Chapter 263
Bonnie was stumped, clearly not knowing how to answer. Since she walked in, her right shoulder had been behaving perfectly, showing no signs of pain.
Kate spoke up for her, “She popped some painkillers before coming; she didn’t want to make a scene in front of everyone.”
Quick thinking there!
Bonnie went with it, nodding. “Yes, but I’m really okay Besides, Irene didn’t mean to.”
“If it was unintentional, then why are you suing me?” I asked, seizing the moment.
Kate was taken aback by my question too. She couldn’t come up with a good excuse on the spot
Bonnie looked a bit awkward, then turned to Gloria.
“It’s all a misunderstanding. Once the judge clarifies the truth, we’ll drop the charges. We’re all friends here; a little spat now and then is inevitable “Gloria was the rock-solid support Bonnie needed. Even when cornered, she remained cool and composed.
I just smirked, “No need. I’ve already cleared it up myself”
Bonnie looked puzzled hearing this, but it wasn’t the right time or place to get into it. She wouldn’t ask, and I wouldn’t elaborate
Everyone in the living room was here for Faith’s birthday, but we weren’t exactly on good terms with each other.
Good thing dinner was ready. The butler announced that we could start eating, breaking the awkward silence.
The round table had eight seats, just enough for all of us
The moment Faith sal down, Bonnie was ready to sit next to her, but Faith grabbed my hand, “Irene, you sit here”
“Alright I couldn’t refuse
Bonnie shot Faith a disappointed look, then turned her gaze to Neil, probably figuring out where he was going to sit so she could sit next to him.
Without a second thought. Neil sat down on the other side of Faith, not bothering to arrange seating for anyone else.
I gave Kitty a look. She quickly grabbed the chair next to Neil, then shot a triumphant smile at Bonnie, who was too slow to claim it.
Bonnie was clearly upset about losing her preferred seat again Gloria patted her arm, nudging her to sit across from Neil.
“Thank you all” Faith raised her glass with a simple toast
I joined everyone in taking a sip of wine, then we started eating.
After two or three years, I was having dinner with the Whitmore family again, but our relationship was far from what it used to be.
Faith kept encouraging me to eat more, checking on me like I was still her daughter in law. Occasionally, she would also chat with Kitty. She barely had any words for Bonnie, Gloria, and Kate, though
“Have some more chicken soup. It’s good for you” Suddenly, Neil ladled a bowl of truffle chicken soup for me.
His gesture was more powerful than a hundred words from Fath. Of course, only Bonnie and Kitty would care.
While looking at the soup, I felt a bit awkward I didn’t mind using this opportunity to ride up Bonnie, but I didn’t want to upset Kitty either..
To be honest, I was hoping that she could win Neil’s heart and get this annoying person out of my life for good
Bonnie stared at the soup as her eyes filled with sadness and jealousy, but she couldn’t voice her thoughts.
“Kitty, you have it. I’m kinda full” I pushed the bowl of soup towards Kitty
“Sure thing!” Kitty happily took the soup and started sipping, “It’s so tasty! Mr. Iceberg, your chef is amazing!”.
Bonnie’s hostility immediately shifted towards Kitty She muttered, “My mom used to be a great cook too, but she’s gone forever now.”
The mood suddenly shifted. Bonnies sadness was ill-timed, and given that half the people at the table didn’t like her, she didn’t elicit any sympathy My phone ringing broke the tense silence. It was Oscar.
“Excuse me, I need to take this call I told everyone, then left to answer the call.
The call went through, but there was no sound from Oscar’s end. No matter how much I called out to him, there was no response.
I’d known Oscar for a long time and never encountered this situation before. After ending the call and trying again, there was still no answer
I felt uneasy but didn’t know what to do. When I got back to the table, I had lost my appetite.
“Who was that?” Neil saw my unease and asked.
“A friend “I answered casually, but my mind was filled with worry.
Neil looked sharp. I wasn’t sure how he interpreted me calling the person on the other end of the call a ‘friend” Anyway, he seemed a bit upset afterwards
Due to Bonnie’s arrival, Neil’s parents lost their appetite. The lavish spread was barely touched.
Gloria suddenly spoke, “Mr. Whitmore, Mrs. Whitmore, we should have met seven or eight years ago if not for some unfortunate events.”
After hearing this, Neil and his parents were stone faced.
Seven or eight years ago, wasn’t that when Neil was with Karina?
The Whitmores had opposed their relationship back then, and Gloria definitely knew. By bringing this up now, she was clearly stirring up old grudges.
If it were before, the Whitmores might have felt guilty about Karina’s death, but since the truth about her depression and accepting Neil’s breakup fee came out, they were not responsible for her death.
Karina used her own death to curse and bother Neil, which was the real horror.
“Really? Maybe God thought we shouldn’t meet Faith replied with a smile, not giving Gloria any dignity.
“Perhaps, but now I’ve met you because of Bonnie. That’s fate. Gloria’s smile was chilly. She turned to Neil, ‘Don’t you agree, Neil?”
Neil glanced up at Gloria with icy eyes that were as venomous as a snake’s. I was puzzled. Why would they choose to work together if they seemed to loathe each other?
Finally, with a slight smirk, he muttered, “Well, that’s fate for ya.”
At that moment, Bonnie chimed in, I… even though I was born with a severe heart condition, I was lucky enough to receive Karina’s heart through a transplant, which led me to meet Gloria I’m happy to be friends with Neil again, and I’m grateful for the opportunity fate has given me.”
She looked at Neil with hope, expecting some sort of response from him.
Neil did respond, but only with a cold and disdainful look. Bonnie was so taken aback by his gaze that she instantly averted her eyes.
I kept my mouth shut. Oscar’s strange behavior had me on edge, and I couldn’t shake off the unease.”
