Seven Years a Fool One Day a Queen (Kristine and Colton) novel Chapter 37

Eliza didn’t know that Josh would come, as he hadn’t mentioned it before.

But soon, she realized it was only natural for him to be here.

The circle in Washington was small. Calvin and Josh had known each other since childhood, and their families had connections. Now that Josh was back in the country to develop his career, it was expected that they would be in touch more.

Medea also saw Josh and greeted him with a bright smile, “Josh, why did you come so late? I’ve been waiting for you for ages.”

Josh replied, “Traffic delayed me.”

“You’re wearing the tie I gave you, right? It suits you well.”

Medea casually adjusted his tie, making their relationship seem intimate yet appropriately restrained.

Everything seemed perfectly coordinated.

Eliza then remembered the gossip she had overheard outside the room earlier.

Calvin had once said that the most exciting thing he had ever done was play the role of a third party in a love triangle. This was why Gideon had confirmed that the person Calvin had been hiding feelings for was Medea.

Gideon had also mentioned that Medea had pursued Josh abroad.

So… Calvin and Josh were rivals in love.

As Eliza was processing this complicated relationship, Josh walked toward her. “You don’t look too well. Did you not get enough rest?”

His sudden concern caught Eliza off guard. She shook her head, slightly unnerved, “No, I’m fine.”

“Have you been drinking?” Josh furrowed his brows, noticing the faint smell of alcohol on her. “Drinking with a stomach issue?”

“There was no choice, I couldn’t avoid it.” Eliza replied helplessly.

Before Josh could say anything else, someone came over to offer Eliza a drink.

She couldn’t refuse; they were business partners of Everest.

Just as Eliza took the glass, Josh smoothly took it from her and raised it with the person on her behalf. “I’ll drink this for her, hope you don’t

mind?”

The other person, likely recognizing Josh’s identity, was immediately flattered. “Of course not, Enzo! Hello, I’m Brad Atkins from Unite. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Eliza, who had been in the business world for seven years, was surprised to see someone else blocking her drink for the first time.

It was a strange feeling.

Unconsciously, she stared at Josh, lost in thought.

When she realized she was staring, she quickly looked away.

And at that moment, her gaze accidentally met Calvin’s.

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Chapter 37

His eyes were deep, like an unfathomable pool of water, sending a chill down her spine.

When she frowned and looked closer, Calvin turned his gaze away.

This time, he was looking at Josh.

The emotions in his eyes were even more intense than before.

Eliza clearly saw jealousy in his gaze, and it lasted for a few seconds.

She was surprised. After all, she had never seen him show such an emotion in all these years.

Calvin was an extremely calm person, and his emotions rarely showed.

So, was he jealous of Josh because of Medea? Was this rare emotional outburst because he cared about her?

Love, it seemed, could make people lose control.

On the other side, Josh’s actions of blocking Eliza’s drink didn’t go unnoticed by Medea, Calvin, and Gideon.

Medea was surprised.

She had already felt uneasy seeing Josh and Eliza together frequently, and now with Josh openly blocking her drink for Eliza, she couldn’t help but narrow her eyes.

Gideon, who loved to gossip, couldn’t hide his thoughts. “Why is Josh blocking drinks for Eliza? Are they that close?”

He had intended to ask Calvin, but someone interrupted to talk to Calvin, so he swallowed the question.

Noticing Medea ‘s displeasure, he quickly added, “Don’t worry, Medea. I think Josh’s actions are a bit too obvious. It seems fake.”

“Men understand men. Even if you’ve broken up, there’s still possessiveness towards exes. I think Josh is just using Eliza to provoke you, nothing more,” Gideon said dismissively.

“Besides, once you’ve been with someone better, you wouldn’t settle for someone like her. Josh’s taste isn’t that bad. He doesn’t need to pay attention to people like her.”

Gideon didn’t hide his disdain for Eliza at all.

Medea, hearing this, felt a little better inside,

But she still couldn’t help but look at Calvin, trying to gauge his reaction.

Calvin had seen Josh block the drink for Eliza as well, but he continued talking with others, completely indifferent.

It seemed like he didn’t care about Eliza at all.

Medea ‘s little frustration completely vanished, and she happily took the glass, linking her arm with Calvin’s, and joined the conversation, no longer paying attention to Eliza and Josh.

By the time the banquet was halfway through, Eliza hadn’t drunk another drop of alcohol, but Josh had made sure she ate enough.

With some food in her stomach, she felt much better, and her mood improved too.

Just as Eliza was thanking Josh, Calvin and Medea approached.

The two of them were inseparable, always sticking together.

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Seven Years a Fool One Day & Queen

Chapter 37

Medea seemed very concerned about Josh. “Josh, you’ve had quite a bit to drink. Are you okay?”

Josh replied, “I’m fine, I haven’t drunk too much.”

Eliza noticed that Calvin was holding a glass of wine, not sparkling water, and she was confused.

Then, Calvin raised his glass and clinked it with Josh’s. “Today’s been so busy, I didn’t get a chance to have a proper drink with you. Josh, thank

you for coming.”

Josh, puzzled, asked, “Calvin, aren’t you allergic to alcohol?”

Medea, smiling blissfully as she hugged Calvin’s arm, added, “This is my first time attending the banquet as Everest’s investment director. Of course, I have to network and drink. Calvin took allergy medication beforehand to help me with the drinking.”

“He’s been blocking drinks for me today. I haven’t had a single drop.”

Medea ‘s smile was bright and content, clearly the result of Calvin’s absolute pampering.

But at that moment, Eliza felt like she had fallen into an abyss.

Although she had already seen Calvin’s favoritism toward Medea, hearing Medea say it out loud at this moment completely broke her.

She had fought fiercely for him, for Everest, in these drinking sessions. She had ruined her stomach and even lost a child in the process.

In the end, all of it had been her one–sided devotion.

Calvin never saw her effort, never cared for her, and certainly never cared for her life.

He only cared for Medea.

He willingly paved the way for her, introduced her to connections, and even took allergy medication to block drinks for her…

Eliza felt like her heart was being torn apart, pierced by thousands of needles.

Her past efforts and suffering were being mercilessly shredded by her every inch.

The wounds she had buried deep inside were now bleeding and raw.

She was afraid of losing control of her emotions, so she quickly found an excuse to leave,

She knew she looked desperate.

But she couldn’t think of any other way to protect herself except to run away.

Loving Calvin had truly caused her to lose everything.