Chapter 56
Marina belatedly realized that she had walked into Everly’s trap. She didn’t want to out herself as the mistress, for that’d reveal Olivia’s identity as Ethan’s ex–wife.
She would never do that.
So, she quietened and collected herself. Glaring at Everly, she said, “I’m not. It’s indecent to discuss topics like cheating at a formal event.”
But Everly wasn’t deterred. In fact, she was emboldened. “The mistress is the indecent woman for sleeping with a married man! I have nothing to fear. But Ms. Carlton, you seem very affected by the discussion. Were you someone’s mistress too?”
“Ms. Hilton,” Ethan hissed at Everly with a menacing gleam in his eyes. She promptly behaved. “Oh, right. With a rich husband like you, Ms. Carlton doesn’t have to climb into anyone’s bed at all! If anything, she’ll be getting into your bed all the time!”
Even the dumbest person could tell that Everly was taking a jab at Marina.
However, only Calvin picked up a minute detail. How did a notable figure like Ethan Miller come to know Everly’s last name?
On the other hand, Olivia gaped at Everly’s impudence. She wasn’t as daring as her best friend, who had the guts to jab at Ethan.
Knowing Ethan, he wouldn’t allow anyone to cause trouble for him. Sensing the danger, she quickly steered the topic of conversation, “Anyway, it’s all in the past. My late husband will not come back to life. So, please don’t ask me for more details. A cheater is not worthy of discussion.”
Since she had set things straight, it’d be rude for anyone to press on. Everly almost clapped at Olivia’s perfect comeback.
Bailey suddenly wondered aloud, “Does this mean Olivia’s single? Is Keith pursuing her?” She was not the sharpest tool in the shed.
They narrowly avoided a situation, only to be confronted with a new problem. The socially inept Bailey had not changed at all.
Still, Olivia wouldn’t mind if Ethan got dragged into the discussion. She never expected the event to turn into a huge gossip party about her personal life.
Everyone was interested in her relationship. She was once the campus belle who had numerous suitors. When she gave up everything and left school, her cla*smates couldn’t help but wonder about the man whom she made the sacrifice for.
Marina kept her anger under control and stole a look at Ethan. He was getting harder to read by the day. He seemed to have given up on Olivia, but he occasionally showed a lingering affection for that woman.
Ethan carelessly picked up a slice of steak. He ate it as though the conversations were none of his business.
Olivia was about to deny it when Keith took over, “It’s not surprising for a lovely lady like Olivia to attract a bunch of admirers. If I have a chance to date her, I’ll cherish her and never hurt her. It’s her ex–husband’s loss.”
Ethan froze upon hearing that. Similarly, Olivia was shocked by Keith’s statement. She had warned Keith to stay out of her business. But instead of heeding her advice, he issued a subtle challenge in front of Ethan.
“Keith…” She looked panicked. There was no way she could explain her way out.
Keith seemed to have read her mind. He gave her an endearing look. “Olivia, now that you’re single, may I ask you out?”
It seems Ethan only ever married Olivia to take revenge for what happened to his little sister. While Olivia is plagued by her sickness, he holds her chin and says coldly, “This is what your family owes me.” Now, she has no family and no future.
Her father becomes comatose after a car accident, leaving her with nothing to live for. Thus, she hurls herself from a building. “The life my family owes will now be repaid.” At this, Ethan, who’s usually calm, panics while begging for Olivia to come back as if he’s in a state of frenzy …
