Chapter 107
+25 BONUS
“Brian, don’t be angry.” Evelyn murmured, gently holding onto Brian’s arm. She cast an apologetic smile toward Victor and said, “Mr. Smith, I’m so sorry. I’m sure you don know about Ms. Torrey’s status….
Then, turning her attention to Ariana with a slight reproach in her tone, she added, “Ms. Torrey, you’re Mr. Lodge’s fiancée. What do you think you’re doing, pushing and pulling with Mr. Smith like this in front of everyone? Come over here, now!”
Evelyn made a move to pull Arlana back, but Hunter swiftly stepped in between them, blocking her path. He clearly didn’t want Ariana to comply. Evelyn froze, her outstretched hand hanging awkwardly mid–air. Her expression stiffened with embarrassment.
Seeing Evelyn’s attempt to play peacemaker, Ariana chuckled lightly. “Ms. Granger, I couldn’t help but notice how closely you were walking with Mr. Lodge earlier. I almost thought… You didn’t know Mr. Lodge had a fiancée.”
Ariana’s remark left Evelyn speechless. Indeed, everyone knew Ariana was Brian’s flancée. Yet it was equally well- known that his affections lay with Evelyn, leaving Ariana with little respect.
What everyone conveniently overlooked was how openly walking into an event as another man’s companion in front of his fiancée could only be described as improper. Plainly put, Evelyn was behaving like a mistress.
“Come over here, Ariana,” Brian commanded, his tone sharp and authoritative.
However, Ariana made no move to comply.
Seeing her defiance, Brian stepped forward. But before he could reach her, Ariana darted behind Victor, her body trembling as though in terror. Her large eyes brimmed with tears, glistening as though she were on the verge of breaking down. The sight of her pitiful expression immediately invoked sympathy from the onlookers.
Victor observed her performance with a faint, amused smirk.
Whispers ripped through the crowd.
“I’ve heard rumors that Mr. Lodge doesn’t like his fiancée, but I didn’t think he was abusive!”
“Look at her reaction! She must have been hit before. Poor thing”
“And to think she’s the eldest daughter of the Torrey family? How could the Lodge family treat her like this?”
The murmurs grew louder. Brian’s expression darkened as he listened to the accusations swirling around him.
Evelyn wanted to step forward to explain, but she quickly realized that the crowd’s judgemental stares were now fixed on her. It was as though she had become the root of all the drama.
“Ms. Torrey is my date tonight, and this is my event. If you want to claim her, perhaps you should remember who’s hosting tonight, Mr. Lodge,” Victor said as he pulled Ariana firmly into his embrace.
Brian’s gaze turned icy as he watched the move. Evelyn quickly stepped forward to intervene. “Mr. Smith, Ms. Torrey is Mr. Lodge’s fiancée. Don’t you think it’s a bit improper to act like this?”
“Oh?” Victor’s tone carried a mocking age. “So, you do know the meaning of improper conduct?”
Victor emphasized the last few words, and the deliberate weight he placed on them felt like a slap in Evelyn’s face.
Victor continued, “If I remember correctly, we didn’t invite Ms. Granger tonight. Hunter, escort her out.”
