Chapter 49
Two days had gone by in the blink of an eye and Lionel’s
50th birthday party had begun.
Out of everyone present, Evangeline was the most excited, after all, she and her mother had big plans for tonight, plans that was sure to secure her position as Gadreel’s future wife.
All she had to do was wait and keep in a good mood for tonight. But that very little task proved to be a little difficult, especially when Ivory showed up with Lucien by her side, stealing all the
attention.
“That damn bitch,” she cursed under her breath, her eyes glued on Ivory. “She’s always trying to outdo me.”
“Relax,” Samantha soothed her. “Don’t let her get to you. She’s only being so pompous because of the doctor, and that won’t last long. He’ll get bored soon and dump her, but you, you’re going to be the future Mrs. Ødegaar. We’ll make sure of that tonight, so prepare yourself.”
Evangeline nodded her head, her anger dying down a bit as she saw reason with her mother’s
words.
“Your father is coming over, let’s go greet him.” Samantha said, leading her towards Lionel, but much to their surprises, he didn’t spare them a glance, rather, he walked right past them and greeted Ivory.
“I’m glad you could make it,” He said and turned his attention to Lucien. “Thank you for coming Mr. Varga. The honor is mine.”
Lucien smiled. “The honor is mine. Happy birthday sir.”
“Please, don’t address me so formally, I’m sure you and Ivory’s relationship is better than that,” Lionel added. “You can call me Father.”
His words had Ivory’s face twisting with disgust. Father? What the hell was he insinuating? However, she didn’t voice her displeasure, rather she allowed Lucien to make his decision. “I think uncle, would be more appropriate for the time being.”
Lionel laughed at his words, but made no effort to reject the suggestion. As Samantha and Evangeline watched the interaction, both couldn’t help but boil in anger.
Evangeline especially, who felt like her father had just ignored her and was paying more attention to Ivory.
“Mother.”
“Just stay calm. I’m sure your father has his reasons.” Samantha Soothed.,
Chapter
Evangeline gritted her teeth, but nodded and stayed put.
At that very moment, the music in the party hall switched into a slow music and Samantha, grinned after getting an idea.
“Go find Gadreel and dance with him.” She suggested. “Your father’s part is such a big event and with so many people around, this is a sure way to show them how great of a match the two of you are.”
“Really?”
“Yes,
it’ll make people see just how perfect and smooth you and Gadreel’s relationship is.”
“Okay,” Evangeline was pleased with her mother’s suggestion and at once, went on a search for her target.
It wasn’t hard, Gadreel was a tall and handsome man and easy to spot, so she easily found him at the back end of the party hall, standing by the large window and sipping on a non alcoholic
drink.
“Reel!” She called out, smiling. “There you are, I’ve been looking all over for you.”
Gadreel didn’t answer immediately. His gaze lingered elsewhere before he looked at her and flashed a soft smile.
“Is everything okay?”
Evangeline nodded her head as she stretched out her hand. “More than okay, so why don’t you dance with me?”
“Dance?”
“Yeah, will you dance with me?”
Gadreel was a bit hesitant. The party wasn’t his thing and neither was dancing, especially not in public.
But Evangeline was looking at him with the cutest puppy dog eyes.
He couldn’t say no to her.
“Sure.” He accepted her hand.
Smiling brightly, Evangeline led him to the dance floor. Gadreel placed a hand on her waist and held her hand as they began to slowly sway to the beat of the music.
All around them, people whispered and their eyes lingered and Evangeline basked in the glory
of it all.
Gadreel however, had his attention elsewhere. His gaze was locked on Ivory and Lucien, watching as the two stood off to the side, ignoring those who had chosen to dance and
Chapter49
instead, opted to chat.
They were so caught up in their little conversation, exchanging laughs every now and then- and noticeably, Lucien’s hands which rested on Ivory’s shoulder- that they didn’t notice anyone or anything.
And when Ivory did notice his stare, she simply looked away and ignored him like he was…no
one.
Gadreel couldn’t help but frown. There was an ugly feeling swirling in his chest, something he couldn’t explain.
He tried ignoring the feeling along with Ivory, and rather, concentrate on Evangeline, but every now and then, his eyes would wander over and land on the CEO.
After a few times, Ivory couldn’t help but sigh. She could feel Gadreel’s glare and it was making the night more worse than she had bargained.
Why did she even agree to come with Lucien again?
“V,” Said man’s voice placed a stop to her train of thoughts. “I have to step out for a bit, I’ll be right back, Kay?”
“Where are you going?” She couldn’t help but ask, a bit curious.
“Just a few phone calls, it shouldn’t take long.” He assured.
Ivory hesitated, but nodded. She didn’t want to be alone and left to fend for herself at a party she didn’t even want to come to, but there was no reason for her to go with or stop him.
“Alright, I’ll just be here then.”
Lucien chuckled and petted the top of her head. “I won’t be long.”
After saying that, he left. Not long after, she felt a tap on her shoulder.
Turning, she saw the face of one of the house maids.
“Ms. Remington,” she greeted with a bow. “The head maid has been looking for you all evening.”
Ivory frowned, feeling guarded. “What for?”
“She says it’s your
mother’s painting,”
All at once, the guarded expression was replaced by genuine concern and worry at the mention of her mother’s precious treasure.
“Is everything alright?”
“We can’t be certain. She would like you to come and see.”
Ivory nodded her head, without any hesitation and began heading towards the main bedroom
where the painting hung.
Her movement quickly caught Gadreel’s attention. Without thinking too much, he let go of Evangeline’s hand.
“Excuse me for a little while. I’ll be back.” Was all he said and left without giving her the
chance to answer.
Ivory made her way through the hallway, maneuvering the place she once called home and soon arriving at her mother’s painting room.
When she stepped in, she was met with… nothing and no one.
Ivory frowned. Where was the head maid? She thought, walking further into the room to examine her mother’s paints.
Safe for the dust on them, everything seemed fine.
So what was the head maid going on about and…her frown deepened.
What the hell was that weird smell?
It smelt awfully sweet and familiar. Almost like… aphrodisiac!
Ivory’s eyes went wide and she quickly held her breath and turned around to leave, but in that very moment, she bumped into someone.
