Chapter 24: Chapter 24: He Wouldn’t Be Your Fiancé, Would He?

"Old classmate, long time no see!" Wendy Winters hurriedly got up and went to greet the handsome, mixed-race man, a smile blooming on her face like a flower.

The way she treated this old classmate was clearly different from how she’d treated Claire Lawrence. Not only was Wendy Winters all smiles, but she also had a fawning look on her face.

"And you are?" the handsome man asked.

Pfft. Claire Lawrence let out a laugh and whispered to Yvonne Sutton, "She tried to cozy up to him, but he gave her the cold shoulder. He doesn’t even remember her."

Yvonne Sutton tugged on Claire Lawrence’s sleeve. "Let’s just go inside."

"No way, I want to watch the drama unfold."

The smile on Wendy Winters’s face was starting to look strained. Just then, Monica Lynch quickly made the introduction.

"This is Wendy Winters! She was our high school’s belle."

The handsome man thought hard but still shook his head. He then raised an eyebrow and asked, "But wasn’t my uncle the school belle in high school?"

Monica Lynch could only laugh it off. "Right, your uncle served as both the school belle and the school stud back then."

Worried Wendy Winters would be embarrassed, she added jokingly, "Back then, we had to rebuild our school’s perimeter wall all the time because students from other schools were constantly trying to scale it just to get a peek at Silas Rhodes’s uncle. Hey, Wendy, you remember that, don’t you?"

Wendy Winters masked her embarrassment with a laugh. "Of course I remember. We were so afraid other schools would try to steal our school stud that the students organized a ’Stud Protection Association’."

"I was the president of the Class Six Chapter," Monica Lynch roared with laughter.

Claire Lawrence tutted and shook her head, whispering, "I’m cringing so hard for those two."

Yvonne Sutton pursed her lips. It was, indeed, quite awkward.

Just then, Wendy Winters pulled Vincent Reed over, pushing him in front of Silas Rhodes. "You two have been classmates since middle school, and you were even in the same class in high school."

Vincent Reed was clearly annoyed by Wendy’s sycophantic introduction. He thrust his hands into his pockets and said flatly, "We just saw each other a few days ago."

"Oh, really?" Wendy Winters feigned curiosity.

"Yes. Regarding a potential collaboration."

"Oh, that’s wonderful! Since you two are old classmates, I’m sure any collaboration between you would go very smoothly."

Silas Rhodes tilted his head with a playful, mischievous smile. He lazily extended a hand. "Old classmate, you’re not still mad at me, are you?"

Vincent Reed scoffed and briefly touched his outstretched hand. "A partnership needs to be a win-win. Since the odds weren’t in our favor, there was really no need to proceed."

"That’s what I like about you—so good at letting things go."

"It’s not just The Reed Group that can let it go. The Rhodes Group let it go too. We were both potential clients in that deal, after all."

"It’s not quite the same. After all, countless companies are fighting tooth and nail for a chance to work with The Rhodes Group."

Vincent Reed’s expression darkened, and he shoved his hands back into his pockets.

The atmosphere grew tense. Wendy Winters shot Monica Lynch a look.

Monica Lynch quickly took Silas Rhodes’s arm and guided him toward the private room. "It’s so noisy out here. Let’s go have a drink inside."

Silas Rhodes playfully tipped up Monica Lynch’s chin, making her giggle. As the two headed into the private room, Monica Lynch glanced back at Yvonne Sutton’s group, her smile deepening with malice.

Claire Lawrence nudged Yvonne Sutton with her elbow and whispered, "See? There’s always a bigger fish. Even someone like Wendy Winters has to suck up to that guy, and even Vincent Reed gets put in his place sometimes."

"Vincent, you seem to know Silas Rhodes pretty well," Wendy Winters whispered to Vincent Reed. "The Rhodes Group’s film production company is backing a new historical drama. They’re casting for it right now, and all the big and small-time actresses are fighting over the roles. There’s a character I really like... could you talk to Silas for me and try to get me the part?"

Vincent Reed frowned. "So the only reason you brought me here tonight was to use me to get a role?"

"I had no choice. I don’t know him well, but I know you two are good friends."

"We stopped being friends a long time ago."

"Is this still about that incident? That was years ago. Can’t you just swallow your pride for me, please?"

"I have to go. I’m leaving."

As Vincent Reed turned to leave, Wendy Winters quickly grabbed his arm and pleaded, "Vincent, please help me. You wouldn’t want to see me unhappy, would you?"

Vincent Reed let out a heavy sigh but ultimately stayed.

Just then, Monica Lynch came out of the private room. "What are you two doing? I got him here for you, and instead of coming inside, you’re just chatting out in the hall."

Wendy Winters then pulled Vincent Reed toward the room. "Maybe you can bring up that collaboration project again."

"There’s nothing to talk about."

Monica Lynch seemed to remember something. She looked at Yvonne Sutton and started laughing before she’d even said a word.

"Yvonne, that man who was just here... do you know him?"

Yvonne Sutton frowned. ’Why is she asking me this?’

"You don’t?"

Monica Lynch laughed even harder, waving Wendy Winters over. "Come look at her. She’s a complete joke."

When Wendy Winters realized what was happening, she laughed too, though she feigned a look of pity for Yvonne.

"Yvonne, what are we going to do? I’m so worried you’re going to get doxxed and swarmed online again."

Claire Lawrence snapped, "What are you two laughing at? Are you speaking in riddles?"

Monica Lynch shot Claire Lawrence a glare before turning back to Yvonne. Suppressing a smirk, she asked, "Did you say the villa you’re living in now—Number 8 at Seacliff—was a gift from your fiancé?"

Yvonne Sutton frowned. She’d never said that, but it was obvious this was the story Wendy Winters had been spreading to Monica Lynch.

"Haha, you really don’t know who that was?"

"What are you trying to say?"

"He’s the owner of Seacliff Villa, Number 8!"

Yvonne Sutton froze. ’How is that possible?’

"So by your logic, that means Silas Rhodes is your fiancé? Yvonne, are you insane? He’s a Rhodes! The Rhodes Family! Surely you know who they are. They started in shipping and now they’re in real estate, technology, entertainment—everything. And they’re the leaders in every single one of those fields. They built a corporate empire! Hah! Even in your wildest dreams, you shouldn’t be fantasizing about marrying into the Rhodes Family. Isn’t that a bit delusional?"

"Monica, don’t say that. You’re embarrassing Yvonne," Wendy Winters said, feigning concern.

"Showing off a fake property deed, how pathetic. He has so many properties sitting empty, I have no idea how you managed to rent one, but a rental is a rental. You should stick to the facts, or you’ll only end up humiliating yourself," Monica Lynch said with a look of disdain.

Claire Lawrence planted her hands on her hips and yelled, "What are you talking about? That villa belongs to Yvonne!"

Monica Lynch scoffed, not bothering to argue with Claire. "Wendy, let’s not waste our time on them. We have important things to do tonight."

"Okay."

Wendy Winters tugged on Vincent Reed’s sleeve, shot a final glance at Yvonne Sutton, and then followed Monica Lynch inside.

Vincent Reed was the last to go. He was burning with anger and had nowhere to direct it. He strode over to Yvonne Sutton and snapped, "If you don’t have a place to live, I’ll buy you one! Just stop embarrassing me!"

Yvonne Sutton scoffed. "What do I have to do with you? How could I possibly embarrass you?"

"Hmph. We’re going house-hunting tomorrow. Pick whichever one you want, and I’ll buy it for you. Then get out of that villa immediately!" With that, Vincent Reed stalked off toward the private room.

Yvonne Sutton blinked. "Seriously, what’s his problem?"

Claire Lawrence nodded. "A major one, for sure."

"But still... that villa really was a gift from your fiancé, right? He wouldn’t have lied to you, would he?"