Chapter 462

"Lucas, it's quite unusual for you to invite your fiancée to join our drinking session." Trevor Hannigan swirled his wine glass, his teasing gaze fixed on Lucas Laurent as he chuckled.

Lucas remained silent.

Sophia Hill hurled a handful of snacks at Trevor. "Stop your nonsense! What ridiculous things are you spouting?"

Dodging the flying snacks, Trevor laughed. "We all move in the same social circles. Who doesn't know about the engagement between the Hills and the Laurents?"

The engagement between these two prominent families had become common knowledge in their social sphere. It was an arranged marriage that had been meticulously planned for months. Even if Sophia wanted to deny it, she couldn't escape this reality forever.

Damian Santiago, seated beside Lucas, joined in the teasing with a smirk. "Adrian, aren't you going to start considering marriage plans? You're not getting any younger."

Adrian Boucher set down his glass. "There's no rush."

"No rush? You're practically the same age as Nathan. Speaking of which, it's been years since Nathan last joined our gatherings."

Trevor glanced at Damian. "He's a family man now. Not like you, still playing the field as a bachelor."

"Hey, when have you ever seen me chasing women? Don't slander me like that. There are ladies present." All eyes turned toward Evelyn Vanderbilt at Damian's remark.

Evelyn had been quietly swirling her wine glass in the corner since their arrival, drinking alone.

Suddenly, someone slid into the seat beside her.

Both Lucas and Adrian tensed slightly.

Jordan Lichtenberg, unaware of Evelyn's identity and slightly intoxicated, draped an arm around her shoulders with his signature playboy charm. "You gentlemen have been neglecting this beautiful lady, leaving her to drink alone. Don't worry darling, I'll keep you company."

As Sophia opened her mouth to intervene, Adrian's voice turned icy. "Jordan, do you know who she is?"

Trevor and Damian, noticing Adrian's changed expression, studied Evelyn more closely, finding her vaguely familiar.

Too tipsy to care, Jordan shrugged. "Who is she? How should I know? Isn't she here to get drunk like the rest of us?" Just as Adrian was about to speak, Evelyn clinked her glass against Jordan's. "Exactly, we're all here to enjoy ourselves tonight. Let's make it memorable."

Both Lucas and Adrian seemed taken aback by her composed response, sensing something amiss.

Sophia leaned forward with a dark expression. "If you get drunk with Mrs. Goldmann tonight, your head might very well end up floating in the Yurp River tomorrow."

'Mrs. Goldmann!'

The name instantly sobered Jordan. "What did you just say?"

"So this is Mrs. Goldmann..." Trevor looked astonished. They'd heard of her but never met in person. The announcement of her marriage to Nathan Goldmann had caused a sensation, published in newspapers everywhere. Now he recognized that familiar face.

Jordan immediately withdrew his arm from Evelyn's shoulders and scooted away. No matter how reckless he was, he wouldn't dare flirt with Nathan Goldmann's wife!

Lucas stood and took Jordan's vacated seat while Evelyn simply held her untouched wine glass. Her expression revealed neither joy nor sorrow—just a quiet melancholy.

Setting down her glass, she rose gracefully. "Please continue your drinks. I need some air."

"Zoe!" Sophia stood abruptly.

But Evelyn had already exited the private room.

Sophia moved to follow, but Adrian stopped her. "I'll go. It's not safe for a woman alone out there, and your presence wouldn't make much difference anyway."

Watching Adrian don his mask and cap before pursuing Evelyn, Sophia could only stand helplessly, uncertain what to do next.