Chapter 53
Chapter 53
Halfway through the meal, the private room door swung open,
In walked a joyous Hackett Blackwell with a bottle of wine. "Why didn't you tell me you are back, Edward? Look, I've brought you wine, bro. How's that for a good friend, huh?” He then placed a bottle of wine worth 140,000 dollars on the table.
Hackett pulled over a stool and opened the wine to have a drink with Edward Landor.
Meanwhule. Edward placed the peeled prawns on the lazy Susan and turned it to Natalie. Then he slowly removed his disposal plastic gloves.
Hackett was surprised to see Natalie and blurted, "Nat-" Then he realized she was Trevon Wilson's secret wife. "Oh. Miss Foster, I didn't expect to see you here." he said awkwardly. On the contrary, Natalie was not surprised to see him. "Hmm, do you need some cutlery, Mr. Blackwell?" she asked. Hackett and Trevon were in the same social circle, after all
On the other hand, Edward was curious how Natalie knew Hacken in the first place. "You two know each other?" he said.
They did not share the same social circles to his knowledge
Did he miss something in the past three years while overseas? Edward wondered.
Edward then turned his gaze to his sister, Sherri: he looked at her intently
Sherri was shocked by her brother's stare, She was speechless, not knowing whether to continue with her meal or stop eating altogether.
Sherri quickly cleared her throat. "Ahem, well, we met Mr. Blackwell by chance. Yes, by chance. Mr. Blackwell, isn't that right?" she fumbled, trying to explain
Then she lowered her eyes, trying to keep a low profile. She glared at Hackett from the corner of her eyes, signaling that he would die a painful death if he did not keep his mouth shut. Hackert kept his eyes glued to the food in front of Natalie. Was Edward cuckolded? he wondered.
Natalie quickly shared half of her food with Sherri.
Edward had given her so much food that she could not finish alone.
Hackett realized that a juicy gossip just landed on his lap. He had to hurry back to his private room to deliver the intelligence. The matter seemed to have gotten out of hand. "There's no need for any cutlery," said Hackett. "I have a prior engagement. We shall meet again soon, Mr. Landor. Keep the wine for now" He then left in a hurry. Edward did not stop Hackett from leaving. Today's gathering was with his friends; he preferred not to have any outsiders.
"What a crazy bugger! Don't mix with such people, Edward, Sherri muttered.
"Tell me, how did you meet him?" Edward hounded her for an answer.
Meanwhile, Hackett returned to the other private room hurriedly. He saw Mia Blackwell pouring a glass of wine for Trevon Wilson while drinking like a fish herself. She leaned against Trevon lazily, looking half-drunk
Although they were less than an inch away from each other up close, it looked like they were snuggling up from afar.
Hackett signaled Frank Roberts to find out what happened in his absence. He had only stepped out for a while. When did Mia and Trevon start drinking?
Frank raised his eyebrows and shrugged. "How would I know? why don't you ask him?"
Hackett held back his words, yet he was dying to share the juicy gossip. He took out his cell phone and texted Frank instead.
Ding! Frank heard the ping but he did not care or want to read it.
Hackett became impatient and reminded him there was a text notification.
"Yeah, I know," Frank replied coldly.
Still, he had no intention of reading the message.
Hackett took a deep breath. "See if there's anything important, dude."
Frank looked at him as if he was an idiot. Hackett blinked, gesturing him to read the message. The latter had no choice but to look at his cell phone.
The cigarette between his lips trembled slightly, but he bit on it in time. The message read like a short essay I saw Natalie dung with Edward and Sherri Landor next door-no big deal. But Edward served her like a queen. Don't look like a casual relationship to me Natalie may be innocent, but Edward may feel otherwise. Do you think she's cheating on Trevon?" Frank finished reading patiently. The corners of his mouth curled into a slight smile. Then he looked at the two lovebirds. snuggling together and replied, "Double cheating! Ha!"
Trevon and Natalie cheated on each other. Wow! What a pair! Hackett was amazed.
Meanwhile. Edward and company finished their meal and were about to leave.
Sherri lugged the luggage while Natalie had an armful of her favorite gifts.
They opened the door and bumped into a group of people.
Trevon fixed his gaze on the long black down jacket Edward held which belonged to Natalie.
Hackett glanced at Frank behind him before greeting Edward. "Hey, Mr. Landor. Are you about to leave?"
"Hi, Mr. Wilson; long time no see. What a coincidence that you're here too." Edward greeted politely.
Sherri kept quiet when she saw Natalie lowering her head. She would not have come here for dinner if she had known earlier. What kind of social faux pas was this? Trevon Wilson's secret wife vs. his ex- girlfriend.
While her brother exchanged pleasantries with Trevon, Sherri quietly bumped Natalie's arm and signaled her to look at Trevon's companion
Natalie looked at her with question marks all over her face.
Sherri lifted her chin toward Trevon and gestured Natalie to look.
Natalie saw a woman in a red down jacket leaning against him; her face was red from drinking. Hackett supported her along. fearing she might fall.
Natalie felt a dull pain as if she was spiked. She had thought Trevon was working hard in the past few days, not knowing he was at his favorite haunt seeking merriment.
It looked like Trevon's unforgettable first love was back. Sherri once told her that Trevon showed little interest in women. Therefore, it had to be his ex-girlfriend whorn he allowed to be in such close proximity publicly.
No wonder he kept telling Natalie he was not interested in her.
Meanwhile, Trevon's gaze turned to the helmet and gloves in Natalie's arms. The logo of the helmet was especially dazzling. His eyes darkened. He walked past Natalie with his hands in his pockets and did not stop.
Frank shook his head when he saw what happened.
Edward noticed Natalie's face turned pale. "What's wrong, Natalie? Are you feeling unwell? Did you not have enough sleep?" he asked with concern.
Natalie returned to her senses and explained, "No, I'm okay. Let's go. Where to next, Edward?"
"Ill go to the office. It's almost 5 o'clock now," said Edward. "What do you two plan to do next? Shopping? Take care if you're going shopping. Call me if you need anything"
"Got it, bro. When did you become a nagging old lady after being away for a few years? OMG, You're so long-winded! Just go already. I'll bring your luggage home. I still have to pick up my car anyway." Sherri was impatient with her brother's concern. He could easily beat his mother hands down.
Edward had never been so naggy in the past, not to mention being concerned about details. Could it be that he had a girlfriend overseas and understood women better now?
It was possible. Sherri thought.
"Natalie, how are you going back? Do you want a lift? Kyle is waiting downstairs." Edward asked. He had texted Kyle halfway through the meal to pick him up at the entrance of Grand Manor.
"Yo, brother, can you send me home too? I'll save on taxi fare," Sherri complained, feeling neglected.
Edward did not reply to her. Instead, he took out his cell phone and pressed a few buttons.
Ding Dong, 20 dollars was transferred to Sherri's account.
Sherri was speechless.
Natalie did not wish to let Edward know where she was currently staying. She did not know how to tell him the fact. "Tm not staying at home now, Edward; I'm staying at a friend's place. Please don't bother; I will find my way back. Let's go hiking in the mountains someday soon"
"In that case, I'll send you home, Sherri," said Edward.
Are you crazy? Why did you change your mind so fast? Sherri grumbled.
Natalie then flagged down a cab at the entrance. She waved goodbye at the siblings and headed back to Adare Manor.