Callie remained silent; she didn’t want this identity.
Alayah studied the woman in front of her, who was as calm as a still lake. She had to admit, Callie had an undeniable grace. Losing to such a person didn’t feel like a complete failure. It was just jealousy.
After finishing her cigarette, Alayah frowned. “You’re so calm. Aren’t you afraid I’ll expose you to the media?”
“You won’t.”
“Why not?”
“Because doing so would only help me.”
Alayah was taken aback and stared at her. “What if I deliberately smear your name?”
“Nelson won’t let you.”
“Confident, aren’t you?”
Alayah walked past her, muttering as she brushed by, “I don’t dare touch you, but I’m waiting for you to fall from grace.”
Callie smiled faintly, brushing her hair back without responding.
At today’s annual meeting, Regan also attended, brought by an elder. Her background wasn’t good, and everyone was surprised to see her at the banquet, their eyes full of ambiguous meanings.
Throughout the event, Regan clung to Nelson. While he chatted softly with others, she sat quietly by his side. To the uninformed, it might seem she was interested in him. However, those in the know understood that she was considered Nelson’s sister, and the Oconnor family would never accept an illegitimate child.
Nelson maintained his host demeanor without showing any impropriety. When he couldn’t tolerate it anymore, he gently reminded her, “Regan, you’re a guest today. I’ll invite you separately another time. But on an occasion like this, it’s hard to attend to everything.”
Regan smiled seductively when he spoke to her. “I just saw that woman. I dislike her. I don’t want you to appear with her at such events. Do you understand, Nelson?”
Nelson raised his eyes, searching for Callie’s figure in the hall. She wasn’t there.
“I won’t do that.” Since that day, they hadn’t spoken for several days and had been avoiding each other at Paucaster Villa Complex.
“Really? So Nelson still has some sense. I thought you’d impulsively announce your engagement. Last time it was a celebration banquet; this time it’s the annual meeting. If you say it now, the whole world will know,” Regan mocked.
“The more you speak, the more embarrassing it will be for you,” Nelson retorted coolly.
She grew anxious and felt aggrieved. “I still don’t understand why. Why not Marilyn? How is she inferior to that woman? Why do you have to degrade yourself like this?”
Nelson finally looked serious, taking a drink from the waiter’s tray and handing it to her. “Are you sure you want to continue?”
Regan froze, ultimately not daring to provoke him further. “Anyway, I’m here tonight to watch over you for Marilyn.”
Childish behavior. Nelson didn’t take it to heart. He set down his glass and said one last thing before leaving, “Mind your own business.”
The event was lively today. Callie had been busy all day and finally found a moment to relax on a quiet balcony, letting the cold wind clear her mind.
She felt much more awake now. Holding a bottle of wine, she didn’t look back at the festivities behind her and took sip after sip. It felt like there was a hole in her heart that wouldn’t heal.
“Callie.”
Cora appeared behind her at some point. Callie turned around, the cold wind lifting her long hair.
“What’s wrong? Miss Weber isn’t busy enough?” Callie asked with a hint of sarcasm.
“You should divorce Mr. Oconnor. If you insist, he will agree,” Cora said seriously. “I know your family is struggling. I can help you, but only if you divorce him.”