Chapter 542

Chapter 542:

He could tell Rayden had his eyes on Ashton, but Luther wasn’t going to let that stop him. If Ashton were to steal the spotlight now, Luther’s chances with Alisha—already slim—would only fade further.

Determined to curry favor with Rayden, Luther resolved to seize the moment. If he couldn’t win Alisha’s heart, at least he could work his way into Rayden’s good graces, hoping that would pave the way.

Without waiting for a response, Luther eagerly pushed through the crowd to stand before Rayden. His face shone with excitement, fully expecting to be the center of attention.

Seeing Luther’s overeager demeanor, Rayden felt a twinge of frustration ripple through him. Didn’t this Cruz boy see who he really wanted?

Rayden sighed inwardly, keeping a composed expression as he decided to completely ignore Luther’s offer.

The entire scene grew strangely tense and silent, as if an invisible hand had stilled the air.

The crowd, though unaware of the underlying tension, could feel the weight of Rayden’s silence, a clear sign of his unwillingness to share the honor of cutting the cake with Luther.

As a result, those who had been showering Luther with praise for his youthful achievements suddenly chose to remain silent.

Luther, oblivious to the situation, reveled in the compliments that flowed his way, completely unaware of the crowd’s reactions.

He fixated on Ashton, wearing a self-satisfied smirk, as if the two were engaged in a silent duel where victory was already his. In Luther’s eyes, slicing the cake alongside Rayden was tantamount to winning his endorsement.

With Rayden on his side, the thought of winning Alisha’s heart seemed within reach.

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The mere idea sparked a fire of excitement in Luther’s chest. Alisha’s beauty was a radiant beacon, mesmerizing him and feeding his daydreams.

As these thoughts swirled through his mind, a triumphant grin spread across his face as he strode toward Rayden.

Rayden, taken aback by Luther’s expression, couldn’t shake the feeling that he was being regarded by a rogue. Yet, bound by decorum and his ties to the Cruz family, Rayden swallowed his unease and chose diplomacy.

Clearing his throat awkwardly, he sidestepped the tension. “Come on, Luther, you’re practically family. If you help me, it might appear as though I’m neglecting our other guests.” Turning to Ashton, he added, “Mr. Baldwin, it’s a rare honor to have you here. Would you do us the kindness of cutting the cake with me?”

Luther, who had been basking in his own glory, was caught off guard.

He had arrived first, even standing right in front of Rayden, yet the chance was handed to Ashton?

Ashton had been contemplating lending a hand from the start, so now that the invitation was offered, he couldn’t possibly turn it down.

With a charming smile, he brushed past Luther and made his way to Rayden, declaring, “How could I refuse such a generous invitation?”

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