Memories Drifted Like Paper Boats by Zyra Cole 18

Chapter 18 

Edwina lifted her eyes, locking wi 

with Kelvin’s intense stare. 

In that instant, sparks flew between them like lightning meeting wildfire. The tension in the car was almost palpable, their auras clashing fiercely before everything slowly settled back into calm, uneasy silence. 

“Labs are never dirty places. That’s where the real treasures are. Kelvin said. 

“Mr. Gibson, it’s music to my ears to hear you praise scientific research. Edwina replied. 

Kelvin didn’t respond, but the faint smile on his lips lingered. 

Peter didn’t dare say a word. He quickly started the car and headed for the venue. 

They were on their way to a wine–tasting dinner thrown by the Hoffman family, the biggest winemaking dynasty in Grindel It was the highlight of the year for Grindel’s social scene. 

Basically, it was just an excuse to bring together all the city’s elite giving them a chance to network and mingle. Business deals or even marriages would be made in just one night. 

The car pulled up in front of the grand winery, Kelvin stepped out and, with a gentlemanly gesture, offered his hand to Edwina. But she just slipped out the other side herself, leaving him totally hanging. 

Kelvin didn’t get mad. His voice was steady and calm. “Edwina, since you’re my date tonight, you should know the rules for making an entrance, right?” 

“No.” Edwina shot back, cold as ice. 

Without missing a beat, Kelvin grabbed her hand and slipped it into the crook of his arm. “Like this. Now do you get it? 

“Edwina, since you agreed to come, stick to your role. Don’t flake out or break your promise. 

‘Ugh, what a jerk! Edwina fumed inwardly. But she didn’t want to get a reputation for going back on her word, so she had no choice but to obediently walk in at his side. 

Kelvin stepped into the room. instantly outshining everyone else he was the undeniable center of attention, the one nobody could ignore. 

Every single gaze in the hall landed on him, the mastermind bend Grindel’s economy, who had claimed the top spot on the global wealth rankings while still so young. 

Wearing nothing but a simple black suit, he exuded a magnetic, commanding presence. Those deep eyes of his, sharp and dangerous, made it clear that no one else in the room could even come close. 

But what really blew everyone’s minds was that Kelvin actually owed up with a date. 

Ever since Kelvin took over the Gibson family business, nobody had ever seen him bring a woman with hum, not once. 

Edwina was rocking a plain white tee, track pants, and sneakers 

It was as basic as it got, but with her jaw–dropping beauty, she su stole the spotlight the moment she walked in. 

A few big shots came over, eager to get 

“Mr. Gibson, you really lucked out tonight. Who is your late? St gorgeous” one of them said. 

“Shed look even n more stunning in a fancy dress another ch 

mu, Jan | 

Chapter 18 

Edwina couldn’t care less about all those empty compliments. 

Kelvin smirked. “I had a 10–million–dollar dress ready for her here we came, but she didn’t like it and got mad 

Edwina was totally bludvided 

Kelvin had just made her out to be his spoiled, temperamental le wife. 

“True enough, there’s no way Kelvin’s girl would ever run out ofncy dresses, someone teased. 

“Take your time. I’m gonna go look around. Edwina said, turning on her heel and walking off 

Kelvin called out after her, making sure everyone heard, “Sorry,olks. She’s got a bit of a temper.” 

Such a jerk, Edwina seethed inwardly. 

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The liveliest spot at the party was definitely the wine–tasting staon. It featured ten levels, each one offering a selection of fine wines for guests to sample. 

“Hoffman… Edwina muttered to herself. 

Just thinking about that name brought her right back to five year ago. 

‘I wonder if the Hoffman family’s wine has improved lately, Edwa thought, her curiosity piqued. 

She strolled over to the wine–tasting station, picked up a glass, and took a sip. 

The wine was smooth and rich, with a lingering finish, but it was missing that real grape bouquet. Honestly, it was nothing to write home about. 

She reached for a glass from the second level. It was definitely a step up from the first, but didn’t pack much of a punch either. 

Her sneakers made it a breeze to move up the tiered wine station but just as she reached for a glass on the third level, a shrill voice stopped her in her tracks. 

“Dressed like that, you really think you deserve to taste our wine a girl sneered. 

Edwina turned to see a girl dressed like a pink princess, rocking twin ponytails and looking all sweet 

Wait, Willa Hoffman?‘ Edwina thought, instantly recognizing he 

ting Willa 

Edwina remembered meeting Willa five years ago, back when sd visited the Hoffmans. 

re annoyance 

Standing next to Willa was Abby. The moment Edwina saw her, he felt an instant migraine coming on, pure bubbling up inside, 

Abby gave Flwina a mocking glare. “This is Willa, the Hollinan mily’s heiress. If she says you don’t deserve a sip, then you don’t. So get lost. 

“You did live with my family for a while, so don’t make us look L. People will think the Lennox family raised you with no 

to 

manners. 

“And honestly, you’re just some hick from the sticks. Drinking the Hoffmans wine is a total waste for you? 

Abby nudged Willa, who instantly chimed in, “Totally. Such a whe 

Edwina saw it all too clearly. Willa was just an innocent kid, laring used by Albay as her weapon. Nothing more than a tool for Abby to do her dirty work. 

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Chapter 18 

“So who do you think is actually good enough for your family’s ne? Edwina shot back. 

Willa paused, then sneered. “Of course, only people who really low wine. Someone as nasty as you could never appreciate 

it 

Nasty Edwina sneered to herself. T het Abby’s been filling Will head with all sorts of nonsense 

She glanced at the glass in Abby’s hand and smirked. “Oh, so she betually knows anything about wine? 

Abby burst out laughing, like Edwina had just cracked the dumbest joke ever. “The Lennox and Hoffman families had been tight for generations, and I had grown up around wine since I wa kid. If I didn’t know about wine, then no one else did. she thought 

“Edwina, stop acting like you know wine. If you actually do, I swear I’ll never drink again, ever!” Abby scoffed. 

“Ever?” Edwina smirked, her eyes glinting. ‘Now that’s a bet worth taking.” 

Edwina was beyond fed up with Abby. ‘If Abby really had to quit drinking for good, maybe she’d finally stop showing up and getting on my nerves, she sneered inwardly. 

Abby’s smirk got even cockier. Those luxury cars and bling you showed off before? All rented. And now you’re acting like some wine expert just to show off? Edwina, don’t come crying to me when this blows up in your face.” 

She was out to totally embarrass Edwina and make her look like fool in front of everyone. She wanted Desmond and the whole Cole family to see that she was the best choice ever. 

Edwina kept her expression stone cold, not a hint of emotion. ‘Cry? Not in a million years, she thought, utterly unfazed. 

“You’ve got this, Abby. I believe in you!” Willa cheered, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Make her look really bad out there.” 

The wine guessing game was a classic at every Hoffman family party. 

Twop 

people would taste the same wine and try to guess its name ust from the flavor, texture, and notes. The real experts could even call out the vintage. 

If you wanted in on the challenge, all you had to do was ring the bell by the table. But these days, hardly anyone really knew wine, so that bell’d been gathering dust for years. 

Edwina strolled down the steps, picked up the bell, and shook it wice without a second thought. 

The bell rang out sharp and bright through the hall, and everyoile froze in place. 

Whoa, someone actually rang the bell. Who the hell did that?‘ they thought. 

Every head whipped around, and jaws dropped to see it was that girl in sneakers and a plain white tee, the one Kelvin had walked in with. 

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