Chapter 17 A Welcome Dinner
“Since it’s an arranged marriage, perhaps you should go through with it- as long as you two stay out of each other’s way,” Xavier said, which was the truth.
Kelton waved his hand. “Unlike you, I’m not that opportunistic..
“I want a gorgeous woman to be my wife. She should be attractive enough for me to fall for her at first sight. And she has to be the complete package, including flawless beauty, sharp intelligence, and a commanding presence. That’s my type.
“You don’t get it. You’re not me
Hearing this, Xavier stopped persuading him and changed the subject back to the exhibition.
He asked, “Can you fix it or not?”
Kelton patted his own chest and promised with confidence, “The Gallagher Group and Apollo Group are co–hosting the exhibition. All I need is to make a call–I’m sure Trystan won’t turn me down.”
With that, he called Trystan.
Yet, no one picked up after a dozen seconds. He was stunned and called again.
This time, Trystan rejected his call, which was clearly a refusal.
Kelton hung up, looking embarrassed.
Xavier seldom wanted a favor from him, and he got turned down right after he made a promise so confidently.
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Chapter 17 A Welcome Comer
He scratched his hair and said with an awkward smile, “Maybe he’s busy. Well, I’ll take you to a welcome dinner before anything. We can talk about this later.”
Xavier followed him out of his office, knowing what had happened.
He realized Kelton couldn’t be of help, and he still had to rely on Eliana.
***
At a high–end boutique catering to elite private customers.
Trystan sat on a leather sofa from Terrania, exuding an aura of icy elegance.
After rejecting Kelton’s call, he looked up at Eliana as a designer took her measurements. “Xavier is in Plymbourne. He got Kelton to talk to me for
him.”
Saying this, he observed Eliana’s face, worrying that she was still in love.
with Xavier.
To his relief, Eliana’s expression didn’t change at all. She turned around so that the designer could measure her waist. “Leave it to me, Trystan.”
Then she looked at her reflection in the mirror.
She was now as radiant as she used to be. The confidence sparkling in her eyes was so eye–catching, and she looked like a different person from that pitiful, humble pushover who had lived with the Hogan family.
She was born to shine. Jerks didn’t deserve to have her!
“Babe, I missed you so much!”
Just then, someone threw herself at Eliana and hugged Eliana for a long time, refusing to let go.
Chapter 17 A Welcome Dinner
Eliana immediately recognized the voice–it was Katelynn Harper, her
bestie.
Her eyes turned red as she said in a sobbing voice, “Me, too.”
Katelynn let go of her. “How could you be so cruel, completely going radio silence for three years? I had to hear about your divorce from Jakob! Are we friends or what?”
Tears welled up in Eliana’s eyes. “We’re besties forever.”
After a pause, she continued, “I was just… I couldn’t muster the courage to see you. Back then, you persuaded me so earnestly, and I was stupid enough to argue with you… And now, I’m divorced. I’m too ashamed to see you.”
Back then, she had chosen to marry Xavier and given up her boutique just to be his secretary on a whim. Katelynn had tried to talk her out of it, insisting Xavier wasn’t right for her and she could achieve so much more. than just being his wife.
But she was so stubborn and stupid that she ignored Katelynn’s suggestion and shut down their jointly founded boutique just like that.
The boutique had been their dream. Seeing Eliana trample it so decisively, Katelynn left for Drudor in a fit of pique, and this was the first time they had spoken to each other after years.
Grabbing Eliana’s hand, Katelynn said indignantly, “That jerk Xavier should feel ashamed. He made the biggest mistake in the world for failing you!
“Babe, now that you’re back, I won’t let anyone bully you.
“I’ll kill anyone who even tries!”
Eliana’s tears rolled down her cheeks, and they grinned while looking at
Chapter 17 A Welcome Dir
each other.
“Hey, enough tears, babe.” Katelynn wiped away her tears with a tissue. “I’ve got a party for you tonight. Let’s celebrate your new life without that piece of crap!”
“OK.”
Eliana glanced at Trystan, who had been silently watching them all this time, and tightened her grip on Katelynn’s hand.
She now realized how foolish she had been–walking away from all those people who loved her just for Xavier, that cold–hearted man.
Family beat romance, and so did friendship.
