Page 112 of King of Ruin

"Then why?"

Elise met her gaze.

There was no embarrassment in her expression. No attempt to justify herself.

"I am with him because I love him."

For several seconds, the room went completely silent.

Then Astrid's face changed.

A look of disbelief slowly crossed her features, followed by something dangerously close to disgust. She stared at Elise as though she had just heard the most ridiculous thing imaginable.

"You..."

She let out a short breath, shaking her head.

"You are such a lovesick fool."

Her words were blunt, almost careless.

"Who in this day and age stays with a man just because they love him?"

The disbelief in her voice was impossible to miss.

Astrid folded her arms tighter across her chest and looked down at Elise with a confidence that bordered on arrogance.

"You know, I come from a very rich and powerful french family." She lifted her chin slightly as she spoke, clearly proud of where she came from. "My mother runs our company, and my grandmother was the one who built it from nothing. One day, I will take over everything."

She paused, adjusting the sleeve of her dress with effortless elegance.

"My mother only wants me to complete the formality of marriage first so that everything is settled before I take control."

A faint, dismissive smile appeared on her lips.

"But I'm not going to marry just anyone." She brushed a strand of hair away from her shoulder, her expression making it clear that she considered the matter obvious. "I won't waste my future on some ordinary man who has nothing to offer me. If I am going to marry someone, he has to be worthy of me."

Her gaze shifted toward Elise again.

"And in this country, Xavier Chen is one of the few men who actually fits that standard."

There was no hesitation in her voice.

"His influence, his power, his connections... everything he has can help my family's company expand. From France to Manhattan, there are countless opportunities waiting for someone with the right position."

She gave a small shrug, as though the answer was simply common sense.

"So why wouldn't I choose a marriage that benefits both of us? Isn't that the logical thing to do?"

As she continued speaking, her eyes slowly returned to Elise.

She narrowed them slightly, studying the woman who sat before her so calmly.

Then a proud smile touched her lips.

"My goal is simple."

She lifted her chin slightly, her confidence returning as she folded her arms more firmly across her chest.