Her expression immediately darkened, and malice replaced her fake smile.
“Eliza, I was able to get rid of you once, and I can do it again. If you’re smart, you’d leave early. And another thing—Mr. Griffin is out of your league. With your current status, you’re not even fit to care about him.”
I smiled, glancing over her shoulder at the approaching figure.
Reuben walked over with a mocking expression. “If she isn’t fit to care about me, who is? You?”
Melanie’s expression fell as soon as she saw him. She stammered in response, “M-Mr. Griffin, that’s not what I meant.”
He draped an arm over my shoulder, glanced at me to make sure I was fine, and then turned his gaze to Melanie.
“Then what did you mean? If I want her to care about me, how is that any of your business?”
Gasps rippled through the crowd as their eyes darted between us, some openly and some in secret.
At that moment, Edward, my so-called brother, stepped forward to smooth things over for Melanie.
“Mr. Griffin, this is just a little joke between sisters. Nothing serious.”
Devon interrupted as he approached from a distance, “Mr. Jordan, that’s not quite right, is it? As far as I know, Eliza was kicked out of the Jordan family long ago. What kind of sisters are they?”
Edward’s face turned awkward. Both Reuben and Devon were people the Jordans could not afford to offend. He shot Melanie a dark look before sternly addressing her, “Melanie, apologize to Eliza.”
Melanie, who was clearly unhappy, gave me a half-hearted apology before running off. Edward was left standing there, embarrassed.
I could not help but burst out laughing.
Devon walked over to me. “Is it that funny?”
I nodded enthusiastically. It was the first time anyone had sided with me over Melanie.
Looking at the two men by my side, I felt an overwhelming sense of security. I then retreated to a corner, grabbed a small slice of cake, and began to eat.
Suddenly, Reuben tapped me on the shoulder. “Look who’s here.”
I looked up, my eyes lighting up at the sight of the stunning man who had appeared in front of me.
Reuben rolled his eyes. “Eliza, wipe that lovesick look off your face. Didn’t you get enough of him in bed?”
Realizing who it was, I snapped back to reality. “Aden? What are you doing here? Weren’t you supposed to be on a business trip abroad?”
He reached out and pinched my cheek. “If I didn’t come back, I was afraid my territory would be taken over.
“Now, tell me—who are you planning to claim as the father of my child?”
