Chapter 79 ELITE PARTY
(Eli's POV)
When we get home, the first thing I notice is the people. A lot of people. They are standing in the living room.
I freeze at the door.
“Oh no.”
Julian glances down at me. “What?”
“Why are there so many people in our house?”
“They're here for work.” Julian replied. And as we walked in, I recognize them.
“The wedding people,” I whisper.
And they are.
The exact same crew that dressed me for my wedding.
There are two clothing racks standing near the sofa.
Full of suits.
Different colors.
Different styles.
Some assistants are already setting up brushes, makeup kits, and hair tools on the table.
One of them spots us.
“Mr. Thorne!” she says brightly.
Julian doesn’t react much.
He just nods.
Before anyone can say anything else, Julian lifts me again.
“Julian—”
“We’re saving time,” he says calmly as he carries me toward the stairs.
“I can walk.”
“Not on the stairs.”
He carries me upstairs like he has done for the last two weeks.
At this point it's become normal.
When we reach the bedroom, he walks straight toward the bathroom.
“Come,” he says.
I blink. “Where?”
“Bathroom.”
“For what?”
“We’ll bathe together,” he says simply. “It’ll save time.”
I freeze.
Bath together?
My brain stops working for a second.
Julian looks at me.
“Why are you hesitating?” he asks.
I stare at him.
“You’re asking like this is normal.”
He raises an eyebrow.
“I’ve seen every inch of you.”
My face immediately heats up.
That is unfortunately true.
I swallow and walk into the bathroom with him.
The bathroom is huge. Huge enough to fit a small apartment.
But suddenly it feels very small.
Julian starts removing his clothes like this is the most normal thing in the world.
Meanwhile I’m standing there trying very hard not to stare.
Failing terribly.
I quickly remove my own clothes.
Then I immediately look away.
Julian steps into the large bathtub and turns on the water.
“Come here,” he says.
I step inside carefully.
The warm water feels nice.
Julian sits down beside me.
For a moment we’re both quiet.
Then he reaches for the soap.
“Turn around.”
I blink.
“What?”
“Turn around,” he repeats.
I slowly turn.
He starts washing my shoulders.
His hands move slowly and carefully over my back.
It feels… relaxing.
Too relaxing.
“Lift your arm,” he says.
I obey.
He washes my arm like I’m some delicate object.
Then he rinses it.
Then the other arm.
“You’re treating me like a baby,” I mutter.
“You hit your head,” he replies calmly.
“That was weeks ago.”
He ignores me and continues washing my back.
Then he tilts my chin slightly.
“Close your eyes.”
I do.
Warm water runs over my hair as he washes it gently.
After that, he washes himself just as calmly.
Like none of this is awkward.
Meanwhile I am trying very hard not to think about the fact that we are both naked in the same bathtub.
When we finally finish, we dry off and put on underwear.
Then we wrap bathrobes around ourselves.
When we go back downstairs—
Julian carries me past the stairs again.
Of course.
The crew immediately starts moving.
“Oh good,” one of them says. “You’re ready.”
They sit us down in front of mirrors.
Two people start working on our hair.
Another person rolls the clothing racks closer.
Julian barely pays attention.
But when it’s time to choose clothes—
He personally picks mine.
He studies the rack for a moment before pulling out a black suit.
“This one,” he says.
The stylists quickly help me get dressed.
The suit fits perfectly.
Julian is dressed in a dark navy suit that makes him look even more intimidating than usual.
When we’re done, one of the stylists claps softly.
“Perfect.”
Julian nods once.
Then we leave.
The driver is already waiting outside.
The ride to the party takes a while.
When our car finally rolls to a stop, I look out the window.
And immediately feel like I don’t belong here.
The mansion is huge.
Lights everywhere.
Luxury cars parked in long rows.
People in expensive clothes walking toward the entrance.
Even though I’m dressed well…
I still feel like I don’t fit.
The driver opens the door.
Julian steps out first.
Then he holds his hand out for me.
I take it and step down.
The guards at the entrance bow as we walk in.
Inside the hall is even more overwhelming.
Crystal chandeliers.
Marble floors.
People laughing and talking everywhere.
Before we even get far—
Lovia appears.
She looks… stunning.
Her dress looks like something out of a royal ball.
Her hair is styled perfectly.
Even I have to admit she looks beautiful.
“My father is waiting,” she says with a bright smile.
She leads us across the hall.
Mr. Devon is standing with several men.
The moment he sees Julian, he laughs.
“Here comes the ruthless tiger.”
He extends his hand.
Julian shakes it.
“Mr. Devon,” Julian says. “Congratulations. This is how it’s done?”
Mr. Devon chuckles proudly.
“Indeed. This is how it’s done.”
He begins introducing Julian to the men around him.
Names.
Companies.
Titles.
It quickly turns into a business conversation.
Each man includes his position when introducing himself.
“CEO of—”
“Chairman of—”
“Founder of—”
I stand quietly beside Julian.
Trying to look invisible.
The men start joking.
About money.
About business deals.
About luxury vacations.
They laugh about things I would consider extremely expensive. But to them it’s apparently “cheap.”
I don’t understand half of their jokes.
Soon Mrs. Thorne appears.
And another elegant woman beside her.
“Ma,” Lovia says.
So that must be Mrs. Devon.
Mrs. Devon whispers something to her husband.
Mr. Devon nods.
Then he clears his throat.
“Gentlemen,” he says. “The hour of the night is here.”
Everyone begins moving toward tables.
Each table has four chairs.
Julian and I sit at one near the front.
Mr. Devon steps onto a raised platform.
He begins his speech.
He talks about life.
About his journey in business.
About his achievements.
He proudly lists all the companies he built and bought.
All the deals he made.
Then he smiles and gestures toward Lovia.
“I dedicate my life achievements and my years in the business world to my only daughter, Lovia Devon.”
Everyone claps.
Lovia smiles beautifully.
Servers begin walking around serving drinks.
Mr. Devon raises his glass.
“To retirement!”
Everyone raises their glass.
“To a good life!” Mr. Devon added.
Then Lovia and Mrs. Devon join him on the platform.
They unveil a huge portrait painting of Mr. Devon.
More applause fills the hall.
After the ceremony, guests begin approaching the family.
Handshakes.
Congratulations.
Lovia walks over to Julian.
Mrs. Thorne and Mrs. Devon soon join us.
Standing there between them, I have never felt smaller.
Mrs. Thorne raises her glass.
“To future celebrations,” she says.
They all smile politely.
Soon Mrs. Thorne and Mrs. Devon are pulled into another conversation.
I finally breathe a little easier.
But then—
Someone new appears.
Desmond.
My stomach tightens instantly.
He looks at Julian.“Looking good as always.”
Then he turns to me. “It’s been a while, no?”
I force a polite smile. “Well… good evening.”
A server approaches us with a tray of drinks.
Lovia picks one and hands it to Julian.
Then she takes one for herself.
Desmond picks up a glass and hands it to me.
Then he takes another.
Lovia raises her glass.
“Ease up the atmosphere around here, gentlemen,” she says lightly. “You do not want to ruin a beautiful night.”
She clicks her glass against Julian’s.
Then Desmond’s.
Then she drinks.
The men follow.
Then she turns to Julian. “Care for a dance?”
Julian looks at me. Then he asks,
“Care for a dance?”