Chapter 1381:
Catching Zoie’s hesitation, Lawrence scowled. “What are you staring at?”
Gritting her teeth, Zoie hissed, “You might want to see this for yourself.”
Lawrence followed the direction of her stare and soon found Wesley and Elena joining the party.
Their arrival made waves across the room. Heads swiveled. Chatter fizzled out. For a split second, every guest turned their attention to the newcomers.
Bounding forward, Jaxon greeted them with a burst of excitement. “Mr. Spencer! Miss Harper! You made it! My grandfather’s going to be over the moon. We’re so glad you could join his birthday celebration.”
Jaxon hadn’t slept easily since that incident at the boutique, worried Wesley would eventually take revenge. No blow had ever landed, though. Wesley hadn’t made a move.
Reassurance washed over Jaxon as he saw Wesley and Elena. As long as the peace held, their presence was more than welcome.
“Mr. Spencer, you are looking sharp as ever tonight—probably the most handsome man in Klathe. Miss Harper, you’re radiant. Nobody else in this city could hold a candle to you. You two really do make the perfect couple,” Jaxon said, giving them both a theatrical thumbs-up.
Elena cut his flattery short. “Save it, Jaxon.”
Jaxon blinked and then gave a quick, nervous nod. “Of course, Miss Harper. Whatever you say!”
Curious, Elena gave Wesley a look, as if wondering what he had done to inspire such an over-the-top welcome.
Wesley’s response was a calm, quiet smile. He had done nothing at all.
“Please, both of you, sit up front. The best seats are yours,” Jaxon insisted, desperate to keep them happy.
Before anyone could move, a sharp-tongued comment rang out from behind.
“Who does she think she is, walking in like she owns the place? Shameless,” Zoie muttered, her tone dripping with disdain. “Looks aren’t a free pass to act however you please.”
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Without bothering to face the source of the insult, Jaxon placed both hands on his hips. “Who’s spouting nonsense about Miss Harper? You must be the one who needs glasses.”
Dark clouds seemed to pass over Zoie’s features. “Excuse me? Care to repeat that?”
Spinning around, Jaxon let out a chilly laugh. “You heard me. Only someone blind could talk like that—”
His words trailed off as soon as he caught sight of Zoie and Lawrence. Long days spent trailing behind Malcolm had made Lawrence’s and Zoie’s faces impossible to forget.
While Jaxon never had much regard for Zoie, he knew he couldn’t pick a fight with her. The Spencer family and the Boyd family lived in entirely different worlds. Uncomfortable, he quickly forced himself into silence.
Refusing to engage with Jaxon, Zoie turned on her heel and jabbed a finger at Elena. “A few days with Wesley and you already strut around like you own the place. If you ever actually marry into the Spencer family, the whole family will fall apart!”
The look Wesley shot Zoie could have frozen her in place. “Take your hand down.”
A chill ran down Zoie’s spine, and she snatched her hand back almost instantly. It took a moment for her to realize she had surrendered so easily, which only deepened her scowl.
Irritation bubbling over, Lawrence yelped, “Wesley, mind your attitude! You’re speaking to your stepmother. Show some due respect.”
Lawrence had always treated Wesley with contempt, forever looking for an opportunity to undermine him.
Before, Wesley let Lawrence’s nonsense roll off him. But tonight, he couldn’t just let it slide. Things were different now—he had someone he held dearly.
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