Chapter 4 Attending Banquet

• The atmosphere inside the vehicle was slightly tense. Eric drove the car in the driver's seat while Eileen sat quietly in the back.
• Eileen stole a glance at Eric through the rearview mirror and caught sight of his brooding eyes. She figured it made sense for him to react in that manner. After all, she did attempt to drug him a few days ago. If it weren't for Will's order, Eileen reckoned Eric wouldn't have wanted to see her again.
• Eric was a little taken aback because, since the moment they met that day, Eileen had been behaving quite differently from before.
• Usually, whenever she saw him, she would immediately run up to him and cling to his arm. On the contrary, Eileen was oddly calm today.
• Despite what happened several days ago, she would typically cling to him again after a short period whenever he scolded her in the past.
• He wondered if that could be a new tactic she was employing.
• As those thoughts swirled in his mind, Eric abruptly regained his senses. Isn't it wonderful that she's no longer latching onto me? Why am I thinking about these?
• Eric quickly decluttered his thoughts and stepped on the gas pedal, accelerating the car.
• The banquet was held at Euphoria Hotel, a well-established five-star venue.
• As soon as they exited the vehicle, a valet swiftly offered to help them park the car while a hotel staff led them to the banquet hall.
• The opulent hall was already filled with many distinguished guests. The banquet that night was to celebrate Henry Gaunt and his wife's golden wedding anniversary and was attended by prestigious figures of Hulbury.
• Eric, accompanied by Eileen, approached and greeted Henry. The older gentleman's wife, Valerie Shurmer, standing at one side and grinning at Eileen, asked, “Are you the young lady from the Swan family? You've grown so much. Is this your boyfriend?”
• Before Eileen could reply, Eric forestalled her, saying, “Old Mrs. Gaunt, I'm Eileen's stepbrother.”
• Clarity washed over Valerie at once. “You must be Eric, right? I've heard about you. You're a rare talent in the business world!”
• Eric nodded slightly and chirped, “You're flattering me, Old Mrs. Gaunt.”
• The corner of Eileen's mouth twitched. He's genuinely in a hurry to dissociate himself from me.
• At that point, she could already roughly guess Will's intention in asking her and Eric to attend that event together. Will wanted more people to recognize the sibling relationship between her and Eric, so she would abandon her foolish feelings for Eric sooner.
• For Will, nothing was more important than his reputation. He viewed her love for Eric as a potential source of humiliation that could tarnish his image if words were to get out.
• Such painstaking efforts... However, Eileen had already died once. Her affection for Eric had also worn away after the countless days of despair she experienced.
• At that moment, she no longer harbored any hope to have a future with him.
• She spent the evening being paraded around by Eric, forced to smile and exchange pleasantries with every guest they encountered. By the end of it, Eileen couldn't bring herself to smile anymore.
• Suddenly, Eric halted in his tracks and turned to her. “You can roam around on your own. I have to step away for a bit.”
• She nodded, feeling utterly glad to be away from him.
• Noticing he had walked away, Eileen picked up a glass of champagne from a nearby table and started sipping it. While watching the elegantly dressed men and women dance to the music on the dance floor, she unknowingly consumed glass after glass of the alcoholic drink.
• Feeling slightly intoxicated, Eileen staggered out of the banquet hall for some fresh air to sober up.
• As she made her way to the courtyard, she heard a sultry female voice that caused her to stop in her steps instinctively.
• “Eric, aren't you afraid that young lady from the Swan family will find out that you're meeting with me?”
• Eileen froze. Then, she quickly hid behind a large tree and discreetly peeked in the direction of the voice.
• That woman speaking was dressed provocatively with long, wavy hair cascading down her waist. Her arms were crossed in front of her ample chest, accentuating her deep cleavage.
• The next second, a familiar voice rang out. “Eileen? Why would I be afraid of her? Regarding the matter I asked you to handle, how is it going?”
• It's really Eric! Who is this woman, and what did Eric tell her to do? Eileen tilted her head, straining to listen to their conversation.
• “Don't worry. Everything is progressing smoothly. Still, isn't that Eileen obsessively in love with you? Haven't you ever considered using her? That way, you can attain your goals much easier.”
• Eric furrowed his brows and said coldly, “No one is to lay a finger on Eileen for now. I still have a use for her.”
• “Tsk. I thought you might have a soft spot for her. It seems she's not that capable either, failing to capture your heart even after so many years.”
• The woman winked at Eric and even leaned closer to him.
• Eric gazed at her in amusement, uttering leisurely, “I'm not interested in an underdeveloped brat.”
• As he spoke, he reached out to grasp one side of that woman's bosom and casually groped her.
• “Ah! You're so mean! You're hurting me!” While intoning coyly and swatting his hand away, that woman curled her seductive red lips into a playful smirk, prompting the atmosphere to turn highly sensual at once.
• Eileen rolled her eyes. Whether it was in her past or current life, Eric's habit of cheating hadn't changed.
• Despite her indifference and having given up on him, she still felt somewhat uncomfortable listening to those words in person, especially his demeaning and disdainful remarks about her.
• I can't believe I ended up in ruin for his sake in my previous life. While she bitterly reflected on that, Eric was already preparing to return to the banquet hall.