Chapter 63
Octavius didn't speak, his gaze fixed on me, his expression unreadable.
Just being stared at by him like that made my heart pound inexplicably.
"I was just coming to find you when I heard you two talking behind me. I was going to go into the break room, but the door was locked, so I had no choice but to hide under the desk."
After I confessed honestly, Octavius still showed no reaction, just looked at me thoughtfully."So what do you think?"
Being asked like that, I was a bit confused and looked up. "Think about what?"
"You heard what Quinlan said." Octavius looked at me calmly. "Do you think I should go to your birthday party?"
I said without hesitation, "You shouldn't come. I think it will cause you trouble."
Before hearing what Quinlan said, I had indeed come to invite Octavius to the birthday party. But now that I thought about it, Quinlan's words made sense.
I couldn't be so selfish as to want Octavius to attend without considering his feelings and situation.
I couldn't bear it if those who gossip behind people's backs really started talking about Octavius.
Thinking of this, I looked at Octavius with even more determination. "Don't come to my birthday party. I don't want you to appear and have everyone guess what's going on, saying nasty things about you."
Octavius pressed his lips together, remaining silent.
Seeing that he didn't refute my words, I knew he must think it made sense, so I smiled."Then I'll go back first. I actually came here just to tell you that as long as you're not gossiped about, it doesn't matter if you come to my birthday party or not. Even if I really want you to come, you shouldn't."
"Because compared to my birthday, you being the respected Octavius is what's most important."
After mustering the courage to say all this, I turned to leave.
But before I had taken two steps, Octavius's voice came from behind me again."Seraphine, what do you mean by this? Are you concerned about me?"
I paused, not turning to look at Octavius."Yes, so don't show up. Focus on your own things."
"Then you should invite me even more. As long as we interact normally, they won't mock me for still chasing after you after being humiliated."
After saying that, Octavius had already come to stand in front of me, looking down at me.
I looked up in surprise, looking at Octavius with confusion.
Why were his words getting harder and harder to understand?
What did he mean by this?
Did he want me to tell everyone that I also had feelings for him, that we were seeing each other, so there was no question of him chasing after me?
While I was silent, a hint of disappointment appeared on Octavius's face, and he turned his back to me.
"Forget it. You should go out first. I have a meeting to attend."
I came back to my senses and wanted to say more, but Flynn had already come in.
"Ms. Whitaker, let me see you out."
In front of an outsider, I couldn't say much and could only leave, looking back every few steps.
Downstairs, I got into the car and, after a moment of thought, made a bold decision.
Three days passed in a flash.
My birthday party had arrived.
Early in the morning, all the servants of the Whitaker family were busy decorating the backyard.
Brielle watched from the second-floor balcony, green with envy. "You really know how to put on a show. All this effort to make Father value you more and throw you a party. You must be exhausted."
"Everyone gets one. You'll have a birthday party like this too when it's your turn. You don't have to make Father sound like he's biased towards me. Do you have any respect for him?"I retorted lightly.
Just as Brielle was about to speak, my phone rang.
I took out my phone and subconsciously answered, hearing a familiar voice on the other end.
"Seraphine?"
It was Mitchell.
I was instantly disgusted and frowned. "Who told you to call! What do you want?"
Brielle turned her head, a half-smile on her face. "Seraphine, why are you being so harsh to Mitchell?"
I couldn't be bothered with her and walked downstairs with my phone.
Mitchell pleaded on the phone, "Seraphine, don't hang up. I just wanted to ask if I could come to your birthday party."
I refused without a second thought. "If you dare to show up at the Whitaker family today, I'll have the security guards throw you out. If you don't believe me, just wait and see!"
Was Mitchell crazy?
I had already rejected him as thoroughly as possible, but he was still persistent.
And Brielle had even set me up to lose my innocence. I thought she would stop using Mitchell to get close to me.
What was going on?
Mitchell laughed. "Seraphine, I'm just here to give you a gift. I promise I'll leave right after. Just let me come, okay?"
"Stop being shameless. I'm not going to accept your gift. By the way,"I raised an eyebrow and decided to make it clear to Mitchell myself. "You don't know, do you? I've already slept with another man."
Mitchell's breath hitched, and he blurted out, "Who!"
I snorted.
"Ask Brielle, and you'll know."
With that, I hung up and went to work.
At the company, Heath came to my office. "The invitations have been sent out. By the way, is Octavius coming today? I see you two have been getting along well recently."
I shook my head. "I embarrassed him last time. I don't want him to come. People will inevitably gossip."
Heath agreed. "That's true. Then we won't send him an invitation."
I smiled. "Okay."
No matter what, I still felt that inviting Octavius this time was not a good idea.
After seeing Heath off, I took out my phone.
For the past three days, I hadn't contacted Octavius, and he hadn't contacted me either.
I'll go find him and explain after the birthday party is over.
I put away my phone and focused on work.
At three in the afternoon, the makeup artist came to pick me up for my hair and makeup.
I changed into a white, waist-cinching long dress with a bow, had my hair curled, and wore exquisite makeup, with pearls and white ribbons adorning my hair.
The makeup artist was full of praise.
Looking at my radiant self in the mirror, I went home to prepare to welcome the guests.
Soon, the lights came on, and the guests arrived, all presenting me with birthday gifts and blessings.
I was holding a glass of champagne and mingling with everyone when there was a sudden commotion at the entrance.
It seemed a car had stopped at the gate.
"Who's here?"
"Whose Rolls-Royce is that?"
Rolls-Royce?
Was Octavius here? No way!
My heart skipped a beat, and I subconsciously walked to the door, only to see Mitchell holding a bouquet of flowers and a gift box, walking quickly towards me.
"Seraphine, happy birthday. I'm here to give you a gift, nothing else."
As Mitchell spoke, he opened the gift box he had brought with one hand.
Inside was a diamond ring, the diamond the size of a pigeon's egg.
The surrounding people gasped in amazement.
"That's a proposal ring!"
"My god, Mitchell is still hung up on Seraphine. He actually bought her such an expensive diamond ring!"
Amidst the gasps, I looked at him with a cold face, not looking at the gift box Mitchell was offering.
"What exactly are you trying to do? We've already broken off our engagement. Don't you think it's ridiculous to give me this now!"