From an observer's perspective, the sight of Cato and Charlie together was undeniably striking, their undeniable charm and magnetic presence drawing attention effortlessly. As two S-Class alphas, their commanding presence exuded an aura of confidence and allure, making it seem almost inevitable that they would captivate those around them.

"Have you seen them? The Vanderbilt's eldest daughter and the Alderbrandt's eldest son? They make quite the pair."

"They could pass for a couple..."

"With their looks, they're practically made for each other."

Whispers rippled through the crowd as they observed the duo seated at the corner table, their proximity and chemistry sparking speculation among onlookers. Indeed, with Cato's striking presence and Charlie's captivating beauty, it was easy to envision them as a perfectly matched couple, their compatibility evident to all who beheld them.

In reality, the dynamic between Cato and Charlie was far from the romantic speculation of onlookers. Their conversation crackled with a playful banter that belied any romantic tension-- at least in the eyes of Charlie.

"So, Cato, as I was saying... You better not transfer to Hastings!" Charlie asserted, her tone laced with a hint of warning.

Cato couldn't help but chuckle at Charlie's defiance, finding her indifference refreshing compared to other encounters he'd had with girls before. "But you make it sound like transferring to Hastings would be a riot. Your reaction piques my curiosity, Charlotte. Why so opposed to the idea?"

"I told you... You're not cut out for Hastings! It's a disaster waiting to happen!" Charlie insisted, her tone firm.

'I'll kick your if you go to Hastings!' she added mentally, though her outward demeanor remained composed.

"Hmm... I think I'll need more than just a warning from you to be convinced," Cato teased, his smirk evident in his voice.

'Come to think of it, Cato doesn't seem like a bad guy. He's really quite the protagonist type... He's nice, but I still can't let him take Serena. So, I'm sorry, brother,' Charlie thought silently, her resolve firm.

"Come on, brother... Don't you believe me? I might not look it, but I've got great psychic abilities!" Charlie continued, attempting to maintain her facade of seriousness.

Cato couldn't help but laugh at Charlie's assertion. 'Did she just call me brother?' he thought, amused by the unexpected turn of phrase. 'And psychic abilities? She's really something,' he mused silently.

"Hey, stop laughing! I'm serious!" Charlie protested, pouting in mock indignation.

"Okay, okay, fine! I'll take your warning into consideration, Charlotte," Cato relented, still chuckling at Charlie's antics.

"Just call me Charlie," she suggested with a smile.

"Okay then, Charlie," Cato agreed, returning her smile.

"Anyway, I should get going now. I need to find my friend," Charlie announced, preparing to leave. As she moved to depart, Cato gently caught hold of her arm.

"See you around, Charlie," he said softly.

"Huh? Y-yeah, see you," Charlie replied, her response hesitant.

'See you never again, brother,' Charlie thought wryly as she made her exit, leaving Cato to ponder the enigmatic girl he had just encountered.

After the encounter with Cato, Charlie made her way to look for Serena, navigating through the crowd with a sense of urgency. Despite the greetings and well-wishes from acquaintances along the way, Charlie offered only polite nods or smiles, her mind preoccupied with the thought of Serena potentially crossing paths with Cato. She couldn't shake the worry that a chance encounter might lead to Cato falling for Serena at first sight, a scenario reminiscent of the romantic tropes she had read about in the manhua. Determined to prevent any such mishap, Charlie hastened her steps, determined to find Serena before fate intervened in unexpected ways.

When Charlie finally spotted Serena, relief flooded through her, and she instinctively reached out to grab her hand, a warm smile gracing her lips. However, to her surprise, instead of the expected reciprocation, Serena greeted her with a frown, her expression clouded with evident displeasure. The unexpected reaction caught Charlie off guard, her smile faltering as she searched Serena's face for clues to the sudden change in demeanor.

"Why are you frowning? Are you okay?" Charlie asked, her brow furrowing with concern as she approached Serena.

"Where have you been?" Serena inquired, though her tone hinted that she already knew the answer.

"Oh, that... I was caught up talking with someone... hehe," Charlie replied casually, trying to downplay the situation.

"So... this someone... do you like him?" Serena's curiosity piqued, her eyes narrowing slightly.

"H-him?" Charlie stuttered, caught off guard by the directness of Serena's question.

"Did you see him?!!" Charlie's abrupt interruption caught Serena off guard, but she nodded in response.

"I did... I saw both of you talking in the corner... laughing... it looked like you were enjoying his company..." Serena's observation hung in the air, leaving Charlie feeling exposed.

"W-what? Enjoy what? D-did you see his face?! Front view?!" Charlie's voice rose slightly, betraying her unease.

"No... I didn't see his face completely..." Serena admitted, her own discomfort evident.

"Good! He's not good looking at all! Can't keep the conversation going! Terrible manners!" Charlie's exaggerated response was met with a small smile from Serena, who found relief in her antics, easing the jealousy that had begun to stir within her.

'It seems like she's not interested to him at all.." Serena smiled.

"But... he can be considered a modest gentleman.." Charlie's attempt to be fair only seemed to deepen Serena's frown.

"So what do you think of him? You think he's interesting?" Charlie persisted, hoping to glean some insight from Serena's reaction.

"How would I know? I wasn't the one who spent most of the night with him..." Serena's reply was tinged with a hint of defensiveness, prompting Charlie to notice the familiar scent of sour pheromones emanating from Serena once again.

"Serena, your pheromones are