Chapter 133

Chapter 133

Just beyond a thin wall, the hubbub of a spirited get-together filled the room, where drinks flowed and laughter abounded.

“Out of all of us, it’s Curtis who’s the biggest headache,” someone quipped.

The Class President was a natural organizer, a lover of tradition, who had been throwing these annual reunions since high school graduation.

Although Curtis had been absent for several years, the Class President persuaded him to make an appearance for his mentor Scott’s 60th birthday celebration.

Mr. Scott was at it again, recounting the good old days, stories he delighted in retelling year after year. Curtis hadn’t been around for the past gatherings, but now he was back, and Mr. Scott was all too eager to catch up.

“Remember that time you got into it with… the notorious troublemaker? Landed the poor guy in the hospital. It was a close call, but you managed to smooth things over.”

Curtis, lounging back in his chair, listlessly stirred his tea, clearly unenthused.

“That’s nothing,” chimed in one of the guys, “Word was, you fought over a girl, right? Girls used to chase you around school; never the same one twice. You had your pick of the prettiest ones.”

The mention soured Curtis’ mood for days, and just when he was itching for a fight, someone walked right into his crosshairs.

With a smirk that was half feigned, half genuine, Curtis teased, “You never dated anyone, did you? Was it by choice?”

The classmate, who’d penned countless love letters that sank without a trace, bristled, “I was focused on my studies.”

“Oh?” Curtis’ eyes gleamed with mischief, “And which illustrious university did you. end up at? You never showed up to our top-tier college reunions.”

Someone tried to defuse the tension, “Let’s not dredge up the past.”

Suzan, ever the peacemaker, smiled, “We were just kids, all fun and games. Can’t take any of that seriously.”

Mr. Scott, eager to change the subject, added, “Who would have thought? Curtis turned out to be the most successful of us all. ElitePinnacle Investments, I hear you’re doing. quite well.”

The envious undertone was clear as the classmate added, “Well, his family owns a bank. How could we compete?”

“Jealous?” Curtis quirked an eyebrow lazily, sneering, “Maybe I’ll talk to my dad about

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Chapter 133:

adopting you”

The classmate’s face flushed crimson.

“Hey, has anyone seen Jeremy?” someone asked.

Jeremy? Curtis scoffed internally, “Jeremy was probably off chasing my wife”

Irritated, Curtis stood to step outside for a smoke and some fresh air.

As he rounded the corner, he spotted two classmates taking a break to puff on cigarettes

and gossip.

“Really? Are you sure you weren’t mistaken?”

“I took a photo,” one said, pulling out his phone, “Look, that’s her, right? We met her at Curtis’ wedding. Unforgettable beauty, I couldn’t possibly get it wrong.”

“That can’t be… And who’s the guy?”

“No clue. But they were all over each other, looking cozy.”

Mid-conversation, the phone was snatched away.

see Curtis, his expression icy, studying the photo on the screen.

aux-antique brickwork in the background matched the corridor behind him. The and woman in the picture were entwined intimately.

The man had his arm around the woman, who seemned either drunk or very affectionate, nestled against him.

Her head rested on his shoulder, her face half-hidden. Despite the blurry photo, Curtis

knew instantly.

That was Leanne.

The man’s back was to the camera, his face obscured, but he was clearly young. It was

not Jeremy.

Had Leanne learned to play the field?

Curtis’ face darkened, “Where was this taken?”

Faced with Curtis’ menacing glare, the classmate didn’t dare lie, pointing to a door, ‘Just in there, not long ago, maybe ten minutes.”

Curtis tossed the phone back and strode toward room 2666.

“Curtis?” Suzan emerged from the party, surprised at his haste, “Where are you going?”

The photographer sheepishly explained, “His ex-wife is in there with some guy.”

Suzan hurried after him, “Curtis, you and Leanne are divorced. Whatever she chooses to

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do is her own business, you have no right to get her about it

Curtis seated with rely and age Wher she has that food is to menas kis

cide

He raised his hand to pound on the door

Suzan

moned. “Are you prepared for what you might fed behind that deart

Curte het hovered an inch from the wood Henched it nightly a state coated in frost

unable to thew

Yes, they were divorced Who the saw or how many she saw was her choice

What business was it of his if she came to the club? Who was he to dictate where she

could go

What was he hoping to achieve by knocking? to hear her call him a meddler and tell him

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yelled at him with such cold contempt wishing he’d vanish from the earth.