The Rebirth of The Hidden Goddess

With an expression that said "I understand," Niles cleared his throat awkwardly. "Sorry to interrupt, please continue..."

"Hey! Wait! You there!" Eileen Stevens tried to call for help, but Lynx Black had already dashed away. She sighed in frustration, "Why didn't you stop him?"

Niles Hawke relaxed his grip and replied, "It's done."

Eileen finally felt free. She stood up straight and brushed her hair back, revealing a scar on her right cheek. Niles glanced at it, his brow furrowing slightly.

Eileen quickly tucked her hair to cover the scar and said, "Mr. Hawke, are you sure you want to go out for dinner? My face isn't exactly a sight to behold. Maybe I should just send a gift instead?"

"Up to you," Niles replied.

Eileen wasn't quite sure what "up to you" meant, so she simply nodded and said, "Alright, I'll take my leave then."

Just as she turned to go, Niles asked, "Which 'Mu' are you referring to?"

Eileen paused, realizing he meant her surname. "It's Eileen Bates, as in the 'Mu' of Eileen Bates."

She thought to herself that her name sounded much nicer as Eileen Bates, but now she could only be called Eileen Stevens.

She returned to the banquet hall, where most of the guests had already arrived. Caelan Cooper stood at the edge of the staircase, his face pale with anger, while Myrtle Stevens held his arm with a look of concern, whispering words of comfort. Eileen Stevens ignored them, her face burning with embarrassment as she just wanted to find a cold drink to cool off.

In the garden, Lynx Black sneaked over and asked, "Where's Ms. Stevens?"

"She ran off," Niles Hawke replied, lighting a cigarette with a smirk on his lips. Lynx Black scrutinized him and asked, "You're not actually falling for her, are you? Think it through!"

"Just tell me what you found out," Niles said, taking a drag from his cigarette.

Lynx adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses and said, "This Miss Stevens, she lost her mother at a young age and has been a punching bag in the Stevens family. With her engagement to Caelan Cooper, she's basically just a pawn in a business marriage!"

Niles furrowed his brow. He had only considered Eileen Stevens's mediocre treatment in the Stevens family, but he hadn't realized there were so many complications behind her situation.

He tossed the half-burned cigarette onto the ground, stepping on it with his leather shoes to extinguish it. "Is that all? How did you get that scar on your face?"

Lynx Black took a sip of red wine and replied, "I heard that when he was a teenager, he went out with Caelan Cooper and got into a minor car accident. Apparently, he got the scar from glass shards while trying to protect Caelan."

"The Stevens couple happened to be on a business trip, and Eileen Stevens didn't receive timely medical attention. The wound was deep, so it left a scar. I took a glance at it yesterday, and it definitely looked like an old injury."

"Can it be removed?" Niles Hawke asked again.

Lynx Black shook his head. "It's hard to say. It's been a few years, and it's on his face. I only caught a glimpse of it, so I can't be sure."

Niles Hawke nodded, not pressing the issue further. "Let's head inside."

The two returned to the banquet hall and settled into a corner sofa. Niles Hawke glanced over and spotted Eileen Stevens nestled on the couch, sipping juice in small, delicate sips, looking adorable and charming.

He thought to himself, without that scar, she would be a top-tier beauty.

Unfortunately, such a gem was hidden beneath rough stone, and no one seemed to notice her worth.

Lynx Black followed his gaze and said, "I heard that the Stevens family has two sisters, and both of them are quite good-looking."

Niles Hawke took a sip of red wine and said meaningfully, "There's a world of difference."

As the two chatted, more people had already stepped onto the dance floor. Myrtle Stevens approached Niles with a highball glass in hand and softly said, "Mr. Hawke, it's rare for you to be here. My grandfather has been thinking of you. How about staying for a late-night snack after the party?"

Myrtle thought to herself that since her grandfather valued the Hawke family so much, if she and Caelan Cooper could win over Niles Hawke, her grandfather would surely support them.

Niles squinted slightly, glancing toward the corner where Eileen Stevens was sipping her drink. A playful look crossed his face as he replied, "Late-night snack?"

Seeing Niles' expression, Myrtle felt a surge of confidence. She nodded eagerly, "Yes, it's just a small gathering and will wrap up soon. With Mr. Hawke here, our Stevens family must host you properly."

Niles turned his head to look at Eileen Stevens, who was playfully sipping through a straw, her eyes glancing at Myrtle with a knowing look. It seemed she was still hung up on their earlier argument from lunchtime.

The guests around them were secretly watching the scene unfold. Myrtle Stevens was well-known in their social circle for her beauty, while Niles Hawke was infamous throughout the coastal city for his disinterest in women.

Now, with Myrtle publicly inviting Niles to stay for a late-night snack, if he accepted, it would be a huge deal!

Niles leaned back slightly, his tailored suit pants hugging his long legs perfectly. He parted his thin lips and said, "Come here."

Myrtle was taken aback, feeling a flutter of nerves. Although she had deep feelings for Caelan Cooper, Niles was top-notch in every aspect—his presence, wealth, and looks were unmatched!

As the man lounged casually on the sofa, his magnetic voice beckoned her closer. She found herself stepping forward, her cheeks flushed with shyness.

Lynx Black suddenly cleared his throat, causing Niles to frown at Myrtle. He raised a hand, gesturing for her to move aside.

Confused, Myrtle stepped aside, following Niles's gaze to see Eileen Stevens sipping through a straw.

Niles then said again, "Come here."

Eileen Stevens blinked in surprise, pointing at herself. "Me?"

Niles Hawke nodded. Eileen walked over, still confused, and asked, "What's up?"

"Want to grab a late-night snack?" Niles asked.

Caught off guard by the random question, Eileen shook her head. "No, thanks."

Niles didn't seem bothered. He turned to Myrtle Stevens and replied, "No snack."

Myrtle's face instantly flushed red. After inviting them so sweetly, all her efforts went to waste because Eileen said no?

"Mr. Hawke, I—"

"Is there something else?" Niles interrupted, his tone displeased.

Myrtle shrank back under his gaze, shaking her head. "No... nothing else..."

Seeing that there was nothing more to discuss, Eileen turned to leave. Myrtle quickly followed, gritting her teeth and saying, "Eileen, don't get too cocky!"

Eileen nodded. "Okay."

"You!"

Eileen Stevens sighed, speaking earnestly. "Myrtle Stevens, what do you want? You want Caelan Cooper? Fine, I'll step aside for you. I've already said I'm not interested anymore, so why are you still so angry?"

"Don't you get tired of being this upset every day? You look like a pufferfish. Does Caelan Cooper really like that?"

"Eileen Stevens! Who are you calling a pufferfish?" Myrtle Stevens was even angrier now.

Eileen sighed again. "Getting worked up is bad for your health, really bad for your health..."

As she walked forward, Myrtle, unable to contain her frustration, stepped on Eileen's skirt, determined to make her stumble. But to her surprise, the skirt didn't budge at all.

Eileen stopped in her tracks, turning to glare at Myrtle with a piercing look. "Myrtle Stevens, I'm speaking to you calmly because I'm not afraid of you. You'd better tone it down!"

Myrtle, taken aback, quickly withdrew her foot and shook her head innocently. "Sorry, sis, I didn't mean to step on your skirt. Please don't be mad..."

"Myrtle!" Caelan Cooper approached, pulling Myrtle behind him, looking at Eileen with disdain. "What are you doing? Are you bullying Myrtle again?"

After everything that happened today, Caelan Cooper felt he had seen through Eileen Stevens. Deep down, she was just a woman who belittled herself!

Eileen opened her mouth to speak, but before she could say anything, Caelan fired off like a machine gun, "Eileen, stop making a scene. I could never marry someone like you!"

"I already made it clear to your uncle and aunt that I want to back out of this marriage. I only want Myrtle in my life; I don't want anyone else. Stop dreaming!"

"Caelan, please don't say that about your sister…" Myrtle Stevens tugged at Caelan's sleeve.

Caelan placed a hand on Myrtle's shoulder and replied, "Myrtle, if I don't set things straight with her, she'll keep clinging on. She's not like you; she doesn't understand."

"Caelan, my feelings for you are sincere.

It's my fault for not controlling my emotions; I'm the one to blame…"

"Myrtle, you're just too kind! Always thinking of others!"

As they exchanged words back and forth, Eileen Stevens had no patience for their little performance. She coldly interrupted, "Alright, you two stars, have you finished your act? Can you step aside now?"

Caelan Cooper shot a disgusted glance at Eileen Stevens before turning on his heel and walking away. Myrtle Stevens smirked at Eileen, leaning in to whisper, "You ugly freak, you'll never outshine me!"

Her innocent face hid a venomous glint in her eyes.

"Oh really?" Eileen Stevens replied with a sweet smile, subtly extending her foot to firmly step on the hem of Myrtle's skirt with her high heel!