Chapter 236
All eyes in the room turned to Haley, their judgment unmistakable. Haley’s face turned crimson as she stood up abruptly. “Lacey, stop spouting nonsense!”
Lacey’s lips curled into a smirk. “Oh, Haley, I just wanted to ask, how did your mom manage to raise someone as exceptional as you?”
“What are you trying to say?” Haley snapped, confused but defensive.
Lacey’s tone turned razor–sharp. “Nothing much. I’m just curious how your mom produced not one, but two heartless, black–hearted pieces of trash.”
“You!” Haley’s face turned alternately pale and red with anger as she glared at Alex, her eyes brimming with tears.
Alex sighed, rubbing his temples as he glanced past Haley to Layton, who was standing behind Lacey.
Layton, wearing his signature cheeky grin, pushed Lacey toward Ellie’s table. After exchanging casual greetings with Aaron, he slid into the seat next to Alex.
Lacey, now seated beside Ellie, immediately sensed something was off. Her eyes darted to Diana and Aaron, who were sitting across from her, and her expression froze in shock. “You two?” Lacey blurted, wide–eyed.
Diana tilted her head slightly, first to the left, then to the right, before turning to Aaron. “Oh, nothing much. We’re just discussing…” she said with a sly smile.
Aaron sat stiffly, his posture as rigid as if he were in court. His expression was grim, and he quietly focused on eating his meal without meeting anyone’s eyes.
Lacey gave Diana a thumbs–up. “Mr. Thompson, you should really thank your ex for cheating on you and dumping you. A bitch like that? If you’d married her, your entire family would’ve been driven to their graves out of sheer frustration.”
“Couldn’t have said it better myself,” Diana chimed in, nodding earnestly and throwing Aaron a look of exaggerated sympathy. “Good thing you broke it off in time. Otherwise, you’d end up raising another man’s child while she blamed you for not loving the kid enough.”
Aaron’s mouth twitched, visibly uncomfortable. Unable to sit still any longer, he stood up to leave.
Diana grabbed his arm, yanking him back down. Leaning close to his ear, she hissed. “I saved you out of the kindness of my heart. Is this how you repay your savior? Today, you’re helping me, whether you like it or not.”
Aaron tried to shake her off, but Diana boldly slipped her hand to his waist and hooked her fingers around his belt. “Aaron, if you dare walk out of here, I’ll tell my dad you tried to take advantage of me,” she threatened.
Aaron shut his eyes and took a deep breath, his jaw clenched. When he opened them again, his patience had evaporated. “Fine. I’m not leaving. Now, take your hand off me.”
Diana obediently let go, grinning at him like a mischievous child. For the first time, Aaron rudely shoved a girl away from
him.
Haley, watching Aaron and Diana’s sweet action, felt an inexplicable tightness in her chest.
Across from her, Alex was always pouring her more wine, oblivious to her growing irritation. Haley angrily put down her fork and knife, unable to eat another bite.
1/2
Exclusive Profile
Ad–Free
cxtra check–in
Badge
Reading
2/2
08:35 Mon, Feb 10 B G.
Chapter 236
“Ellie, do you think Aaron and Diana are… you know, involved?” Lacey whispered, unable to contain her curiosity.
468%
Ellie blinked, just as confused. “Lacey, don’t jump to conclusions If she remembered correctly, this was only Aaron and Diana’s third time meeting.
Layton glanced between Diana, who was openly teasing Aaron, and Lacey, who was whispering conspiratorially with Ellie. His gaze shifted to Haley, who looked ready to explode in anger and finally to Alex, who appeared lost in his own thoughts. Layton couldn’t help but say, “Whoever ordered this meal has excellent taste; it’s quite the spread.”
He was met with a sharp, warning glare from Alex that could have sliced him in half. Unfazed, Layton speared a piece of steak with his fork and popped it into his mouth.
Seven people, three men and four women, two tables, had a dinner that could only be described as eventful.
Over an hour later, Layton finally stood up. “Take your time finishing up. I’ll drive Lacey to the airport.”
As they left the restaurant and got into the car, Lacey couldn’t hold back any longer. “Layton, what’s so special about Haley? How is she able to make Alex so hopelessly devoted to her?”
Layton snorted. “Special? My ass. If she hadn’t saved Alex back in the day, she wouldn’t even be a blip on h
is radar.”
