Chapter 52
However, Scarlett was adamant and refused to let him pass, for she knew that he wouldnât want to
argue with her in front of a crowd. âI admit that we do not have feelings toward each other since itâs a
marriage of convenience. However, bear in mind that if you get involved with Victoria in front of all
these people, you are disregarding our familiesâ reputation!â Her blood boiled when she saw how
annoyed he was at her.
Lucas was tense as he could only watch as Victoria disappeared from his sight. Following that, sorrow
flashed across his amber eyes. After taking a glance at Scarlett, he made his way past her.
âHold on!â She dashed over and stopped in front of him.
âWhat are you trying to do?â He lowered his gaze and glared at her while asking her sternly.
âThereâs a month left until my birthday, and itâs my parentsâ wish to announce our engagement during
the party,â she said while looking grim.
âSo?â He was getting very impatient.
âSo you shouldnât do anything unacceptable since you will soon be my fiance. Otherwise, my family
would become a laughing stock.â His impatience made Scarlett even angrier.
âI donât need you to remind me of what I should or shouldnât do. You just have to mind your own
business!â
âHopefully youâll do as you say and not embarrass me like earlier on.â Noticing that more people were
looking their way, her expression was ghastly as she took his arm and said, âLetâs go. My parents want
to introduce you to a few people.â
Lucas looked at her hand around his arm and pulled himself away.
âAre you trying to let everyone know that we are having an argument because of Victoria?â Scarlettâs
expression was horrible as she tried to hold in her anger.
As Lucas raised his head to look at her, he pulled her arm away and walked into the crowd. Meanwhile,
Christian stood by the second floor railing and witnessed everything that happened. An inexplicable
feeling gushed over him as he gave a look of disdain. He then irritably unbuttoned two buttons on his
shirt.
âChristian, you saw it too.â Bella, who was sitting on her wheelchair, approached him.
Noticing her, he took two steps back to keep a distance from her. âWhat did I see?â
âWhy are you asking me when youâve seen it?â She sighed and continued helplessly, âJust as you saw,
my brother still canât let go of his feelings for her even when she broke my leg. Whatâs more, he already
has a âgirlfriendâ.â
âLucas must be a sentimental man. How nice of him.â Christian said as he looked at the crowd on the
first floor.
âI shall take it as a compliment, but I personally think that this is not necessarily a good thing.â Scarlett
rubbed her brows and seemed unsettled. âMy brother is getting engaged to Scarlett soon, and if an
argument breaks out between them because of Victoria, both the Spritz and Palmer Family would be
embarrassed.â
Hearing that, Christian placed both of his hands on the railing, and his muscles were outlined through
his shirt as they were flexed. âI think I should be giving you some walnuts.â
âHuh?â She was puzzled at the sudden change of topic.
âYour brain must have been working very hard since your words mean more than what youâve said.
Walnuts are brain food, you know.â
âChristian, stop pulling my leg. I just want to confide in someone.â She looked at him bitterly, âSince
Victoria eagerly wants to get her life back, Iâm worried that sheâd bring up marriage to Lucasâmy
foolish brother would happily agree to it.â
âDo your family members have a habit of judging people and calling them fools?â Christian furrowed his
brows upon hearing the word âmarriageâ, but his frown soon disappeared.
âIâm just telling the truth, and Iâm the best example of someone dumb. If I wasnât foolish back then, I
wouldnât have become friends with someone that manipulative.â
âMiss Spritz, who is praised for being a kind person, is talking ill of others behind their backs, eh?â He
mocked.
Upon hearing that, she lifted her head and looked at him with admiration, âYeah, since Iâm only human
and there are times where I feel down too. Isnât it normal for me to want to rant to someone Iâm close to
at times like these?â
Christian ignored her question and smirked at her before walking toward the stairs.
âChristian, were you helping Victoria earlier on?â She followed behind him in her wheelchair and asked
gently.
Christian paused his footsteps and turned around to look at her. âWhy does it matter?â His gaze
darkened as he leaned in and looked her in the eyes, âAre you trying to control my actions?â
âYouâre taking it too seriously. Iâm just curious.â Bellaâs heart sunk as his reaction seemed to be implying
that her concern was true.
âThat would be best.â He stood up and uttered impassively, âI will get someone to carry you
novelxo.com fast updatedown. You shouldnât be moving around since itâs inconvenient for you to do so.
Itâll be bad if you break your leg again.â
âThank you for your concern.â She smiled, but her expression was grim.
On the other hand, Victoria made her way into the crowd in a daze and noticed Evelyn chatting away
with some ladies. Noticing her, a few of them stopped talking and stared at each other. Jessica and
Ellie, who used to be Victoriaâs friends, appeared awkward but were envious of her at the same time.
âThis is Victoria. Iâm sure that all of you know each other, so I shall save the introductions.â Evelyn
didnât notice the change in their expressions and pulled Victoria over to her with a smile.
Noticing that, all of them started chatting again as if the awkwardness between them earlier on had
dissipated.
âMiss Coleman, itâs been two years since we last met. Youâre still as beautiful as ever.â
âMiss Coleman, you seem to have lost weight. Is there a good tip on how to lose weight you could
share with us?â
Both Jessica and Ellie acted all friendly with her. Victoria smirked as it was obvious that they were lying
to her face as the scars on her body and face were apparent to them. However, she couldnât bring
herself to reject Evelynâs kindness and greeted them as usual.
âEvelyn.â Denise and Nancy approached Evelyn together and were surprised to see Victoria standing
by her side.
The smile on Nancyâs face instantly faded, and her expression was glum. Victoria, who noticed their
expression, was disappointed as her parents chose to keep in touch with the Spritz Family even after
cutting ties with her. She wasnât sure whether they had believed in Bellaâs lies or theyâd rather ignore
the truth for the benefit of the Coleman Family.
âHi, Denise and Nancy.â Evelyn beamed as she greeted them.
Hearing that, Denise nodded and looked away after taking a glance at Victoria. However, Nancy
frowned as she asked, âWhy is Victoria here?â
âI havenât seen her for two years, so Iâd like her to spend more time with me. Is there a problem?â
Evelyn responded calmly