The flawless, courteous smile on Catherine's face froze ever so slightly.
A flicker of surprise passed through the depths of her azure eyes.
Why would Vivian Kahn take the initiative to turn him down on Greg Sass's behalf?
This did not fit her projections at all.
Though doubts crowded her mind, Catherine maintained her composed, gracious expression.
She showed no sign of offense or displeasure. She merely tilted her head slightly and looked at Vivian with just the right measure of puzzlement and respect, asking softly:
"Your Highness Vivian, if I may ask... why are you declining on his behalf...?"
Her tone remained respectful and polite, but she tossed the question straight back to Vivian. It was also a veiled probe-I want to know what gives you the right to make this decision for him.
Vivian met Catherine's gaze calmly with her ice-blue eyes and replied:
"Because he is now a Disciplinary Committee Member of the Student Council. At this hour, he needs to report to the Student Council and begin preparing for today's work. If you need him for anything else, you can make separate arrangements once his Student Council duties are finished."
Her reasoning sounded both sufficient and legitimate.
It explained her authority to decline on his behalf while offering Catherine a graceful way out through "separate arrangements." On the surface, there was nothing to criticize.
Listening beside them, Greg felt the corner of his mouth twitch almost imperceptibly.
"Right... so she just doesn't want another capitalist dragging off her workhorse during working hours..."
The little spark of unrealistic hope that had just risen in him was instantly snuffed out, and he mocked himself inwardly.
Still, he was relieved to escape Catherine's invitation for the time being.
Meanwhile, the surrounding students, who had been straining their ears and