole, united family? Mr. Micah Caldwell had long since been stripped of his authority.”

As he spoke, the man reached for Zara’s arm, but she turned away with a sneer and leaned back, effortlessly dodging his touch.

“Some people know how to keep a low profile and wait for the right moment. What would you know about that?” she said coolly.

The man’s hand grasped only air. His face flushed with embarrassment, and when he caught the hint of mockery in Zara’s expression, his temper flared.

n it,” he muttered under his breath, “just because she’s pretty, she thinks she’s all that.” With that, he stormed off, fuming.

Zara,

Cased to finally be left alone, sipped her drink in peace.

Every now and then, her gaze drifted toward Kenny.

After a while, his drinking buddies–laughing drunkenly and leaning on each other–began to stagger out, one by one, until Kenny was left alone.

With his gaudy, multicolored hair, he tried to stand but immediately dropped back into his seat with a dull thud. Zara caught the scene and smirked to herself.

“Pathetic. Can’t hold his liquor,” she murmured.

The few bottles on her own table wouldn’t have even made her light–headed.

Shaking her head in disdain, she picked up another glass of the vivid blue cocktail and drained it.

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12:05 Thu, Dec 25 D D.

Chapter 259 A Real Playboy

“Give me your strongest.”

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Just then, a woman in a skimpy, low–cut mini dress slid onto the stool beside her and leaned on the counter.

“Clara, who’s the drink for this time?” the bartender asked casually.

Clara Martin’s lips curved into a knowing, seductive smile. “Adult business,” she purred. “Kids shouldn’t get involved.”

Moments later, the bartender slid a glass of dark brown liquor toward her.

Without hesitation, Clara pulled a small packet from her purse, tore it open, and emptied its contents into the drink, swirling it.

Zara blinked in disbelief.

People really did this kind of thing out in the open now?

“What are you looking at? Velvet Midnight belongs to me. You got a problem with that?” Clara snapped.

Then, with a haughty snort, Clara picked up the glass and sauntered into the crowd, her hips swaying to the rhythm of the music.

Zara’s brow furrowed as she turned to the bartender. “You’re just going to let her do that?”

The bartender didn’t even blink. “Clara’s one of Velvet Midnight’s investors. And you know how strict Jindiwood is about places like this–she wouldn’t risk her own business for a prank, would she?”

Zara had no comeback for that.

Still, she couldn’t stop watching Clara, curious–and uneasy–about who the woman’s target might be.

To her shock, Clara was heading straight for Kenny. Seriously? Kenny?

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