Chapter 9
Evan’s car slowly pulled up in front of the banquet hall. The door opened, and he’d barely taken a step before his friends surrounded him.
They gathered around, chattering excitedly. Their faces lit up with anticipation, as if waiting for the opening of a grand show.
“Where are the videos, Evan? Didn’t you say you were posting them today?” someone asked impatiently. His eyes gleamed with gossip.
Frowning, Evan slowly pulled his phone from his pocket. Under the eager gazes of the crowd, the faint glow of the phone screen flickered in his hand.
But just as everyone thought he was about to unlock it, he suddenly put the phone back in his pocket and said calmly, “I’m not posting them.”
Those four simple words hit like a stone thrown into a calm lake, immediately stirring a storm of confusion.
Everyone stared, their eyes wide with disbelief.
“You’re not posting them?” they all exclaimed in unison. Their faces were filled with shock.
Someone couldn’t hold back and asked, “What do you mean, Evan? Didn’t you say you were going to give Jarrett a big surprise today?”
“Yeah, we’ve been planning for so long. Why back out now? Don’t mess with us, Evan!”
Evan’s gaze turned cold. His tone was tinged with annoyance as he said, “It’s nothing. I just don’t think it’s the right time. The more videos there are, the deeper Jarrett’s pain will get. What’s the rush?”
His friends exchanged glances, clearly caught off guard by his response.
One of them muttered under his breath, “You’ve been dating for three years. Shouldn’t there be enough videos? Evan, you’re acting really strange lately.”
Another guy straight up asked, “Evan, just tell me. Are you—”
“No!” Evan cut him off, his voice as cold as ice. His eyes were sharp as he scanned the group. “The videos are between me and her. I’ll post them when I want. It’s nice of you to be concerned, but don’t overstep.”
The mood became awkward. His friends quickly tried to smooth things over. Their tone was filled with attempts to please him.
“We didn’t mean anything by it, Evan. Don’t be mad.” One of them patted him on the shoulder.
“Yeah, yeah, we were just asking. Don’t take it to heart.”
Evan didn’t say another word. He turned and walked into the banquet hall to begin checking the decorations. His gaze swept over every detail, his brow furrowing deeper with each passing
moment.
He pointed to the flowers on the table and said firmly, “These flowers won’t do. Change them. She doesn’t like pink. She likes blue. Go buy new ones now.” His voice carried an undeniable authority.
Then he gestured at the carpet. “This carpet’s too dark. Get a lighter one.
“And this place looks too empty. Put up some balloons.
“Stack the gifts here. Didn’t I buy a bunch of them?”
The waiters and event planners scurried around, trying to keep up with his demands. Evan’s friends stood nearby, staring in stunned silence.
One of them whispered, “What’s going on with Evan? He’s never cared about this stuff before. Is this really the same Evan we know?”
“Yeah, I really don’t get him. If he’s just using Joselyn, why go through all this trouble? He could’ve just thrown a simple birthday party.” Another one shook his head. “Something’s off. Way off.”
Evan didn’t seem to hear their murmurs. He reached into his jacket and pulled out a delicate box. He opened it to reveal a dazzling necklace inside.
He looked up and asked one of his friends nearby, “Do you think she’ll like this necklace?”
One of the guys leaned in, his eyes widening as he gasped, “Holy crap! Isn’t this the one the Queen wore? It’s worth over 100 million dollars! Evan, you’re really giving this to Joselyn? That’s a huge investment!”
Evan’s expression stiffened for a moment, but his voice remained indifferent. “It’s the only way she’ll love me more.”
His friends exhaled in relief. One of them patted him on the shoulder with a smile. “Ah, so this is a long game! Classic Evan, always playing it smart!”
Evan didn’t respond He carefully closed the box and scanned every corner of the hall, as if double–checking for perfection.
His focus wa
was intense, almost foreign. It didn’t feel like this party was just a tool for revenge
Soon, the guests began arriving, mostly big shots from Azmarin’s high–society circle. They greeted Evan with smiles and warm words.
“Mr. Lloyd, what a big birthday bash for your girlfriend! Talk about going all out!” someone joked. “When’s the wedding? We’re all waiting for the invitation!” Smiling. Evan replied confidently, “Soon. I’ll marry her once she says yes.”
The guests Laughed heartily, praising his devotion. His friends stood off to the side, watching him with increasingly complicated expressions.
One of them murmured, “Evan’s really playing his role, huh? I’m almost convinced.”
Another shook his head repeatedly: “Something’s not right. Evan’s never been this serious before.”
The party officially began, with dazzling lights and soothing music filling the air.
But Joselyn was still nowhere to be seen.
Evan stood in the center of the hall, his eyes darting toward the entrance every so often. His brows furrowed deeper with each passing moment.
He pulled out his phone, ready to call het.
Just then, the large doors swung open
