The loud noise of the cup dropping onto the floor and caught everyone’s attention in the room, including Lyle’s. “Sorry about that, my hand slipped. Carry on.” I waved emotionlessly.
“Eve, what a coincidence! I didn’t know you’d be here!” Crystal flashed a sweet and innocent smile. Yet, I was nowhere near pleased to see my kin. That smiled had made me suffer so much. I was not loved by anyone in the Tanner family. Heck, even the housekeepers would bully me, and it was all because of her.
The crowd looked at one another as the atmosphere turned awkward. Lyle’s expression dropped into a disgusted grimace as he stared at me like an uninvited guest. “Why’re you here?” he asked coldly.
I ran my fingers through my hair and answered casually, “I had a business meeting somewhere around here, so I decided to stop by.”
“Oh, really? I thought you were on a manhunt, judging from your outfit. Bet you were probably out seeking for a companion.” Benjamin sneered.
“For the love of God, Benjamin! Watch what you’re saying!” Sabrina snapped. She slammed her cup on the table and was ready to argue with him. Seeing that, I quickly held her back and shook my head, signaling her to stop. I then glanced sideways to observe Lyle’s reaction.
He had always been like this. That man, whom I called “husband,” would never defend me whenever Benjamin ridiculed or said harsh things to me. I lowered my gaze and stared at the cup before raising my head and replied, “Just so you know, my husband prepared this outfit and the contract in my purse. So perhaps the ‘companion’ that you mentioned earlier was also prepared by him.”
“How would I know that-”
“Benjamin!” Lyle interrupted while looking at me, wide-eyed as if he was shocked by my insult. He had never seen this side of me as I’d never shown him my true self. After all, I’d always been very careful around him as I always behave like a lowly ant.
“Cut it out, you guys. We don’t always have the chance to get together like this. Besides, I believe Eve isn’t like that,” Crystal chimed in.
However, she made things worse by saying that. My expression hardened at her words as everyone looked at each other awkwardly.
Moments later, the awkward feeling quickly went away as everyone shifted their attention to Crystal. She shared her studying days abroad as an art student, and some even encouraged her to open an art gallery.
Everything seemed fine until Lyle sat down by the couch, and Crystal quickly filled up the seat beside him. It seemed like she was claiming herself as Lyle’s girlfriend.
They were indeed a loving couple in the past. However, Crystal decided to give up everything in Avenport and headed to Anglandur for the sake of her future. Or else, she would be Lyle’s bride, not me.
“Hey, Lyle! Don’t you think you should be sitting with your wife who had just gone through a miscarriage instead of her cousin,” Sabrina said.
“Hey, don’t say that. It’s been a while since I last met Lyle, and I miss him. Besides, we’re good friends,” Crystal bit her lip stared at Sabrina innocently.
“Oh really? I highly doubt that!” Sabrina scoffed.
Lyle shot her a cold look and said, “I would advise you to stay out of other people’s business, Sabrina.”
I wasn’t planning to start an argument with Lyle in public. After all, I was still processing the news of Crystal returning from abroad. Hence, I shook my head at Sabrina, signaling her to let it go. She shot me a dissatisfied look and finally sat down unwillingly as she gulped down a glass of whiskey angrily.
After a short while, everyone decided to play a game of truth or dare to ease the tension. I was selected and had no choice but to pick a dare as I could not drink. “Go stand by the door and have a steamy make-out session with the first guy who passes the hallway,” Sabrina suggested.
Great, why did you have to propose this idea? I sighed, trying to make an excuse to reject it. However, I noticed Lyle’s mocking gaze upon me, so I decided to accept the dare. With that, I pushed my chair aside and walked to the door. So this is what you want to play, huh? So be it!
Thus, as soon as I saw Christopher walking over, I head toward him and kissed the crap out of him.
