Chapter 6

His tone was gentle, as if he were thinking of her in every way.

But Lizzie knew him too well.

Those words were nothing more than a way to ease his own faint sense of guilt.

He was certain she would, as always, be sensible enough to refuse.

“Sure,” Lizzie said.

“Hm? What did you say?” Nathan froze for a moment, not quite processing it.

“I said sure. I’m almost fully recovered. It might be nice to meet your friends.”

Lizzie smiled.

After all, there probably wouldn’t be another chance to see them again.

The next evening, at a private club.

The spacious, well-appointed main hall was open to all members. The lighting was dim, rows of liquor bottles lined the walls, reflecting a warm golden glow.

Further inside were the exclusive VIP rooms.

Lizzie walked in beside Nathan.

She wore a simple beige knit dress, her makeup light and understated.

As the private room door opened, laughter and chatter spilled out.

“Nathan’s here? Oh, you brought someone tonight?”

Someone recognized Lizzie. “This must be Mrs. Hall?”

Lizzie smiled and nodded. “Hello, everyone.”

“You look even better in person than in photos.”

Someone looked her over. “Though there really is a resemblance.”

The moment those words fell, the air stilled for a beat.

Nathan’s brows drew together slightly as he glanced at the speaker.

The man had been drinking and seemed to realize something, letting out an awkward laugh. “I was complimenting her, Nathan. You’ve got great taste.”

Another chimed in with a teasing grin. “Come to think of it, right after Sharon left back then, you suddenly got married. And for three years, you kept your wife completely out of sight. We all thought you…”

He paused, his smile turning suggestive. “Never mind, better not say it.”

Laughter rose again, now tinged with a hint of gossip-fueled excitement.

Lizzie heard every word clearly.

Her expression didn’t change.

She simply lowered her gaze, picked up a glass, and poured herself some lemon water.

Nathan didn’t deny it.

He only frowned and said, “Drink less.”

“What does Mrs. Hall do?” a woman asked, lifting her chin slightly. “I heard she studied art?”

“I used to,” Lizzie replied smoothly. “Now I stay at home.”

“Staying at home is hard work too,” someone chimed in to ease the tension.

“Taking care of someone like Nathan, a total workaholic, must be exhausting. He’s always had high standards for the people around him.”

“Exactly.” Another laughed. “Who doesn’t know what he used to be like? It was always either the company or Sharon.”

“I still can’t believe one flew overseas, and the other suddenly got married.”

They joked as they spoke, deliberately glancing at Lizzie, as if waiting to see her discomfort.

Lizzie met their gazes openly, even feigning curiosity, as though she wanted to hear more.

Beneath the cover of her sleeve, she quietly turned on the voice recorder on her phone.

If they wanted to talk, she’d let them talk more.

Nathan took her reaction as an act of composure.

He seemed about to explain something, his lips parted slightly, but the movement at the door interrupted him.

“She’s here, she’s here.”

Someone stood up. “The main guest has arrived.”

Sharon stood at the doorway, dressed in a simple monochrome outfit with a cashmere shawl draped over her shoulders.

Her softly curled hair was loosely pinned up, revealing the slender line of her pale neck.

She greeted everyone in the room with easy familiarity before someone pulled her over to sit at Nathan’s right.

Lizzie sat on his left.

Someone suggested a round of drinks.

Sharon hesitated, her tone slightly flustered. “I don’t drink.”

“Come on, Sharon. Weren’t you a good drinker before?”

“I stopped after going abroad. I really can’t drink anymore.”

The other person was about to press further.

Nathan immediately took the glass from her hand, his tone firm. “If she’s not drinking, I’ll drink for her.”

“Oh? Nathan, that’s what I call a real man—covering someone else’s drink means you take double,” someone jeered playfully.

Another glanced at Lizzie. “Mrs. Hall, why don’t you have a drink? It’s not every day we get to meet you.”

Lizzie didn’t respond.

Nathan said casually, “Liz, have a few drinks with them. It’s your first time meeting everyone. Don’t spoil the mood.”

“Mrs. Hall, come on, just one!”

The room erupted into cheers, urging her on.

Lizzie curled her lips into a polite smile. “Sorry, I’ve had a cold these past few days. I took some medicine before leaving the house.”

She gently pushed the glass back. “You all go ahead.”

Then she stood, her movements unhurried. “I’ll step out to the restroom.”

She turned and walked out of the private room, closing the door behind her.

The noise and music were instantly cut off, leaving the hallway in quiet contrast.

She stood in the restroom.

In the mirror, the smile faded from her face, leaving behind an expression so calm it felt almost unfamiliar.

Her phone vibrated.

[Victoria: The documents are almost fully organized. We can initiate legal proceedings anytime.]

Lizzie looked at the message, her fingers tapping lightly against the screen.

Back at the door of the private room, cheers erupted from inside. “Kiss! Kiss!”

“Nathan, give us a kiss!”

She stood outside the door and replied to Victoria: [Alright. I’m ready too.]