Peter was struggling to hold back his laughter in the driver’s seatÂ
He gripped the steering wheel tightly, biting his lip hard, but his shoulders still shook uncontrollably.Â
Mr. Gibson really is something else. Even his backup plans are set, Peter thought.Â
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The car pulled up in front of the Royal Court Hotel. The entrance was packed with luxury rides. It was obvious that tonight’s party was crawling with big shots.Â
Randolph might not be a businessman, but he held serious clout in the top government circles. With Kelvin as his partner, everyone was scrambling to curry favor with him.Â
Edwina was never one for socializing, so she just stuck close to Kelvin as they walked into the venue.Â
Even with her head down, she couldn’t escape becoming the center of attention.Â
Kelvin was starting to regret his decision. ‘Should’ve just let her wear a T–shirt and jeans,‘ he thought.Â
The guys couldn’t take their eyes off her, and the ladies were all throwing jealous glances her way. Kelvin smoothly looped her hand through his arm.Â
Edwina tried to pull away, but Kelvin just tightened his grip.Â
Kelvin leaned in, his warm breath tickling her ear, making her squirm a little.Â
“If you don’t want everyone chasing you for your number, just play along with me. I’m just helping you fend off all those admirers, Edwina,” Kelvin whispered.Â
Edwina stopped struggling, but she still wore that icy look. Even the big shots trying to chat up Kelvin were left feeling nervous around her.Â
People were whispering, trying to figure out who she was, walking around with that moody, bossy attitude, yet Kelvin was holding her close like she was his queen.Â
“Talk about weaponizing beauty. She’s the definition of it, they all thought.Â
After mingling with many people, Edwina’s face was getting icier by the minute. Right when she was about to lose her patience, Kelvin steered her straight to Adrian’s table.Â
The whole party hall was laid out with a spread. Since most folks were there to talk business, not really to eat, the lighter food was the perfect pick.Â
Off to the side of the hall, though, there was a round table set up.Â
There was a whole spread of dishes on it, including braised ribs, pork hocks, and lobsters.Â
Adrian and his three brothers were chowing down like there was no tomorrow.Â
Brian Mccoy wiped his greasy fingers and waved excitedly at Edwina. “Edwina, come join us. The food is still hot!”Â
This spot felt like a whole other world, totally different from the fake, noisy crowd of the party. Those people were just pure and happy souls enjoying themselves.Â
Kelvin gave Edwina a gentle pat on the shoulder. “Go ahead. No one’s gonna bother you here. I set this spot up just for Adrian and his crew.”Â
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Then he headed back to the center of the party hall to talk shop with Randolph about the next steps for the Luminara satellite project.Â
Edwina quietly took a seat, watching the four guys chow down like there was no tomorrow. Before she knew it, she was actually starting to feel a bit hungry.Â
Adrian was always looking out for her. He had the kitchen send it a few fresh dishes just for Edwina.Â
Edwina, you gotta try this,” Adrian said, sliding a plate her way.Â
Donald Welch, looking a little spaced out, reached over, but Aden stopped him right away.Â
“Hey, hands off. That one’s just for Edwina,” Adrian said, shooting Donald a mock–serious look.Â
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“Thanks,” Edwina said, flashing a smile so enchanting it left Adrian and the guys completely mesmerized, just staring at her in awe.Â
Just then, a voice full of excitement rang out from behind them. Edwina, you’re here too?”Â
A strikingly handsome face with a hint of flamboyance appeared in front of Edwina.Â
Glenn acted friendly and gave Donald a pat on the shoulder. “Hey, buddy, mind scooting over?”Â
Donald obediently moved aside. Glenn wasted no time sliding into the seat next to Edwina.Â
Glenn said, “Edwina, I told you we were meant to cross paths. Who would’ve thought we’d run into each other again?Â
“Let me guess, did Kelvin bring you here, or was it my uncle who invited you?Â
“Probably both. So, who are these guys? Are they your friends?”Â
Glenn had spotted a gorgeous woman from across the room and was all set to chat her up. But as he got closer, he realized it was Edwina.Â
‘Who would’ve thought someone with her attitude could actually have friends, and they all seem to get along so well? So, does that mean she only can’t stand me?‘ Glenn wondered.Â
Instead of feeling down, the thought actually made Glenn even more excited.Â
He was practically itching for a challenge. Women like her, who didn’t make things easy, were exactly his type.Â
The moment Glenn got close, Edwina’s brows furrowed in annoyance, and her appetite disappeared just like that.Â
Edwina shot Glenn a cold look, her tone indifferent. “You never stop talking, do you?”Â
*****Â
Glenn blinked in disbelief. As an infamous flirt, he found himself at a loss for words.Â
He sounded helpless, with a hint of desperation as he tried to win her over. “Edwina, do you really hate me that much?”Â
“Yeah,” Edwina nodded, not missing a beat.Â
Adrian saw right through Glenn’s intentions and didn’t hesitate to shut him down.Â
He said, “Honestly, man, you should just give it up. Edwina wouldn’t even go for someone like Mr. Gibson, so what makes you think you’ve got a shot? Forget it.”Â
“Wait, so she’s not into Kelvin?” Glenn asked, his eyes lighting up.Â
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most important detail right away.Â
Glenn zeroed in on the mostÂ
“Sweet. That means I’m still in the game!” Glenn said.Â
Edwina shot Glenn an impatient look, watching him act like a weirdo.Â
He’d just ruined the last peaceful corner of the party hall. She got up, deciding she needed some peace, and headed for theÂ
restroom.Â
Glenn tried to follow her, but Adrian pulled him back.Â
Adrian wasn’t about to let some opportunist try to steal Kelvin’s girl.Â
“Hold up. Since you called me bro, I’ve got a few things to say to you…” Adrian said.Â
The hem of Edwina’s dress trailed a little long, so she made sure to lift it carefully, not wanting it to get dirty.Â
Since she believed that it was a keepsake from someone who’d passed on, she handled it with even more care than she did her own designs.Â
Now that all the noise was behind her, Edwina could finally relax her nerves slowly settling down.Â
About ten yards from the restroom, near the stairwell exit, Edwina picked up on the low murmur of four voices.Â
The Royal Court Hotel was packed tonight, and the party hall was buzzing with noise. She wondered who would be sneaking off to a quiet corner like this.Â
She perked up, instantly sensing a hint of danger in the air.Â
The four were barely whispering, almost just breathing their words.Â
Edwina crept closer, making sure not to tip them off.Â
One of them whispered, “Let’s make sure we’ve got this straight. Randolph is the main target. He doesn’t leave here alive tonight.Â
“This one’s the backup target. None of you has seen her before, so get a good look at her.”Â
The speaker held up a photo.Â
Edwina’s heart skipped a beat when she saw the photo. She was actually the person on the photo.Â
The person continued, “That woman actually saved Randolph last time. If it weren’t for her, we’d have finished the job already. The bosses are furious. Take her out, and we’ll get an extra 300 thousand dollars.Â
“Understood?”Â
The other three nodded in agreement.Â
Edwina’s face darkened.Â
Edwina thought, ‘So, the leader of the Ash Wings is only worth 300 thousand dollars now? Since when did my value go down?Â
“Trying to pull something in a place crawling with security means that they have other helpers. But so far, I’ve only spotted these guys.Â
Where are the rest of them hiding?‘Â
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Chapter AnÂ