Chapter 167

Chapter 167

John's expression darkened even more. "Stop talking nonsense," he snapped.

But he was actually a little uneasy. After all, he had wrongly accused Wendy and cut ties with her. He had no idea whether she would forgive them.

"Shirley, go find Wendy later and apologize," John said.

He felt too embarrassed to do it himself, but he could send Shirley.

Shirley clearly wasn't happy about it and was about to refuse when Lisa grabbed her arm.

Lisa gave her a small shake of her head.

"Fine," Shirley said, dropping her gaze.

She hadn't exactly been nice to Wendy either. Why should she be the one to go make up with her?

Wendy stood at the center of everyone's attention, surrounded by a crowd of admiring faces. Quite a few socialites were eager to get acquainted with her.

Wendy greeted them one by one while William stood not far away, watching with a smile on his lips.

"Wendy." Shirley walked over.

She immediately stepped forward and grabbed Wendy's arm like they were old friends. "Long time no see, Wendy! So you're the Green family heiress. No wonder you carry yourself so well."

Shirley could barely stand her own words.

It was already infuriating enough that Wendy had suddenly become a Green family child. Now she had to suck up to her on top of that.

That was the part Shirley couldn't stomach the most.

"Sorry, but I'm pretty sure I already cut ties with the Moore family," Wendy said coolly. "I'm not your sister."

It wasn't that she was being heartless. She just couldn't forget what Shirley had done—the false accusations were still fresh in her mind.

Shirley had tried to ruin her life and send her to prison.

If she had succeeded, Wendy wouldn't be standing here today, reunited with her real family.

Shirley's expression stiffened. She forced a tight smile. "You lived with us for so long, and Mom and Dad took care of you all those years. How can you be so cold?"

Wendy thought about it for a moment. Shirley wasn't entirely wrong. But she looked up at her and said flatly, "What does that have to do with you? You didn't raise me."

Shirley was left speechless by the retort. She spat out a single accusation of ingratitude before storming off.

Wendy shrugged, unfazed. Shirley's opinion meant nothing to her. John had raised her well, and she'd never gone without a thing growing up.

She'd throw a few business deals his way someday. That would be enough.

Evelyn stood nearby watching Wendy get fawned over, and it made her sick.

Why did Wendy get to suddenly become an heiress—and a beloved one at that?

She didn't deserve a family like that.

A vicious look flashed in Evelyn's eyes.

That night, Wendy realized how draining being wealthy truly was. It wasn't bodily fatigue, but mental strain—constant schmoozing, hollow small talk, and deciphering the unspoken meaning in everyone's words.

By the end, Wendy was too tired to even guess anymore and just stopped talking altogether.

Luckily William had stayed by her side the whole time and helped her through a lot of it.

Evelyn had finally had enough. Wendy had even stolen William from her. She walked straight up to him, her expression pitiful. "William, why have you been ignoring me these past few days?"

Wendy stood to the side and watched William. He really couldn't shake Evelyn loose.

She was curious to see how he'd handle this one.

William's face went serious. "Evelyn, I've made myself very clear. There was never anything between us. The engagement story was something you fed to the press yourself. Don't think I don't know that—I just chose not to make an issue of it. If you keep this up, I don't mind spelling it out for everyone right here."

William's words were brutal. He showed Evelyn no respect whatsoever.

He spoke loudly enough that several people nearby heard every word.

"How can you treat me like this, William?" Evelyn's voice cracked.

She had assumed that because William hadn't said anything, he had quietly accepted their relationship. How had it come to this?

Evelyn's eyes burned with anger. She shot a glare at Wendy. "Did you seduce him?"

Wendy was genuinely confused. This had nothing to do with her.

William immediately stepped in front of Wendy and said coldly, "Leave her out of this. Say one more word and I'll have security escort you out."

Evelyn knew William meant it. Not wanting to make a bigger scene in public, she covered her face and fled in a fury.

Wendy gave William a sideways look. "Aren't you going after her?" she teased.

William flicked her on the forehead. "What are you talking about? Why would I go after her?" Then he turned to look at her with a warm, suggestive smile. "You're the one I want to chase."

Wendy's face went instantly red. She shoved him away. "What are you saying?"

Honestly, this guy had no sense of occasion.

Not far away, Hannah watched the two of them together, her heart full. Not only had she found her daughter again—it looked like she'd found a son-in-law too.

She had nothing left to wish for.

In a couple of years, maybe she'd even have a grandchild.

The banquet stretched past ten o'clock and showed no sign of ending. Wendy was starting to fade.

"You look tired. Let Mr. Ford take you home," Hannah said, patting Wendy's hand.

"What about you?"

"We still have a few things to discuss with your uncles. You two go rest. Don't worry about us." Hannah could tell Wendy was concerned and gave her a reassuring smile.

Wendy nodded. "Alright. I'll head out then."

On the way home, Jack drove in front while Wendy dozed off in the back seat, her head slowly drooping. William quietly shifted closer and offered her his shoulder.

Wendy seemed to find her anchor. She nestled against him and drifted off comfortably.

The corners of William's mouth curved up, his eyes full of warmth and tenderness.

He could finally pursue Wendy out in the open.

Jack caught a glimpse of William looking so content and quietly shook his head. The man was sneaky as ever.

The car rode smoothly, and Wendy slept all the way home.

But William didn't wake her. He just waited quietly for her to come around on her own.

This still, peaceful moment was something he had imagined for a long time.

Wendy's soft, even breath fell warm and faintly sweet against his shoulder.

William sat there watching her, taking in every detail, committing it all to memory.

As if sensing his intense gaze, Wendy stirred and opened her eyes.

William quickly looked away and cleared his throat.

"Sorry about that—I can't believe I fell asleep," Wendy said, a little flustered when she realized she'd been leaning on him.

And he hadn't pushed her away.

"It was my pleasure," William said, not even slightly embarrassed by his own smoothness.

Wendy glanced up at him with a small laugh. "Mr. Ford's gotten very poetic lately. Hard to know what to make of it."

She didn't like this kind of vague, in-between feeling.

Something shifted in William's eyes. He thought he understood what she meant.

"Wait for me at home tomorrow morning," he said directly.

Wendy blinked. "What for?"

"I have a surprise for you." He wasn't going to say more than that.

He urged her to get out of the car and go get some sleep.

Wendy went inside, still wondering what he had in mind.