Chapter 40
Russell looked at her in surprise, thinking she was completely different from how she acted at the bar that night, drinking like crazy and unstoppable.
“It’s fine,” Russell said, glancing at his clothes before adding, ” Was–this also an accident?”
Aveline felt even more embarrassed. “This really was an
accident. How about you give me your jacket, and I’ll clean it for you?”
Russell chuckled. “Here? Now?”
Aveline frowned. “I’m Aveline Young from DK Group’s
Cloudflare City branch. You can send the jacket to my office, and I’ll have it cleaned and returned to you.”
Her sense of boundaries and distance was well executed.
“Aveline…” Russell silently repeated her name, then said, ” Alright, I’ll remember you.”
With that, he turned and walked away.
Aveline sighed in relief. Thankfully, he didn’t pursue the matter. She really didn’t want any more trouble.
On the second floor, near the railing, Sophia watched below with a look of surprise.
Aveline was here too?
How did she get in?
Seeing that Aveline was alone and dressed plainly without any jewelry, Sophia narrowed her eyes.
BONUS
She guessed that Aveline probably didn’t have an invitation.
At such an event, anyone caught sneaking in would be thrown into the sea. Ha!
Aveline resumed her search for Henry. Finally, on another deck, she spotted him chatting happily with a group of people.
Surrounded by many, she couldn’t approach him directly. So, she stood at a distance, quietly waiting for an opportunity.
The night grew darker, the sea beyond the railing a pitch–black expanse with the faint sound of waves gently brushing against the yacht. At that moment, Henry moved, walking with a few others towards the opposite side of the deck.
He was leaving!
Aveline’s heart tightened, and she immediately followed him.
“Mr. Brighton, hello. I’m Aveline Young from DK Group’s Cloudflare City branch and the lead on the Shenton project. I’d like to discuss the design concepts and ideas for the Shenton project with you. I believe no one understands them better than I do!”
She blocked Henry’s path, saying all this in one breath, then waited for his response.
The smile on Henry’s face faded slightly. “But I’ve already received better design plans. I’m not interested in yours.”
Aveline replied, “What you received is my design plan…”
Henry Brighton cut her off, “That’s your issue. Please don’t waste my time.”
At the same time, two servers approached. “Do you have an invitation?”
Aveline’s expression froze.
Henry walked away. Instinctively, she wanted to follow, but the servers blocked her. “Stop. Please show your invitation.”
Their voices were loud, drawing the attention of those around them.
“I…” Aveline began to speak, but then she saw two people not far
away.
Lucas and Sophia.
They stood together like a perfect couple–Lucas tall and handsome, Sophia gentle and graceful.
Aveline suddenly felt deeply embarrassed, like a joke being scrutinized by everyone, and Lucas happened to see it.
Would he mock her for overestimating herself?
Aveline’s fingers clenched tightly.
The server’s tone grew more aggressive, “Please show your invitation. If you can’t, we’ll have to throw you into the sea as per the rules!”
Not far away, Lucas downed his champagne in one gulp and started walking towards Aveline.