Elizabeth’s eyes darkened fast, a sharp glint flashing beneath her lashes.
“Michael, are you a dog or something?
Why do you bite first and ask questions later?”
“She’s your sister, Victoria is, and you set her up like that?
Don’t try to deny it, that forum post is obviously yours.
Do you even realize what you’ve done to her?
She can’t even show her face now.
You two were tight—how could you pull something like this?”
Elizabeth clenched her phone tighter, her voice cold and steady.
“Michael, don’t act like you don’t know the truth.
Victoria lived under my family’s roof, ate our food.
That post came from her dorm’s computer IP and it had pictures of us.
She started it.
Everything that followed—she brought it on herself.”
“So even if I did post it, which I didn’t, I was just giving her a taste of her own medicine.
What’s wrong with that?”
There was silence on the other end.
After a few seconds, Michael spoke again, this time lower.
“Victoria said someone hacked her forum account.
She’s your sister.
Couldn’t you have given it a second thought before doing all this?
I really misjudged you.”
Elizabeth let out a cold chuckle.
She didn’t bother arguing anymore and hung up straight away.
Dealing with that call seriously pissed her off.
Right then, a server brought over her lemon tea.
She raised the glass and knocked back half of it in one go.
When Emily returned carrying a box, she immediately noticed Elizabeth didn’t look too happy.
“Liz, what happened?”
Elizabeth set down her glass, then filled her in on how Michael had just called to accuse her out of nowhere.
“What the hell?
Is Michael actually brain-dead?
And Victoria’s got the nerve to claim someone hacked her account?
Who the heck would go out of their way to break into her dumb school forum?”
“Anyway, don’t waste your energy on idiots like that.
Not worth it.
But seriously, why were you in the bathroom so long?”
Emily pushed the box toward her, grinning.
“This is my wedding gift to you.
But no peeking, okay?
You have to wait till you’re home tonight.”
Elizabeth eyed her suspicious look, but placed the box aside.
“Fine, fine.”
They finished their tea and headed out shopping.
Emily handed her a shopping bag.
“This one’s for you.”
“But you said you really liked this piece just now?”
Emily shrugged.
“It was for you all along.
You’ve got natural beauty—if you don’t dress it up properly, you’re just wasting your face.”
Elizabeth wanted to refuse, but Emily wouldn’t take no for an answer.
“Let’s grab something to eat first.
We’ve got time before seven.”
Elizabeth thought for a second, then texted Alexander to remind him to eat something in advance.
They finished dinner and arrived at the Dusk Lounge right on seven.
Since it was still early, the place hadn’t filled up yet.
Soon after Elizabeth and Emily entered a private booth, the rest of Emily’s friends showed up.
Elizabeth had met most of them in her previous life—friends Emily had made from her modeling gigs.
Emily stood up to introduce her.
“Guys, this is my best friend, Elizabeth.”
Elizabeth got to her feet politely, flashing a subtle smile at the group.
“Hi, nice to meet you all.”
She looked stunning, so of course the others returned the greeting.
“Hey, nice to meet you too.” Then they started introducing themselves one by one.
Elizabeth sat quietly next to Emily, maintaining a polite but distant attitude.
She only responded when spoken to and didn’t make small talk.
Elizabeth was scrolling on her phone, just about to call Alexander, when a crisp voice cut through the noise.
“Miss Harper, do you have a boyfriend?”
Her fingers froze mid-tap.
She looked up at the speaker, lips curving into a polite smile.
“I don’t have a boyfriend…”
Before she could finish, the guy jumped in, “Then can I shoot my shot?
Mind if we swap numbers?”
She shook her head slightly, maintaining her smile.
“Sorry, no boyfriend, but I do have a husband.”
Emily reached over and smacked the guy on the shoulder.
“Back off, fellas.
My bestie’s off the market.”
“Wait, she’s really married?
She looks so young…
Are you sure this isn’t just an excuse to turn down Ethan?” another friend chimed in.
“She’s not making it up.
Her man’s on his way.
You’ll see,” Emily said right on cue.
As if on command, the door creaked open from the outside.
Everyone turned to look.
Standing at the entrance was a tall man, sharp features, and an aura so cold you’d think the AC was on full blast.
The vibe shifted instantly.
“Sorry I’m late,” Alexander said coolly.
Elizabeth was the first to snap out of it. This chapter was taken from novelping.com without permission.
She stood up, voice calm and bright.
“You’re here, babe.”
Alexander gave a small nod.
“Yeah.” He walked towards her with unhurried steps.
The guy sitting next to Elizabeth quickly stood and made space.
Alexander sat down beside her without saying much, expression unreadable.
“Hi, I’m Alexander,” he said quietly, turning slightly toward Emily.
His voice was deep and smooth, almost hypnotic.
Emily smiled warmly.
“Pleasure.
I’m Emily, best friend of your lovely wife.”
Then she leaned in and whispered to Elizabeth, “Okay, I was right—you landed yourself a total boss-type.”
Elizabeth gave a faint smile.
“Mm-hmm.”
“He’s Alexander, right?
That rising business guy.
Remember that ad I worked on last time?
His company.
I study media, so I keep tabs.
But wow, he’s nothing like what I expected.”
Elizabeth’s lips curved, “Yeah.
He’s…
different.”
Ethan, the guy who’d tried his luck earlier, glanced at Alexander before blurting out, “So, Mr.
Blake, how old are you?”
His tone had a mix of sarcasm and challenge.
Everyone’s eyes landed on him.
Alexander didn’t react much, still cool as ever.
“Older than you, I’d bet.” As he spoke, he casually slipped an arm around Elizabeth’s shoulder.
Couldn’t make his message more obvious.
Emily threw Elizabeth a look, her mouth twitching into a smirk.
“Since it’s getting awkward, how about we play a game?”
The others perked up.
“Yeah, sounds fun.
What game?”
A flicker of unease crossed Elizabeth’s face.
She never won against Emily in games.
Alexander caught the change in her expression and leaned in.
“What, don’t feel like playing?”
His breath brushed her ear, making her cheeks tinge pink.
“It’s not that, just…
feels like a losing battle.”
Their private little exchange was giving off serious couple vibes.
Emily rolled her eyes dramatically.
“Come on, you two.
Spare a thought for us lonely souls.”
“What game are you guys playing?” Alexander asked calmly.