Chapter 571
The party was in full swing, laughter echoing through the room, the clink of glasses setting
the rhythm of joy. No one even noticed when the couple, Thaddeus and Evadne, finally
made their fashionably late entrance, both having slipped into a fresh set of clothes.
Thaddeus, now basking in the glow of love, had all traces of gloom swept from his heart.
He stood beside Evadne, radiant and proud, his confidence unbowed even among the
distinguished Ashbourne clan, whose members were no strangers to accomplishment.
“Wow, Mr. Thaddeus is looking sharp tonight.”
“Dude. Thaddeus is absolutely killing it.”
Nydia and Beverly, standing side by side, were practically drooling over Thaddeus as they
propped up their chins and gazed at him. dreamily.
Though both had significant others, they couldn’t help but appreciate a handsome man
when they saw one–who could resist a second glance at such finery?
Poor Jason and Gordon, sitting beside them, looked like a pair of cannons ready to fire,
their barrels aimed squarely at Thaddeus. But no matter how jealous they got, they could
only simmer in silence. Start a feud with Evadne’s man? They were more interested in a
peaceful end to their days!
The evening continued with the toasting and laughter, the swapping of stories and sips of
drinks, and for a moment, it seemed like it was Thaddeus and Evadne’s own celebration.
Camille, the life of the party with her outgoing personality, had just finished coaxing
Thaddeus into a toast when she wrapped an arm around Evadne. They were hugging and
laughing, belting out songs with a karaoke mic
Meanwhile, Arnold was trying to hide his infatuation, his gaze persistently drawn to
Camille’s radiant beauty as he stuffed his face with meat, his eyes burning with barely
concealed desire.
“This girl Camille, I like her. She’s got a great personality, speaks her mind, seems
carefree but is actually very emotionally intelligent. She knows how to take care of
people,” Cassius commented casually as he elegantly cut his meat with knife and fork.
Arnold chewed more vigorously, his long lashes fluttering, “She’s just a crazy girl, what’s
there to like?”
“Then why can’t you take your eyes off her?” Cassius chuckled, knowing his younger
brother all too well and effectively pulling off his “fig leaf.”
Arnold nearly choked, his face turning beet red as he coughed and reached for water to
ease the embarrassment.
On Cassius‘ plate, the meat he had been cutting had vanished in the blink of an eye.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtTurning to Chasel, he found him contentedly munching on the stolen goods, eyes twinkling
with mischief.
It seemed a little fox had struck again.
“If you’re still hungry, just cut some more,” Chasel cooed, his voice low and sweet in
Cassius‘ ear.
“Do I need to cut your food into little pieces like a toddler? Or maybe feed you directly?”
Cassius‘ voice was tinged with amusement as he continued his task.
“That would be fantastic!” Chasel’s eyes sparkled, nodding eagerly.
“You really think so?” Cassius scoffed, but his hands didn’t stop their work.
“Why not? Remember what you said last time in the car? You promised to peel nuts for
me, and you haven’t delivered yet. A few pieces of meat are too much to ask for now?”
Chasel teased, his foot creeping up Cassius‘ leg under the table.
“Behave,” Cassius commanded with stern eyes but a husky voice.
Chasel tilted his head, his eyes hazy and seductive, “I won’t.”
Thaddeus‘ mood visibly improved as he went around the room, fulfilling his promise to
greet each guest. He then started a one–on–one drinking challenge with Elvis.
He wasn’t one for alcohol, but as Evadne’s man, he didn’t want to show any weakness
before her family.
“Do you know what they call me out there?” Elvis boasted, refilling Thaddeus‘ glass to the
brim. “They say I’m the son of liquor, immune to its effects. I can drink eight days a week.
You really want to challenge me?”
Thad looked down at his overflowing glass, his lips curling into a half–smile, “Elvis, in my
experience, those who brag the most
Chapter 571
usually fall the hardest. But no worries, we’re at home, there will be someone to take care
of you”
“I don’t need anyone’s care! Elvis retorted, clinking his glass against Thaddeus‘ with a
splash.
On the other side of the room, Camille cornered Evadne against the wall, her eyes alight
with mischief, “Oh? Master, why is your voice so husky, and your waist so limber? Spill it,
what were you and Thaddeus up to during your little vanishing act? Hmm?”
Evadne blushed a deep crimson, her voice a fluttering whisper, “We didn’t do much.”
She cursed Thaddeus inwardly for teasing her so mercilessly, knowing exactly how to
touch her, and now here she was, flustered and struggling to play hostess while he looked
unruffled and impeccable.
“Come on, we’re all adults here, what’s there to be shy about?” Camille giggled, leaning in
closer. “But really, you guys were quick. Thaddeus might need some stamina. You should
grill him some oysters later–they’re like fuel stations for men!”
Evadne gently elbowed Camille, defending Thaddeus, “He’s not like that at all! He’s very
capable.”
And then, the two friends leaned in close, sharing secrets and giggles.
“Dude, that’s wild?”
“Shh, keep it down!” Evadne hissed, covering Camille’s mouth as her face turned even
redder.
Camille was her bestie, her confidante. Together, they shared every little secret, even the
kind that would make a preacher blush.
“Tsk, Thaddeus looks all buttoned up, but boy, does he play the field when no one’s
watching.” Camille remarked, one eyebrow arched as she sipped her drink.
“He hasn’t always been like that.”
Evadne spoke with a soft, sultry voice, her palms gently rubbing her flushed cheeks, “He
just needs a little guidance.”
The two stood in silence for a moment before Camille fished a sleek cigarette case from
her purse, delicately pulling out a slim cigarette and placing it between her lips.
“Back on the smokes, huh?” Evadne asked
“It’s just a cigarette. Why do you make it sound like I’ve got some kind of addiction?”
Camille chuckled, the ember of her cigarette glowing against the night sky, wrapping her
in wisps of smoke that seemed to accentuate her thoughtful expression.
“Camille, how have you been holding up? Your family hasn’t been giving you a hard time,
have they?” Evadne knew she was a daughter of the prestigious Evert clan and couldn’t
help but worry, knowing the turmoil that often surrounded such families. “I’m doing just
fine.”
Camille squinted her eyes, flicking ash with her elegant fingers, “I don’t have family, the
world is my home.”
“What are you saying? No family? Then what am I?” Evadne linked arms with her
affectionately
“Taking advantage of me, huh?” Camille teased, nudging Evadne’s chin with her cigarette–
holding hand.
She was naturally taller than Evadne, with a more imposing frame. Their playful
interactions, combined with Camille’s bold mannerisms, exuded an irresistible charm!
Arnold sat amidst the crowd, but his eyes were fixed solely on Camille.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmHe disliked smokers – he’d wrestle cigarettes out of Elvis’s mouth every chance he got.
Yet, something about Camille, the way her slender fingers held the cigarette, how the
smoke softly obscured her cool features, and the lazy allure in her half–closed eyes,
mesmerized him against his will.
There she was, engaging in an act he loathed, yet she was as beautiful as a soul–stirring
sketch.
Arnold’s breath quickened, and he took a gulp of ice water from the table to calm himself.
They hadn’t seen each other for a while, with no contact in between. Yet, he’d been
following her online updates religiously. He’d hoped, after their last meeting, they’d be
closer. But Camille hadn’t so much as spoken a word to him or spared him a glance all
night.
Feeling out of place, he grabbed another cup, not caring if it was soy sauce or vinegar,
and chugged it down!
“Holy cow! Arnold, you’ve got guts!” Aaron exclaimed, slapping Arnold’s back, “A full glass
of hard liquor, and you downed it in one go? You’ve got potential!”
Arnold was taken aback.
Hard liquor?
an
pter
The next second, he felt like his insides were on fire, and he dashed toward the restroom!
Camille glanced covertly at Arnold’s retreating figure, a tremor in her gaze.
“You, with your weak heart, should drink less. And give up smoking too. Even my old man
kicked the habit, so why can’t you?” Evadne slid into the mentor role, plucking the
cigarette from Camille’s fingers and stubbing it out, “I know you need inspiration for your
designs, but wrecking your health for it? That’s the least wise way. Besides, smoking will
stain your teeth, fingers, and even your face.”
“Let it stain. I don’t need a man. As long as my designs are stunning, that’s all that
matters,” Camille said nonchalantly, though a hint of defeat colored her words.
“You might not need a man, but some men would lose their appetite without you,” Evadne
said slyly, eyeing the spot where Arnold had been, now empty, “Hey? Where did Arnold
go?”
“He looked a bit off just now, probably went to throw up from drinking too much,”
Camille’s tone was casual, but her heart tightened.
“Oh? Then you should go check on him.”
Evadne nudged her gently, “Go on, after all, Arnold helped you out that one time. Go see
how he’s doing.”