“It’s none of those reasons! I don’t love you. It has nothing to do with your money or your abilities at all. I don’t love you, pure and simple. You can go now. I’m begging you, please don’t embarrass me like that ever again, OK?” I’d only ever been exposed to the sunny, endearing side of Stella. Thus, I was rather startled to see that she was capable of such harshness as well.
I dragged Anthony with me out of the lobby, then sighed longingly. “After so many years at university, no one has ever confessed their love to me so grandly before. It only works if the person you’re proposing to love you back, of course. But I rather like this heady rush of emotions and romance.”
Anthony’s grip on my arm tightened slightly. “What do you like?”
Glancing at his sober expression, I laughed. “I like the impulsive, romantic ways of these youths. Since we’ve gotten older, I haven’t been feeling many strong bursts of emotions. Life doesn’t seem as exciting anymore.”
Upon that, Anthony pulled me to face him. Gravely, he asked, “Are you tired of me because I’m old?”
Is Anthony approaching menopause? I wondered wryly.
I smacked my forehead in exaggerated frustration. “I didn’t say you were old. I meant that I admired youths for their wholehearted and energetic approach to life. I’ve been motivated to live my days in the same way, rather than always dragging my feet around. Ugh… Stop twisting my words!”
Anthony waggled an eyebrow at me. “What wholehearted and energetic things do you plan on doing?”
Instantly, I became speechless at his words. I should have known better than to talk about things like romance with an old pedant like him.
After a while, I laughed a little too brightly. “Let’s not dwell on such things! It’s getting late, and John should have already arrived. We shouldn’t make him wait.”
I then wrenched my hand away from Anthony’s steel grip and forcefully terminated the conversation.
A question lingered in my mind, however. Stella’s blushing, rosy face resurfaced in my mind, and I couldn’t help but ponder. Does Stella already have someone she loves? Is that why she rejected Justin?
At that time, John had indeed already reached the restaurant and was midway through his meal. Looking at the half-eaten dishes spread out over the table, as well as the nearly empty bottle of wine, I cried ruefully, “Mr. Stanhope, you’re really getting more and more impolite.”
John looked at me in amusement and sniggered. Then he called for a waiter to bring another round of dishes. “I had to fill my stomach first before the sight of you two behaving all lovey-dovey made me nauseous.”
I shook my head wordlessly at John, then sidled into the seat opposite him. “How’s Uncle Louis?” I asked.
John shrugged. He filled Anthony’s glass with wine, then answered, “There’s no concrete evidence. His superiors are biased against him. Uncle Louis has always lived an open, honest life. All the ammunition that those green-eyed monsters have against him are their own baseless rumors. There’s nothing for them to uncover. Uncle Louis should be able to return within a few days.”
I nodded. The waiter laid out another round of dishes, and we tucked in eagerly. Anthony and John fervently discussed the state of the market between glasses of wine. I had planned on asking John about his relationship with Hannah but refrained as Anthony disapproved of gossip.
Midway through the meal, I rose to go to the bathroom. When I emerged from the stall, I heard a woman’s voice saying, “Don’t you pity Rylee? Her ex-boyfriend got stolen from her, and now her current partner’s cheating on her. She’s really unlucky!”
Another voice answered, “I don’t know about that, but I heard Mr. Quinn’s woman used to be with Mr. Crest. Clearly, Mr. Quinn isn’t too picky. After all, he’s even willing to accept his friend’s hand-me- downs! It’s strange, but there you have it.”
“That’s right. Don’t forget, Rylee was tossed aside after Mr. Featherstone got tired of her too. These rich people have no morals at all. They treat women and clothing alike, to be used and then cast away.”
I furrowed my brow, looking over at those two women airily gossiping away. Judging by their elaborate outfits and appearance, they were probably socialites. I wasn’t part of that circle and naturally didn’t like to concern myself with their affairs.
Yet, I was bothered by what those two women had just said.
Mr. Crest? Jared?
Had he ever taken a woman for a ride? Who was it?
No one came to mind. However, Joe was practically groveling at Rylee’s feet, so deep was his affection for her. Having gotten this opportunity to prove himself to her, why had Joe ended up offending her instead?
Bang! My deep reverie was abruptly interrupted by the sound of a door being flung open. A woman dressed entirely in black strode out from a stall.
I automatically looked up, then started in surprise.
Kristina? Isn’t she in W City? Why did she come back?
Our eyes met. A glimmer of hesitation appeared in Kristina’s gaze before she looked away. Sauntering towards the sink, she asked icily, “Don’t you think it’s a joke?”
I was momentarily taken aback by Kristina’s sudden confrontation and grasped for a reply. Finally, I said, “I’m not a fan of getting involved in other people’s drama.”
Kristina sniggered. She dried her hands and leaned against the sink, her arms akimbo. Gazing intently at me, she scoffed, “Don’t act so high and mighty. You were clearly eavesdropping. If you want to laugh, go ahead. I don’t care.”
Nonetheless, I merely clenched my jaw and turned away. I had nothing to say to Kristina.
Seeing that I was planning on ignoring her, Kristina raised her voice and challenged, “Haven’t we been friends for a long time, Sienna? Why are you in such a hurry to leave? Since we’ve bumped into each other, let’s spend some time catching up. How can you walk off like that? By the way, how’s Jared’s daughter doing? He’s been in prison for a while now. His daughter should be missing him quite a bit.”
I frowned, then turned and stared Kristina down. “Kristina, I don’t know what your outlook on life is like. I know, however, that we’re not the same. Since you’ve already found someone, please live out the rest of your life peacefully. Stop interfering in others’ business! Besides, Summer is my daughter. Jared isn’t good enough for her, and neither are you. If you do anything to her, I guarantee that you’ll spend the rest of your life miserable.”
Kristina threw her head back and guffawed. “Are you threatening me now? I’m not interested in Summer. I was merely trying to be kind and remind you that things aren’t that simple. I thought Jared would confess everything to you at least, but it seems now that he fully intended on keeping you in the dark. If that’s the case, I’ll keep my mouth shut as well. It seems that no one appreciates it.”
At that moment, I could hear the edge in Kristina’s voice. Bemused, I asked, “What do you mean by that?”
However, Kristina waved my concern off dismissively. “Nothing! I’ll be off then. See you around, Mrs. Featherstone!”
She then sauntered off with a clack of her high heels. I remained rooted to the spot, gazing after her absently. Though unwilling, I had to admit that what Kristina had said threw me off slightly. I was still taking our conversation apart and puzzling it over in my head as I slowly exited the bathroom.
In fact, I was so utterly occupied with my thoughts that I didn’t notice Anthony waiting out in the hallway. Walking straight into his arms, I gave a loud yelp, but it was already muffled by his broad arms and chest encircling me. I then looked up at him in a slight daze. “Why are you here?”
Anthony reached out and brushed my hair aside tenderly. “I was worried that something had happened to you, so I came over. What’s wrong? You look shellshocked.”
I shook my head vigorously, partially to clear the thoughts that were clamoring in my brain. “It’s nothing. I ran into someone I know. Let’s go back and continue with dinner!”
After that, I yanked Anthony back in the direction of our table. As we walked past a private room, there suddenly came the sound of glass violently shattering. Anthony and I both froze and peered in. Seated around a table was a group of middle-aged young people, as well as one familiar face.
I gaped at Anthony, then whispered tentatively, “Is that Joe?”
Anthony pressed his lips into a thin line but said nothing.
We were just in time. As we watched, a woman with her back towards us vehemently slapped Kristina, who was sitting beside Joe. It sounded like the cracking of a whip. At the same time, Anthony and I instinctively winced from the sound of it.
Kristina, however, showed no discernible sign of weakness. She merely gave a dry laugh and gazed back at her assailant defiantly. Her hands moved to clutch Joe’s arm as if holding onto a trophy.
This move clearly enraged the other woman even further. She raised her hand in the air, prepared to deal a second blow.
“Isn’t this exciting? Mr. Quinn, how’s your food?” Unable to witness this any further, I charged into the room with Anthony in tow.
At the sound of my voice, the entire room turned towards me. The face of Kristina’s attacker was now visible. I realized, perturbed, that it was Rylee.
Rylee’s eyes widened slightly when she saw Anthony beside me, then hurriedly composed herself. She now rearranged her features in a pitiful expression, looking every bit like a defenseless victim. “Anth, why are you here?” Rylee whined.
Anthony glanced at her, then announced curtly, “To eat.” With his brows furrowed, he looked at Joe, then at Kristina, who was still holding onto Joe’s arm tightly.
“What’s going on?” Anthony demanded.
Joe said easily, “We’re having a meal together. It’s nothing much.”
“What do you mean, nothing much? Joe, just be honest with me about what you’re planning to do. Don’t make me sick by flirting with all these other whores,” Rylee retorted, her voice trembled with barely suppressed anger.
Kristina was not one to be beaten. She bellowed at Rylee, “You’d better watch your mouth! What whores? And how much better do you think you are?”
The two women looked strained, and they were ready to fly at each other. At that, I bit my lip and said calmly, “That’s one hell of a meal. You’ll have the entire restaurant in here at the rate you’re shouting at each other. Mr. Quinn, don’t you think you’re airing your dirty laundry a little too publicly? Aren’t you ashamed of yourself?”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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