The CEO’s Hidden Bride: Leaving After 2555 Days - Chapter 21: Chapter 21
You are reading The CEO’s Hidden Bride: Leaving After 2555 Days, Chapter 21: Chapter 21. Read more chapters of The CEO’s Hidden Bride: Leaving After 2555 Days.
After settling into her hotel room, Evelyn noticed the rain had finally ceased. She grabbed her purse and rushed out to meet Natalie at the upscale bistro they'd agreed on.
The moment they spotted each other, they collided in a tight embrace before sliding into their seats, eager to catch up. When Natalie heard Evelyn had walked away with half of Lucas’s fortune in the divorce, her jaw nearly hit the table.
Ignoring the curious glances from nearby diners, Natalie threw her arms around Evelyn and squealed, "My best friend is officially filthy rich! Does this mean I get to freeload off you for life now?"
Mortified, Evelyn clapped a hand over Natalie’s mouth, shooting an apologetic smile at the startled patrons before dragging her into a private dining room. Once alone, Natalie’s eyes sparkled with mischief as she leaned in. "Tell me the money’s actually in your account. Like, for real?"
"It is," Evelyn admitted, twisting her napkin nervously. "But it doesn’t feel real. Like it could vanish any second."
Natalie scoffed, grabbing Evelyn’s hands. "Stop that. This isn’t some lottery win—it’s what you deserve! Lucas chose to split his fortune, so own it. It’s not like you forced him down the aisle at gunpoint."
The logic made Evelyn pause.
Seeing her relax, Natalie grinned and snatched up the menu, scanning it before thrusting it at the waiter. "We’ll take your most expensive dishes—wagyu steak, truffle pasta, champagne, the works!" She leaned back, smug. "How’d I do? Convincing as a high-roller?"
Evelyn laughed, giving her two thumbs up. "Not bad, Ms. Vaughn. Let’s see if you’re still smiling when the bill comes."
"Wait, you’re not paying? Guess we’re splitting it, then."
By the end of their indulgent meal, Natalie looked utterly satisfied. Just as Evelyn signaled for the check, a sharp voice cut through the air. "Well, look who’s back."
Both women glanced up. A group descended the staircase—mostly faces from Aeloria College, with Isabella Prescott at the center. As they neared, Natalie ducked her head toward Evelyn, whispering, "After you left, Isabella’s whole ‘dating multiple guys’ scandal exploded. It went viral. Rumor is Lucas’s friends leaked it. She’s been a social pariah ever since."
Isabella caught snippets of the conversation, her face darkening as she glared at Evelyn. "Thought you fled the country. What are you doing here?"
"Not your concern," Evelyn said evenly.
Isabella’s lips curled. "Still bitter? News flash—Lucas never wanted you. He sure as hell doesn’t now."
Evelyn had no idea why Isabella was still fixated on her when the divorce was final. Not in the mood for drama, she quickly paid and stood, tugging Natalie toward the exit.
But Isabella stepped into their path, eyes blazing. "You stole my wedding and walked off with half his money. You’re just a gold-digger with a superiority complex."
She wrinkled her nose theatrically. "Money can’t mask that peasant stench. Stay away from me with that trashy aura of yours."
The moment they spotted each other, they collided in a tight embrace before sliding into their seats, eager to catch up. When Natalie heard Evelyn had walked away with half of Lucas’s fortune in the divorce, her jaw nearly hit the table.
Ignoring the curious glances from nearby diners, Natalie threw her arms around Evelyn and squealed, "My best friend is officially filthy rich! Does this mean I get to freeload off you for life now?"
Mortified, Evelyn clapped a hand over Natalie’s mouth, shooting an apologetic smile at the startled patrons before dragging her into a private dining room. Once alone, Natalie’s eyes sparkled with mischief as she leaned in. "Tell me the money’s actually in your account. Like, for real?"
"It is," Evelyn admitted, twisting her napkin nervously. "But it doesn’t feel real. Like it could vanish any second."
Natalie scoffed, grabbing Evelyn’s hands. "Stop that. This isn’t some lottery win—it’s what you deserve! Lucas chose to split his fortune, so own it. It’s not like you forced him down the aisle at gunpoint."
The logic made Evelyn pause.
Seeing her relax, Natalie grinned and snatched up the menu, scanning it before thrusting it at the waiter. "We’ll take your most expensive dishes—wagyu steak, truffle pasta, champagne, the works!" She leaned back, smug. "How’d I do? Convincing as a high-roller?"
Evelyn laughed, giving her two thumbs up. "Not bad, Ms. Vaughn. Let’s see if you’re still smiling when the bill comes."
"Wait, you’re not paying? Guess we’re splitting it, then."
By the end of their indulgent meal, Natalie looked utterly satisfied. Just as Evelyn signaled for the check, a sharp voice cut through the air. "Well, look who’s back."
Both women glanced up. A group descended the staircase—mostly faces from Aeloria College, with Isabella Prescott at the center. As they neared, Natalie ducked her head toward Evelyn, whispering, "After you left, Isabella’s whole ‘dating multiple guys’ scandal exploded. It went viral. Rumor is Lucas’s friends leaked it. She’s been a social pariah ever since."
Isabella caught snippets of the conversation, her face darkening as she glared at Evelyn. "Thought you fled the country. What are you doing here?"
"Not your concern," Evelyn said evenly.
Isabella’s lips curled. "Still bitter? News flash—Lucas never wanted you. He sure as hell doesn’t now."
Evelyn had no idea why Isabella was still fixated on her when the divorce was final. Not in the mood for drama, she quickly paid and stood, tugging Natalie toward the exit.
But Isabella stepped into their path, eyes blazing. "You stole my wedding and walked off with half his money. You’re just a gold-digger with a superiority complex."
She wrinkled her nose theatrically. "Money can’t mask that peasant stench. Stay away from me with that trashy aura of yours."
End of The CEO’s Hidden Bride: Leaving After 2555 Days Chapter 21. Continue reading Chapter 22 or return to The CEO’s Hidden Bride: Leaving After 2555 Days book page.