Chapter 51 051

Chapter 51 051
  Stella turned back to the private room and prepared to step inside. From behind, she heard a soft voice. "Hi, Stella?" 
  Her hand hesitated on the doorknob. She turned around a few seconds later. Horace was surprised to learn that it was really her. 
  "Stella, why are you here?" he asked as he approached her. “I believed I had misidentified you for another girl." 
  Stella welcomed him with the composure of an old friend, saying, "I'm here with my pals for a get-together. What about you?”
  Annie showed up like a crazy person just now. Stella ought to have been aware that Horace was also present. 
  “Along with me are my friends. Is this gathering about to end? If so, how about we?" The private box door behind Horace was opened before he could say anything further. 
  Liam was dazed when he saw Horace. He regained consciousness after a little interval and inquired, "Is this Horace?"
   Horace turned away from Stella and gave Liam a courteous nod in return. Liam had already met Horace and had been in love with Sherry since their time in college. Still, they were not close.  
  "Christ! It has been a very long time." Liam put his shoulder to Horace's. "How ironic! Enter now. Come on, let's speak." 
  Just as Stella was about to say no, Horace grinned at her and entered their private box with Liam. Liam introduced Horace to other buddies in the box. "Hey everyone! This is my college friend. Back then, he was the campus hunk of our grade." 
  When they heard that, others came around them and started making toasts. Abruptly, one of them turned to face Horace and hesitantly said, "Pardon me. Do you belong to the Jason family, Mr. Jason?" 
  Horace gave a nod of approval. "Nice to meet you." His statements caused confusion among many around him, especially Liam, who began to yell. He just knew that Horace came from a wealthy background, therefore it surprised him to learn that Horace was actually a Jason family member.
   The man who had posed the inquiry went on, "Mr. Jason, you have spent the last few years living overseas. I first saw you at a long-ago event from a distance. I thought I was mistaking another man for you just now. I had no idea that you were Liam's friend. It's a real joy to meet you.”
  The others, envious or jealous, turned to face Liam once he finished speaking. Although Liam worked in an office, he was acquainted with the Jason family's son. They thought Liam would soon rise to prominence and fortune. 
  But Liam was nervous, thinking Horace would tell them they weren't really that close. "Liam and I have known each other for many years," Horace grinned.
   Sherry crossed over and went to Stella. "Stella, why is he here?" she inquired, looking at Horace who was surrounded by a throng of people like the moon encircled by a million of stars. 
  Stella furrowed her brows together. "We met right at the door. Liam summoned him inside." 
  Sherry gave a tongue-click. “Thankfully, Horace has a calm demeanor. If it were..." 
  Sherry  didn't get the chance to finish her sentence, but simultaneously a name sprung to her. They shuddered. It was really hard to picture the scene. 
  "Don't you think there's something wrong with Liam's coworker?" whispered Sherry. “First, she fussed at the door. She came to talk to me strangely just now. What a woman of hypocrisy!" 
  Stella came to her senses again. After giving her reason for coming some thought, she remarked, "By the way, Sherry, I sensed something wrong between Liam and that woman..." 
  "Don't worry. I've known Liam for ages. He doesn't have the courage to cheat on me, no matter how daring he is. Besides, all that woman had was a large breast. If she were more intelligent, I would also suspect that." 
  For a moment, Stella was unable to speak. Given how long Sherry and Liam had been together, it was understandable that she wouldn't accept it. 
  Liam turned around at that very moment and noticed Sherry chatting with Stella. He changed significantly. He briefly conversed with others before claiming Horace. 
  He drew Sherry into his arms nervously and grinned, saying, "We haven't seen each other in a long time. Should we go somewhere and have a conversation? There are just four of us.”
  "You've invited so many friends over," Sherry inquired. “Would you like to abandon them?" 
  "They've been having fun for a long, and I can meet them whenever I want. They are welcome to remain here if they so choose. I can return at a later time.”
  "I don't think it's a good idea." 
  Carelessly, Liam said, "Why not? Each of us has a friend. They won't object. What about you, Horace?" 
  Horace glanced at Stella nonchalantly. "I'm fine with it."
   "Then..." Stella cut Liam off. "It is growing late. I must return home. Kindly dress accordingly."
   Sherry concurred, "Allow me to take you home. I'd like to breathe some clean air." 
  Horace would not stay here any longer after Stella left. He bid the two women goodnight by nodding to Liam and then walked away. Liam quickly clenched his fists and started to chase after their disappearing silhouettes. 
  Horace tightened his lips and said, "Wait, Stella," 
  “Are you upset with me? 
  Stella was shocked. She realized what he meant after a moment. "Not at all. I simply don't feel well." 
  She also found Liam's hypocritical expression to be unbearable. Horace peered at her less visible lower abdomen. "Hasn't he known about it?" 
  Stella shook her head a little and grinned. Liam soon caught up with them. He took Sherry by the collar. "Sherry, why don't you just stay here?"
   Sherry unable to grasp him. "Why can't I go..." 
  "It has been a long time since Stella and Horace had seen each other. They must have much in common. 
  “Avoid being the third wheel and follow them. Their date is being interrupted by you."
   "What nonsense are you talking about?" 
  Liam exclaimed, "It's not nonsensical. Are they not infatuated with one another all the time?”
  Sherry scowled and spoke louder. "Liam Keith!" 
  For a brief moment, Horace was enveloped in quiet. "Yeah, I've always had a crush on her," he said, glancing at Sherry. 
  Stella didn't think he would acknowledge it. She lifted her head a little and saw that he was firmly staring in another direction. She glanced over, following his gaze subconsciously. She felt the hair stand on end in an instant. How unfortunate for her today! How did she happen to meet so many people? They appeared to be congregating in this place. 
  Stella felt strongly that something was going to happen. Clarence was standing next to them, staring at them icily. Sherry saw that Horace and Stella both had strange looks. She took a deep breath as she followed their gazes. How dramatic this scene was right now! 
  Clarence stared at them for a few seconds before apathetically averting his eyes. He stormed out, acting as though he didn't know them at all. Stella at last sighed with satisfaction as she saw that he looked forward, passing them by. But before she could unwind all the way, Clarence stopped walking. 
  He carefully turned around, glanced at Sherry and Liam, then returned his attention to Stella. "Have you decided how to tell her about it yet? It has been a very long time.”
  Stella felt her heart skip a beat. Clarence went on in a chilly manner before she urged him to stop talking. "Have you taped the scene? You ought to confront her head-on."