Chapter 354
A few days later, during work hours, Ellie received a call from Nalani inviting her out for dinner that night.
Ellie initially wanted to decline, but remembering that she had introduced Diana and Lacey to Nalani, she decided to go since Nalani didn’t know them very well yet.
34%
After work, Ellie stopped by her apartment and arrived at the Earl Hotel around seven. In a private room on the third floor, she walked in to find she was the last one to arrive.
What she thought would be a simple girls‘ gathering turned out to include Alex as well. He looked effortlessly stylish in a casual suit, lounging next to Nalani and casually fiddling with a metal lighter.
When their eyes met, Ellie quickly looked away, her calm expression hiding the turmoil inside her. She settled into a chair between Diana and Lacey.
Both Diana and Lacey were somewhat aware of Ellie and Alex’s past, and with Nalani joining them out of the blue, the atmosphere felt a bit awkward.
– Nalani pulled out a shark clip from her bag and pinned her long, dyed hair up. She shifted her gaze among the three- Diana, Ellie, and Lacey–before landing on Alex. “Hey, Alex, I’m treating tonight. You’re covering the bill,” she declared with a playful smirk.
Alex’s position allowed him to see the door, and he barely concealed a smirk as Layton rushed in, panting like he had just sprinted here. “This is the fanciest place in the city, and with the great Layton here, I’m not the one paying, right, Mosley the Third?” he teased.
“You scumbag!” Layton mouthed at Alex, tugging out a chair and deliberately sitting next to him.
Lacey, chewing on her chopsticks, frowned. “Layton is the second oldest in my family. Why are you calling him ‘Mosley the Third‘?”
Alex replied, “Even if he’s not the third, he’s definitely not number two.”
Ellie and Diana exchanged confused glances, both feeling a bit lost.
Layton shot Nalani an annoyed look, and she just rolled her eyes heavenward while sipping from her cup.
Lacey, picking up on the tension, looked puzzled. “Brother?”
Layton snapped, “He’s definitely lost it! I’ll take him to the hospital after dinner!”
Ellie remained composed, sensing that there was some weird chemistry between Layton and Nalani, but she didn’t dare to speculate further.
Once the waiter finished serving the dishes, Ellie focused on her meal, occasionally contributing a few words to the conversation.
Halfway through the gathering, Alex received a call from the hospital.
“Grandpa’s awake. Come with me to the hospital,” he said, standing and looking at Nalani.
Nalani, genuinely apologetic, turned to Ellie and the others. “I’m so sorry, ladies! Next time, I’ll treat all three of you to make it up.”
+5
1/0
20:25 Fri, 14 Feb
Chapter 354
“It’s fine! You go take care of things,” Ellie reassured her.
Standing by the door, Alex’s gaze unconsciously fell on Ellie.
Seeing her nudge Nalani to leave with him, witnessing her smile as she clinked glasses with Lacey stirred something within him. He turned away, hiding the emotions brewing within.
Without him around, she actually smiled! She seemed so delicate yet delivered the strongest comeback! She truly didn’t care about him anymore!
After Alex and Nalani left, Layton paid his share before slipping out shortly after. The remaining three girls enjoyed their meals until they finally stepped out of the hotel around nine.
“Get in the car, I’ll drop you off one by one,” Aaron said, glancing at the three girls who were holding hands, tipsy from just a few drinks. He reminded them to be careful as they made their way down the stairs.
Ellie only had a few sips and, while her cheeks were slightly flushed, she was fine. “Hey, you can take Diana back. Lacey and I will go for a walk around the central plaza.”
Lacey waved her hand at Aaron. “Don’t worry about us, big bro.
