Chapter 128
Chapter 128
As soon as Shepard walked in, he instantly became the center of attention.
Everyone stopped what they were doing and turned to look at him.
Shepard tried to let go of Briana’s hand, but he just couldn’t bring himself to do it.
He felt uneasy.
‘It felt as if I let go, Briana might just vanish, Shepard thought.
After thinking it over, he held on tighter and slipped her hand into the crook of his arm.
“Link arms,” he instructed.
Briana replied, “What happens if I don’t?”
“I’ll kiss you right here in front of everyone,” Shepard said.
Briana was just lost for words.
She clutched Shepard’s suit sleeve and grumbled, “Alright, I get i!”
“Smile,” Shepard said again. “You know the drill.”
“I just don’t want to, okay?” Briana grumbled.
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Shepard was just about to say something when people started crowding around, glasses in hand, all ready to raise a toast.
But just then, Charles pushed his way through the crowd and squeezed to the front.
“Charles?” Briana blurted out, surprised to see him.
She stared at him, stunned.
Briana wondered, ‘How did he even get in here?
This is a high–end business party, and only the big shots in Belaris were invited. People worth billions.
‘Charles definitely is not on the guest list.‘
Charles said with a cheeky grin, raising his glass, “Well, if it isn’t my sister and Shepard. Long time no see, Shepard. How about you give me a toast?”
Sure, Charles was technically Shepard’s brother–in–law.
But with a reputation for trouble and laziness, did he really deserve a personal toast from Shepard?
The people nearby instinctively stepped back, not wanting to ge mixed up with Charles.
No one wanted to risk being too close, in case Shepard decided vent his anger on whoever happened to be nearby.
Everyone was just here for the drama.
“Alright,” Shepard replied. “To be fair, I really ought to toast you
Even Charles himself was stunned.
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Chapter 128
Charles thought, ‘Well, damn.
‘Did hell just freeze over or something?
‘Shepard’s actually showing me some respect!”
Shepard picked up a wine glass from the waiter’s tray and lightly tapped it against Charles’s.
He held his glass just half an inch lower than Charles’s.
Then he raised his glass and took a sip.
Charles was stunned for a moment, then took a sip as well.
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He felt seriously out of place. After being looked down on by Shepard for so long, getting this sudden respect made his skin crawl.
“Hey,” Charles whispered, giving Briana’s sleeve a little tug. “What’s with your husband?”
“Ex–husband, not my husband,” Briana shot back.
“Same difference.” Charles shrugged.
“Beats me. Maybe he’s just in a good mood,” Briana replied.
Charles pressed, “Why’s he in such a good mood?”
“How would I know? I’m not inside his head,” Briana retorted. “But hey, since he’s all smiles, why not strike while the iron’s hot and see if you can get something out of him?”
“Strike while the iron’s hot?” Charles blinked in surprise.
“Yeah, just ask him for something totally unreasonable. Odds are he’ll probably say yes,” Briana said.
Charles looked doubtful. “Seriously?”
“Just give it a shot and see what happens,” Briana said with a shrug. “If you don’t try, you’ll never know.” “Alright, but you gotta back me up. Whisper a few sweet words to him when you get the chance,” Charles said.
Charles was all smiles, practically glowing.
After Shepard toasted him, people around suddenly saw Charles in a whole new light.
Especially since a few of his business partners were at the party tonight. They’d been working closely with him lately.
With Shepard’s respect and courtesy, Charles suddenly felt ten feet tall.
“Shepard,” Charles said, “I’ve got a few friends here I’d like you to meet. They’re all my friends, and we’ve been working together on some business deals.
“If you have any promising projects in the future, maybe you could keep them in mind.”
Without waiting for Shepard to respond, Charles waved his friends over.
Normally, not just anyone could get an introduction to Shepard but Charles wasn’t about to let that stop him.
Shepard’s face stayed unreadable, still holding his wine glass, betraying no emotion.
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He shot a look at the people gathered around Charles.
He thought, ‘Friends?
Business partners?
I didn’t recognize a single one of them.
And on top of that…Something just felt off.”
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Anyone with real clout in Belaris, Shepard had at least heard of them. Even if it was just a passing meeting or a glance at their profile, he’d have some impression.
But these guys? Not a single one rang a bell for him.
“Good evening, Mr. Carter,” one of them greeted.
“A toast to you, Mr. Carter,” another chimed in.
“It’s an honor to meet you, all thanks to Mr. Lane,” a third added
Shepard remained stone–faced, lifting his glass in a perfunctory gesture, making it clear he couldn’t care less.
Then he turned on his heel and headed straight for the heart of the party.
Honestly, wherever Shepard went, that was the center of attention.
“What’s Charles been up to lately?” Shepard asked, turning to Briana. “Any idea?”
Briana shrugged, “Seems like he is into some business deal lately. Henry and Eric got him connected.”
“End it,” Shepard ordered, his voice firm.
“What?” Briana stared, surprised.
“I said, end it. No more contact with them,” Shepard repeated flatly.
Shepard always got straight to the point.
“Why?” Briana asked, frowning. “Since when do you meddle in Charles’s business? What does it bother you to see him finally getting somewhere?”
“I’m just trying to help you guys out,” Shepard said.
“Help us? You barely know anything about them. You just saw Charles and his buddies for a minute, and now you think you’re doing us a favor?” Briana shot back.
Shepard pressed his lips together. “Up to you if you want to believe me.”
“Charles has been all about his business lately. No drinking, no first time I’ve ever seen him actually working once. Just let him
abbing, not even bringing girls home,” Briana said. “It’s the
wild for a change.”
Briana thought, ‘It’s not like there’s anything left at home for him to screw up anyway.
‘Charles doesn’t have much cash for his name.
‘Worst case, he’ll just blow through whatever money he’s got.
‘But what if Charles actually gets lucky and turns things around? What if he really makes it big?‘
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“This is me giving you a heads–up. Don’t come crying to me when things go south,” Shepard said.
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Briana just brushed him off and headed straight for the dessertble, lowering her head as she browsed through the selection of mini cakes.
Just as Briana was about to pick up a strawberry cream cake, a hand darted in and swiped it away before she could even touch it.
Briana frowned, glancing up to see who it was.
“Sophia?” she blurted out.
“It’s me, sis,” Sophia said, snatching the cake and scooping a bite into her mouth with a provocative smile. “Mmm, sweet. Figures you’d pick the best one. I knew I’d like it.”
“Ever since we were kids, you always had to snatch whatever I liked, didn’t you?” Briana retorted.
“That’s right,” Sophia nodded, her eyes glinting with mischief. “Not just things. Even people. If I want them, I’ll take them.”
Briana chuckled. “People? Wait, are you actually trying to steal Shepard from me now?”
“You can’t even keep your spot as Mrs. Carter. If you can’t handle someone as basic as Vivian, then I guess it’s up to me to show you how it’s done,” Sophia said.
“Okay,” Briana said without hesitation. “If you think you can pull it off, I’d love to see it. Need a hand? I can hook you up with all the dirt on Shepard. Where he goes, what he likes, whatever you need to snag him faster.”
Briana’s laid–back attitude left Sophia totally speechless, not knowing how to react.
“Go ahead and steal all the guys you want,” Briana said, her tone mocking. “But this cake? You’re not getting it.”
Before Sophia could react, Briana snatched the strawberry cake from her hand and shoved it right into her face.
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