Chapter 12
Seattle business dinner.
Albert’s grandfather, as the former president of the Chamber of Commerce, was invited to attend.
Keegan Stevenson was old, he came in a wheelchair, spoke a few words and left early.
When Albert brought Arlene, Keegan was about to leave.
‘Albert, is this the girlfriend you’ve been talking about? After so many years of searching…” Keegan looked at Arlene, smiling warmly.
Arlene nervously looked at Albert, not sure how Albert introduced her to Keegan.
“It’s a date, Grandpa,” Albert interrupted Keegan, speaking again.“We haven’t caught up yet, so she’s not my girlfriend.”
Grandpa smiled and looked at Arlene, “Good girl, you two get along well.”
He got older and stopped joining in the fun.
The assistant pushed Keegan away, and Albert apologized to Arlene, “I’m sorry for using you as an excuse.”
No problem,” Arlene shook her head.
“Mr. Stevenson! I’ve never seen you with a lady all these years. Who is this young lady today, such a big honor?” People in the circle walked over, laughing and talking to Albert.
She’s really pretty, no wonder Mr. Stevenson took a liking to her.”
Those who could attend the dinner were big shots in the business circle, the kind of people Arlene didn’t want to deal with or get involved with.
She didn’t like those people, feeling like the upper class are all “devils who eat people without spitting out bones.”
These people were, Brendan was too.
Most likely, Albert will be too.
My little girl at home is young and not very brave, so I won’t introduce her to you one by one.” Albert offered his arm to Arlene.
Arlene nervously grabbed Albert’s arm, feeling like she wanted to escape.
She didn’t like it here.
It seems like everywhere was full of deceit and flattery.
“Mr. Stevenson being so supportive, looks like good things are coming soon, huh? Stevenson said he really wants to see you get married, it should be soon, right?” a big shot asked with a smile.
Albert just smiled faintly and didn’t answer that question.
Albert didn’t say, so everyone just didn’t bother asking.
Did you hear? Brendan is getting married. He just proposed to Paige from the Hilton family a few days ago. Looks like he’s getting married before the rest of us. Someone mentioned Brendan.
Arlene’s heart skipped a beat, and she instinctively tightened her grip on Albert’s arm.
Albert sensed Arlene’s mood change, gave her a glance, and didn’t say anything.
“Why didn’t Paige marry Bren before, why did she have to marry that British guy? After leaving Seattle for four years, she’s just back from a divorce.” “Hey, she’s confident. Even after the divorce, Brendan only has eyes for her.”
After Paige got married and left, there were no more rumors about Brendan. Everyone in the circle knew that Brendan deeply loved Paige. This kind of love story between a wealthy family and a commoner is not common, so Brendan and Paige became the focus of everyone’s attention.
Here
you are!” someone greeted towards the entrance, smiling. “Bren, you’re late, you owe us three drinks as punishment.”
Brendan came with Paige.
Today Paige looked really pretty, wearing a champagne–colored custom–made evening gown, which complemented her elegant and mature face, shining among the crowd.
Arlene was really jealous of Paige, jealous of her natural confidence.
That was the confidence given to her by her family background.
< Chapter 12
“Were you scared?” Albert asked quietly.
Did Arlene worry about running into Brendan here?
Arlene shook her head.
She doesn’t have anything to be afraid of now.
She and Brendan, they didn’t have any connection at all.
Menu
“Paige’s brother got injured, and we got stuck in traffic on the way to the hospital,
“Long time no see, Mr. Stevenson,” Brendan smiled at Albert.
SO
We
– сrе
a bit delayed,” Brendan walked over and politely explained.
“Mr. Stevenson,” Paige greeted Albert politely.
Brendan was originally planning to bring Arlene to swear allegiance, but Paige said she
wanted
to
come, so Brendan had
“How did you get hurt?” someone curiously asked.
to
change his plans.
Paige smiled knowingly at the crowd.“Got a little scratch from an uncultured girl,
Paige and Brendan were already standing in front of Albert, and neither of them recognized Arlene. They probably thought Arlene was still at the police station.
no
big deal.”
“What dirty thing did your brother do? To make a little girl use such force?” Albert’s voice was calm, but filled with strong pressure. This is clearly hostile.
Paige paused for a moment, then looked back at Albert.
She doesn’t remember ever offending Albert.
Arlene also hesitated for a moment, looked at Albert, and instinctively hid behind him.
She didn’t expect Albert to stand up for her in this situation.
༣༠་ཤ་ཅ། འཁ
“Mr. Stevenson…” Brendan wanted to speak up for Paige, but when his gaze landed on Arlene, all the words got stuck in his throat.
Brendan’s face darkened visibly, but he managed to hold back his anger with good manners.
Today’s Arlene was dazzling like Brendan had never seen before.
Arlene followed him for four years, from the naive age of nineteen to now at twenty–three. Brendan never denied that Arlene was good–looking, but he had never seen Arlene dress up seriously.
In Brendan’s eyes, Arlene was always “makeup–free“, wearing simple white t–shirts or dresses, clean and never wearing perfume.
So Brendan was so satisfied with Arlene as his bed partner that he didn’t get tired of her for four years before dumping her. But now, the canary he had been raising for four years suddenly flew to someone else, which made him very annoyed. ‘Arlene?” Paige also recognized Arlene, looking at her in shock.“Aren’t you… at the police station?”
“It was probably your brother Darin who should have been at the police station, right?” Albert shielded Arlene behind him, not giving Paige any face. Everyone knew Paige came from a good family and was Brendan’s crush, so all the big shots in Seattle would give her some face when they saw her. But Albert is an exception.
Paige couldn’t hide the look on her face, she frowned and looked at Albert. Mr. Stevenson knew Arlene? Arlene is Bren’s assistant, we are friends.” “Friend” Albert sneered, looking at Brendan. “I never knew Mr. Dudley liked green tea. I still have some good tea cakes my grandfather collected. I’ll bring them to Mr. Dudley to try another day.”
People in the circle looked at each other in shock, surprised by the tense atmosphere between Albert and Brendan,
What’s going on?
The Stevenson family in Houston was unbeatable, and the Dudley family in Seattle was also at the top of the pyramid. They didn’t have any conflicts on weekdays, so why did they suddenly start arguing in public today?
Brendan didn’t say anything, he just stared at Arlene with deep eyes.
Arlene didn’t look at Brendan, not because she was afraid, but because she didn’t want to.
Paige, you go over there and chat with your friends, Brendan gently suggested, giving Paige an out.
< Chapter 12
Paige looked terrible, but her classy image prevented her from arguing with Albert.
Paige glanced meaningfully at Arlene and then turned away.
Brendan’s gaze fell on Arlene again.“Arlene, come with me.”
Brendan said in a low voice, then turned and walked towards the bathroom.
He was confident, Arlene wouldn’t defy him.
After all, Arlene has been too obedient in these four years.
No matter what unreasonable requests Brendan made, Arlene always agreed.
But this time, Arlene didn’t listen.
Brendan took a few steps and looked back at Arlene.
Arlene didn’t want to go with him, instead she held onto Albert’s arm and whispered, “Mr. Stevenson, Sir Stevenson left early… Can I go home?”
She felt a bit unwell.
Seeing Paige and Brendan made me physically sick.
