Chapter 28 Lingering over the Affair
Chapter 28 Lingering over the Affair
Joanna pulled Lilian away from Sebastian in quite a subtle way. Those words of Joanna told everybody else that she was Sebastian's real girlfriend, and explained why the two showed up at the same time. Now everybody thought that Lilian was invited because Sebastian wanted her in his company.
Eleanor didn't want Sebastian to make their marriage public. She was thinking about how to stop her son. Joanna's words really impressed her. Sebastian had always said that he wanted to boom Joanna's popularity, so she was always with him. Joanna was invited to the birthday celebration every year except for this one; she was here without an invitation today.
Douglas didn't like what Joanna just said. He frowned slightly and wanted to say something, only to be interrupted by Eleanor who was standing behind her.
Lilian forgot Joanna was here, too. She understood what the woman was trying to say. The woman said they would be working together, but what was a lie. Joanna didn't want their marriage to go public, and that was all. Lilian looked at Sebastian. The man had to make a choice now, his secret wife or his mistress.
Seeing how aggressive Joanna was, Sebastian frowned. He was silent, and from that silence, Lilian saw hesitation. She thought Sebastian didn't want to break up with his mistress.
Lilian grinned a self-mocking smile and moved her eyes away from him. For a moment just now, she actually had expectations for Sebastian. Then she realized that she would be a fool to do that.
However, the next moment, Sebastian walked towards and pulled Lilian to him. He seemed to have had a long consideration. He looked at Joanna with decisive eyes. Then he bit his lips and said, "I'm sorry, Joanna... it's just..."
Everyone was holding their breath and waiting for what was coming next. It was at that moment that a clear man's voice interrupted the silence. "I'm sorry for being late!"
He caught all the eyes in the hall. The proud and vigorous man walked calmly into the hall in a tuxedo. He had shone this already bright and luxurious place.
"It's Archibald Hawkins!" Somebody exclaimed.
Archibald had a man holding gifts behind him. He walked towards Douglas and apologized, "I was stuck in the traffic jam. Sorry for being late, I'll make a toast for an apology later. Happy birthday to Mr. Palmer. Wish him a great celebration, and many more..." The man behind him handed the gift to Sebastian.
Nobody would blame that polite man. Douglas laughed and patted Archibald's shoulder. The old man said, "It's fine. Your father and I used to drink together, but now I was too old to drink too much. That's a shame."
"I can drink for him with you if you don't mind, but I'm afraid Mrs. Palmer wouldn't let me," Archibald laughed.
"Yes, you're right, and you young guys should drink less, too. You can have too many glasses more because the occasion is really special today," said Eleanor with a smile. Belongs to NôvelDrama.Org - All rights reserved.
Archibald looked at Sebastian and then his eyes were fixed on Lilian. There was a lingering smile on his face. He walked over to Lilian, and then put his hand around her should closely and naturally. "I didn't know you are invited, too."
As he joined in, the three-people team immediately became four. Now people could easily tell that they were just two couples.
The guests divided them into two couples and thought Sebastian was with Joanna. They were surprised that Lilian was with Archibald now. The woman was obviously trying to get Sebastian's favor, too. What a gold-digger!
Only the people who know the story behind this felt how weird this was. Sebastian's cold eyes focused on Archibald's hand around Lilian's shoulder. "Archibald!"
"Get rid of her," Sebastian yelled coldly.
Archibald flashed pondering lights. He replied indifferently, Mr. Palmer, what is this for!"
It was till then that the on-lookers could tell that there was an odd vibe between the four people. Just by then, they saw Sebastian grabbed Archibald by the collar. Then he pointed at Lilian and yelled fiercely to Archibald, "I'm telling you... Lilian is my..."
"Sebastian!" Eleanor screamed nervously. She rushed over and pulled the two away from each other. Then she scolded, "What are you doing? It's your father's birthday today! Do you really want to mess it up?"
She turned around to Archibald with an apologizing smile, "Mr. Hawkins. Sebastian is drunk today. He didn't mean it." At last, she even pushed Lilian to Archibald and said, "Please, suit yourself."
Lilian looked at Eleanor with her eyes widely opened. She couldn't believe that this woman was actually pushed her daughter-in-law to another man.
Eleanor's move provoked Sebastian even more. He stood in the middle of them and pulled Eleanor behind him. Then he grabbed Lilian's wrist and pulled her over. She staggered and fell into his arms. Lilian was angry. She felt Sebastian was treating her like an object.
Sebastian held Lilian in his arms, like a man who was declaring sovereignty. "Archibald, I'm telling you to be nice to her. I have an announcement to make today, to all of you, that this woman and I..."
"Sebastian... I..." Joanna's face pale and she fell to the ground.
Sebastian was halted. Then he immediately pushed away Lillian and squatted down to hold Joanna in his arms. "Are you OK, Joanna? Are you OK?"
Joanna's eyes lost focus. She forced a smile and her voice sounded really weak. "I... I've taken some pills" The moment she finished speaking, her hands fell off Sebastian’s body.
Sebastian's eyes opened widely when he heard "pills". He groaned and then carried Joanna in his arms, rushing to the gate of the hall.
Joanna's eyes were almost closed. In the flustered crowd, she was lying weakly in Sebastian’s arms. She had a light cold smile on her face. She would never allow Sebastian and Lilian's marriage to go public, even if it meant she had to hurt herself.
Lilian was in shock too. Joanna's pale face really made her rethink if Sebastian really meant that much to him. She decided to follow them and figure it out.
Archibald's eyes were shimmering.
Other guests were so confused. They saw Sebastian confronted Archibald because of Lilian, and then Joanna blacked out on the ground. The celebration hall was chaotic.
Eleanor calmed the guests anxiously. She let Douglas be with the guests, and she went out after Lilian.
At the entrance of the hotel, Sebastian sat in the car with Joanna in her arms. As he was about to close the door, Lilian stopped him. She looked down at Joanna, who was lying in Sebastian’s arms with a pale face. Then she asked, "Is she alright?"
Sebastian was in a hurry. He threw Lilian's hands off roughly.
"Stay away!"