32 Everyone turned to see a beautiful woman standing at the end of their table. She was dressed elegantly yet carried herself with an air of poise and sophistication. A hush fell over the crowd as they realized it was none other than Fiona Hernandez, the host of the party. The sudden appearance o
33 The tension in the room surged, as everyone jostled to be in Fiona's good graces, after her revelation. Suddenly, the CEO of the hour, Fiona had transformed from a mere classmate to the pinnacle of success, her achievements casting a long shadow over past judgments. The group's fleeting focus
34 Fiona's eyes sparkled with an unexpected joy at Trevor's intended jab. She turned to Darwin with a sincerity that filled the air with warmth. "Is that true, Darwin? You're divorced?" she asked, her voice tinged with a blend of concern and an odd sense of hopefulness. Darwin, slightly taken abac
35 "How dare you?" Fiona hissed, her eyes blazing. "How dare any of you question Darwin's integrity or success?" Elise and Jessica exchanged nervous glances, suddenly aware they had pushed Fiona too far. Their smiles faltered, their confidence wavering under Fiona's intense gaze. Trevor, however,
36 As they stepped outside, the night air felt brisk against their skin. Fiona led Darwin to where her car was parked, a sleek, black luxury sedan that gleamed under the streetlights. Its elegant lines spoke of speed and comfort, which was the testament to Fiona's taste and status. "I'm so sorry,
37 Lisa froze as her eyes fell upon Darwin. A flurry of emotions passed across her face - surprise, irritation, jealousy. Her perfect smile faded into a tight frown. She blinked to make sure it wasn't just her imagination, then opened them and still saw Darwin. She still Couldn't believe her eyes, Darwin, of all people, was here, and not just that—he was with a woman who could only be described as stunning, far surpassing her own beauty. Jealousy prickled at her heart. How on earth did Darwin, who she had always considered somewhat of a loser, manage to catch the attention of someone as attractive as this woman? "Well, well, if it isn't Darwin," Luke said loudly, catching the attention of nearby diners. "Fancy seeing you in a place like this." Seeing Luke and Lisa together not only reignited Darwin's feelings of betrayal but also left him with a mix of sadness and anger, as old wounds were painfully reopened in their presence. Darwin took a slow breath, steeling himself for
38 Lisa and Luke exchanged glances, scrambling to regain their footing after Fiona's deft rebuttal. Luke cleared his throat, forcing a tight smile. "Now see here, we simply want the best for you both. It would be a shame if...appearances were deceiving." He glanced meaningfully at Darwin. Fiona
39 Their heated exchange was abruptly interrupted by a waiter, who approached with an apologetic yet firm demeanor. "I must ask you to keep the noise down. This is a respectable establishment, and we need to maintain a peaceful atmosphere." Luke's face, now a picture of barely restrained fury, tu