Chapter 57 Loved
Halfway through the banquet, a server approached Francis and murmured that Ryan wished to see him in the study.
Ryan was waiting by the desk, a small velvet box in his hand. His expression carried a weight that didn't belong at a party. "Francis, I'm sure your father told you I came back for a reason. I'm looking for my daughter." He opened the box and revealed a bracelet—colorful gemstones set in delicate gold. "This belonged to her mother. It means a great deal to me. I didn't expect to find it sold. I can only assume she's run into trouble."
Francis leaned in, studying the piece. The stones caught the light in a way that stirred a faint memory, though he couldn't place it. Maybe it was just the kind of jewelry that blurred together in his mind. He took out his phone, snapped a photo, and nodded. "I understand, Mr. Mitchell. I'll use this as a starting point and see what I can find."
Ryan's hand settled briefly on his shoulder. "Thank you. I'm a public figure—if the media catches wind of this, they'll hound her. Keep it quiet."
While Francis was away, guests eager to make connections swarmed Jennifer. She smiled until her cheeks ached, nodding through conversations she didn't care about. Eventually, she excused herself with a polite laugh and slipped away.
She wandered into the side hall, picked up a glass of wine from a passing tray, and stepped onto the balcony. The city spread out below in a glittering sprawl, the air cool against her skin. She let out a slow breath, a smile tugging at her lips. Tonight she'd met her idol, Ryan. Francis had been attentive. She felt her life was settled, almost perfect.
The smile was still on her face when Eugene appeared.
"Well, look at you," he said, his voice sharp with resentment. "Dressed to impress, sipping wine at some fancy party, basking in the attention. I didn't realize you were so vain."
Jennifer turned, her brow knitting. "What kind of woman I am is none of your concern." She hadn't sought him out, yet here he was, souring her mood.
He stepped closer. She instinctively backed up until the railing pressed against her spine. His sneer deepened. "You should've seen yourself earlier, leaning on Francis, smiling like you'd sell your soul for him. Is it the money? Does he pay better, so you're happy to serve him?"
Her fingers tightened around the stem of her glass. Wine splashed across his face in a dark arc. "Eugene, you have no right to insult me. You're the one who betrayed us first. Tell me—do you dare claim what you have with Aria is love? No, you don't even know what love is. You just chase whoever gives you the most."
His eyes burned red. "That's not true. I love you. Even if you had nothing to give, I'd still want you. I'd give up everything if you'd leave him and come back to me. I don't care that you've slept with him." His voice cracked with something raw, desperate. She was so radiantly adorned that, in a sudden rush of impulse, he felt an urge to forsake everything for her.
He caught her wrist, grip tight enough to make her wince. She twisted, the glass slipping from her hand and shattering against the tiles. His surprise loosened his hold, and she yanked free, red marks already blooming across her skin. The slap she delivered landed hard, the sting echoing up her arm.
Her voice trembled but cut sharp. "You're engaged, Eugene. Even if you weren't, I wouldn't touch a man like you. The fact that I ever loved you only proves I had terrible taste."
His jaw clenched. "No, you wouldn't be this angry if you didn't still love me. You only hate me because I cheated. I can change. I'll make sure you're the only woman in my life." He moved in again, as if the past could be rewritten with a kiss.
Jennifer panicked and tried to flee, but Eugene cornered her on the balcony. Just as she was about to scream for help, Francis rushed over and punched Eugene in the face. He'd been watching from outside for a while—he was actually curious about Jennifer's attitude too. He remembered when they first met, she'd cried over this man, Eugene, several times. A woman who cried for a man must truly love him.
Eugene staggered back, blood at the corner of his mouth, his defiance faltering. Francis stepped in front of Jennifer, shielding her. "Do you make a habit of harassing other men's girlfriends when you're drunk?"
Eugene stayed silent, but the scene had already drawn a crowd.
Aria emerged from the restroom, eyes widening at the sight. "What happened? Who hit you?"
"I did," Francis said without hesitation. "So what?"
Aria's brows lifted. "Francis, Eugene is my fiancé. Even if there's a problem, we can talk it out. Why resort to violence? And tonight of all nights—Mr. Mitchell's banquet—you don't care about his reputation?"
Francis's smile was cold. "Why don't you ask your fiancé what he did?"
Eugene's face drained of color. The night air had stripped away the haze in his head. He took Aria's hand. "It's a misunderstanding. I'm fine."
Aria wasn't convinced. "No. Francis has targeted you before, and now he hits you here? He's showing me no respect. I want the truth. What happened?"
Eugene's expression flickered, then steadied into a lie. "Last time you had the car accident, Ms. Brown was nearby and I didn't help her. I was focused on you, but I've always felt guilty. I went to apologize, but she was still upset and dropped her glass. Mr. Carter must have misunderstood and hit me."
Aria gasped, then turned to Jennifer with a smile that managed to be both sweet and pointed. "Ms. Brown, Eugene was wrong, and I'll scold him for it. But he was just worried about me, so I share the blame. Let me drink as an apology." She waved over a server, took a fresh glass of wine, and downed it in one smooth motion.
The guests applauded, praising her generosity and the couple's devotion.
Jennifer pressed her lips together, choosing silence. She wasn't about to air her history with Eugene here.
Francis's arm slid around her waist, his voice edged with warning. "Since it's a misunderstanding, I won't pursue it. But I hope Eugene avoids situations that are so easy to misinterpret."
Ryan's banquet would not be ruined tonight.