Chapter 303

Chapter 303

Maja was kind of taken aback. Her mentor was indeed abroad at an academic conference and hadn’t

yet returned to Greenfield. He hadn’t told her that Carlene was also into painting.

This reminded her of when Ryan mentioned lan’s artistic prowess. It wasn’t surprising that Carlene was

a painter. Maybe that’s why they had stuff in common in the first place.

“Penny, I wish lan would split up with his wife. I hope you can snag him,” Connie said.

Maja, who was busy eyeballing a humongous king crab, rejected the idea immediately.

“Don’t say stuff like that,” she said.

Connie stuck out her tongue. “Just saying what I think. But he digs Carlene. If they break up, he’d

probably put a ring on her.”

“Do you know when they’re tying the knot? Are you going to the wedding?” Maja asked.

“Sounds good. They’re in love. I’d probably go if lan invited me,” Connie replied.

Just as she finished, she called out to someone behind her.

“lan, Carlene, what are you two waiting for? Get in here!”

Maja froze. She turned around to see lan and Carlene standing behind her.

Carlene seemed pretty pleased with herself. Her gaze wasn’t as sharp as before when she looked at

Maja, clearly having heard the conversation.

If she heard it, then so did lan.

But lan just glanced at her, then walked into the house without a word.

Carlene caught up with him, chatting sweetly.

“lan, invite Penny to our wedding. She’s your designer, after all,” she said.

lan stopped in his tracks and replied, “I will.”

Carlene thought he agreed to marry her and beamed even brighter. “Great.”

Maja stood still, waiting for them to move away before letting out a breath.

Connie looked at her, puzzled. “You seem pretty uncomfortable around lan. Did he do something to

you?”

That reminded Maja of the time he had her pinned against the entrance closet, a scene filled with

raging hormones that made her heart race just thinking about it.

She quickly averted her gaze, pretending to keep observing the fish tank.

“No, he’s my boss. I still work for him,” she said.

Connie didn’t think much of it and started watching the seafood with her.

i

“Did Carlene interfere with your work when you were designing Greenfield Gardens? It’s her and lan’s

love nest. She must be proud being lan’s only publicly acknowledged girlfriend.”

Maja disliked badmouthing others. As long as lan liked Carlene, that was enough.

“If it’s her love nest, she obviously has the right to ask me to modify the design,” she said.

Connie looked at her and chuckled. “Penny, you’re such a sweetheart.”

The villa was spacious. It wasn’t a high–end social gathering, but more like a get–together for young

people, so no one was dressed too formally.

Instead, everyone was casual, forming small groups to discuss recent happenings in Greenfield.

The men talked business while the women chatted about gossip and luxury items.

“Did you hear about lan’s wife? Is she really like that?”

“The news is all over the place. What was she thinking, doing something like that after marrying_lan.”

“Do you think lan really cares about her? I bet she just feels empty.”

Dana was sitting next to these ladies. The Shepard family wasn’t in high society, so she couldn’t join

their conversation. She was already lucky to be invited to this gathering.

She then spotted lan and Carlene entering and immediately stood up.

“Carlene, you finally arrived.”

Everyone’s attention was drawn to the entrance by her voice.

Carlene felt like the center of attention. After all, those present were Greenfield’s rich kids.

At these types of gatherings, most men bring a date.

Carlene smiled faintly, knowing she was the one accompanying lan, not his long–forgotten wife.