Chapter 15
The wine splashed into Charles‘ eyes, causing him to wince in pain.
He wiped the wine from his face, ready to lash out.
But before he could do anything, Avery said, “It’s all my fault. I was feeling dizzy earlier and didn’t hold the glass properly. Mr. Sander, you won’t hold it against me,
will you?
Hearing Avery’s sweet and alluring voice, Charles‘ anger softened. “If you drink a few glasses with me, I won’t hold it against you.”
He reached out to grab her wrist. But before he could even touch her, a mocking voice rang out behind him.
“Oh, so Mr. Sander is here? I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”
Charles was annoyed at the interruption and tumed around, snapping. “Are you blind? Can’t
you see I’m…”
He froze when he saw who was approaching, and the words he was about to say were swallowed back.
Louise Ettman was pushing James over, and it was James who had spoken.
James was playing with a bracelet that he had just snatched from Louise’s wrist. He grinned at Charles and asked, “I have bad hearing, Mr. Sander. What did you just say?”
“Nothing… Nothing at all.” Charles broke into a cold sweat. He slowly looked up, only to meet Louise’s cold gaze.
His legs went weak, and he almost collapsed to the ground.
Everyone in Starbury knew that the eldest son of the Ettman family, Louise Ettman, and the youngest son of the Alston family, James Alston, were the best of friends.
Years ago, someone insulted James and called him a cripple. Louise personally dealt with that person, beating them until they were unrecognizable. Afterward, he even used his influence to have that family kicked out of the city.
And Charles had just said James was blind in front of Louise.
Charles couldn’t bring himself to think any further. He didn’t care about his dignity anymore. He slapped himself hard in the face and apologized, “I must’ve had too much to drink and spoke nonsense. Mr. Alston, please don’t hold it against me…”
When James said nothing, Charles grew even more anxious. He slapped himself harder, each strike swelling his face.
After a while, James grew bored. So, he raised his hand in dismissal. “If it weren’t for the fact
Chap 15
that today is Ms. Avery’s birthday and we can’t have any bloodshed, I would’ve made sure you learned your lesson.”
“Yes, yes. I won’t dare do this again.”
James glared at him. “Then hurry up and apologize to Ms. Avery,”
Charles snapped out of his daze and rushed to apologize to Avery, almost kneeling on the ground to beg for her forgiveness.
Avery couldn’t help but laugh at his antics,
Seeing her smile, James took pity on Charles and let him leave.
Charles felt relieved to be pardoned, and he immediately turned and ran, attracting the attention of the onlookers.
Then, James handed Avery the bracelet he had snatched from Louise earlier. “Ave, this bracelet is an ancient relic. I’m giving it to you as a birthday gift. What do you think? Pretty generous, right?”
Avery stared at the bracelet in her hand in surprise. She remembered seeing it at the auction a few days ago, and the price had been outrageous. She hadn’t expected it to end up in James‘ hands.
Seeing her stunned silence, James chuckled. “What? Are you speechless because you’re so moved by my sincerity?”
Avery snapped out of her daze, and she was astonished as she looked at James. “When did you get so rich?”
“I don’t need to pay for anything I want,” James proudly said.
Avery rolled her eyes. Her expression was clearly saying that she didn’t believe him.
James saw her disbelief and quickly defended himself, “I really didn’t buy it! I just snatched it from Louise!”
Avery’s lips twitched. Alright, maybe she needed a bigger imagination.
As they were talking, Cassandra came running from a distance. Her expression was reluctant as she looked at Avery. “Ave, I have to go on a business trip. I’ll bring you something when I come back.”
Avery smiled and hugged her. “Go on, my Ms. CEO. Remember to call me when you get there.” Cassandra was about to fly abroad for a major business deal. She was supposed to leave earlier that morning, but because it was Avery’s birthday, she made time to attend the party.
James watched as Cassandra monopolized Avery’s attention, and he felt slightly dissatisfied as he was left alone at the side. “Just go already. I’ll take care of Ave.”
Cassandra looked at the time and reluctantly left.
After the party, the male guests were led by Howard to the front to chat while the female guests were guided by Molly to the Sinclair residence’s backyard to enjoy coffee and admire the flowers.
Molly began telling everyone about Abigail’s illness and memory loss. Her tears fell freely as she spoke.
The guests tried to console her, and Molly finally stopped crying. Then, she began introducing Abigail to the group.
Soon, everyone was gathered around Abigail. People who didn’t know better would have thought that she was the actual star of the day.
Avery was accustomed to such scenes, so she enjoyed herself without a care.
After drinking coffee for a while, she grew a bit bored. So, she stood up and decided to walk around. However, just as she took a few steps, she collided with a lady holding a cup of coffee. The coffee splashed all over Avery’s clothes.
“Ouch!” The lady cried out in pain and fell to the ground.
Her scream attracted the attention of many people.
The lady’s face paled from pain, and she quickly tried to get up despite the pain. She
⚫ continuously apologized to Avery, “I’m so sorry, Ms. Avery! I didn’t expect you to walk over so
suddenly, and I couldn’t avoid you in time. I…”
Avery looked at her clothes which were stained with coffee, furrowing her brows together.
It was clear the lady had run into her and not the other way around.
The lady saw Avery’s frown and trembled in fear. She stammered, “M–Ms. Avery, I didn’t mean to ruin your clothes. Please don’t get angry
Perhaps from her overwhelming fear, the lady’s tears flowed continuously.
“Wow, you really have such a strong character, Ms. Avery.” A jarring voice sounded. Avery looked up,
and her gaze followed the voice’s direction. It was none other than Laurelle Sander. Upon seeing her, Avery’s face was filled with surprise.
“Didn’t Charles take you with him?”
Laurelle’s expression changed.
But before she could speak, Avery added, “But now that I think about it, it makes sense. Earlier, Charles was scared off by Mr. Ettman. In the heat of the moment, I suppose he forgot about you–his half–sister. It’s understandable.”
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Laurelle’s face instantly flushed red in embarrassment. “Avery! Stop trying to change the subject!”
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