Chapter 64
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The woman’s long hair, softly curled, cascaded down her back effortlessly, accentuating her porcelain skin. She leaned slightly toward Jimmy and spoke with a faint smile, her red lips making her look even more alluring.
It was Elena.
“Howard?” Alyssa had been basking in the glow of her entrance when she noticed his attention drift.
She wondered what caught his eye. She followed his gaze, yet found nothing there.
Howard looked back and said softly, “Let’s go in.”
“Alright.” Alyssa smiled sweetly and walked into the villa with him.
The reporters tried to press forward, but the gates barred their way. They could only watch as the guests walked inside. Still, they had more than enough. Howard arriving arm–in–arm with Alyssa was already the biggest scoop of the night.
“It seems it’s the end for Megan.”
“Maybe not. Didn’t they say Alyssa only has six months left to live?”
“True. Then, it depends on whether Megan can bear it until then.”
They discussed among themselves as they scrambled to break the story first.
The Ferrell villa had three floors–a grand hall below, private seating above, and a rooftop garden on the top floor.
Inside, Howard’s arrival set the room alight. Everyone wanted a word–a chance to be noticed.
Larson Group was the top of Acreport’s Big Three, and Howard had sole control over the company. Besides, he rarely showed up at such gatherings.
But after signing in with Alyssa, Howard headed straight upstairs to the second floor. The seating there was limited, to many’s disappointment.
Megan and Jimmy were already there. Howard and Alyssa noticed them the moment they entered.
Alyssa frowned when she saw the masked woman. She wasn’t aware Elena was present.
But she quickly relaxed..
Elena clearly came as Jimmy’s plus one, not someone formally invited.
That suited Alyssa just fine. She was there with Howard, and that made all the difference.
Time passed, and the host announced the start of the evening. Items were displayed one after another.
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*The first item is an antique from the 17th century. Half of the proceeds will go to charity. The opening bid
is…”
Soon, the room came alive with guests raising paddles as one item after another went on the block.
Howard sat beside Alyssa, watching her scan the catalog.
“Just bid for anything you like,” Howard offered.
He gestured at his paddle, implying that he would pay.
Alyssa looked up at him with a smile. “It’s fine. I have some savings of my own. I don’t need anything too extravagant either. I just want to do my part.”
Howard remained silent. Alyssa’s words reminded him of the day at the courthouse. Megan had handed him the property settlement agreement. It clearly stated that any money earned during the divorce finalization belonged to them.
Once again, Howard thought of Megan. The image of her and Shaun pressed together behind the frosted glass flashed through his mind.
He wondered if she had seen him show up at the charity gala with Alyssa tonight.
He lowered his gaze, and his hands tightened into a fist as an unknown emotion stirred inside of him.
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