Next Man, Better Plan novel Chapter 9

The one who spoke was Yves, Quennel's best friend and the host of tonight's gathering.

Yves said, "Whatever the argument is, let's put it aside for tonight. It's my girlfriend's birthday, so do me a favor."

Someone else chimed in immediately, "Yeah, Mr. Gonzalez has only had eyes for you all these years. Everyone knows how deep your love is. If you fight with him, he'll get drunk later and end up crying on our shoulders again."

"Don't spread rumors. When has Mr. Gonzalez ever cried? He just hugs a bottle and says, 'Stephanie, I love you.'"

The room erupted in laughter.

Quennel shot them a glare. "Alright, that's enough. Stephanie is shy. Don't joke like that in front of her."

With that, Quennel ordered all the men in the room to put out their cigarettes.

"If you want to smoke, go outside. My Stephanie doesn't like the smell. Don't let it bother her."

The Gonzalez family was at the top of Veridian's social hierarchy, and Quennel's words carried weight in their circle.

As soon as he spoke, all the men in the room stubbed out their cigarettes in unison.

He played the part of the perfect gentleman so well that if Stephanie left now, she would seem unreasonable.

Besides, she hadn't sold the company yet, so she couldn't afford to make things too tense and arouse Quennel's suspicions.

For the next ten minutes, Quennel transformed into a doting husband, peeling grapes for Stephanie and blowing warm air onto her cold hands.

In the past, Stephanie might have been captivated by such gestures.

But now, she felt that Quennel was probably just a performer.

Stephanie remained silent throughout.

She felt like a bystander, numbly watching the scene unfold, yet she couldn't help but think: if only Quennel hadn't changed.

If he hadn't, she would be basking in his sweet and tender care right now.

In a voice only the two of them could hear, Victoria said:

"The house was still being renovated. The workers had just delivered the marital bed. You were away on a business trip that night. Quennel and I, on that bed, we went through a whole box of condoms."

"For the next two days, we left traces of our love in every corner of that house. Quennel was wild with me, pinning me down and calling me his baby."

"Stephanie, you've been together for so long, and you're supposed to be in your honeymoon phase, but he hasn't even touched you, has he? He has no feelings for you. You grew up together. You've seen every side of each other."

"But the most important thing in a relationship is novelty. When he touches you, it's like touching his own hand. What kind of thrill can you give him? That's something only I have given him."

Victoria's words left Stephanie stunned for several seconds.

She clenched her fists so tightly her knuckles turned white, a chill creeping up from the soles of her feet.

That house was the wedding gift from the Gonzalez family, located in Veridian's most exclusive villa community, worth billions.