The Man Who Waited vs. The Man Who Wasted novel Chapter 186

As the star of the night, Claire arrived last.

Her face screamed: Miserable.

Julian hadn't shown up.

Eleanor looked at her in confusion. "It's your birthday, sweetheart. All the elders are here to celebrate you, and they brought you so many presents. Why the long face?"

Claire muttered under her breath, "The person who was supposed to come didn't, and the person who shouldn't be here is."

Jocelyn didn't need a map to know she was the one who shouldn't be here.

Eleanor shot Jocelyn a disdainful look. "And who exactly was supposed to come, darling?"

"Julian Vance," Audrey blurted out.

"Julian Vance?" Eleanor racked her brain. "Is he a classmate of yours?"

Adrian thought he had misheard. "Who did you say?"

"Julian Vance," Audrey repeated. "The CEO of Vanguard Tech, the one from Austin."

Adrian's jaw dropped in disbelief. "You invited him to your birthday dinner?"

Claire lifted her chin defiantly. "So what? Is that a problem?"

"Is that a problem?!" Adrian exploded.

"I think it's perfectly fine," Claire retorted.

"Claire Lowell!" Adrian shouted, completely losing his temper.

Eleanor was utterly lost. "Adrian, do you know this Julian Vance?"

Adrian scoffed coldly. "Know him?" He gritted his teeth. "He's the guy who just poached several of my core engineers for Vanguard Tech."

Vanguard had been aggressively expanding lately, making relentless moves in the market.

Adrian slammed his hand on the table. "I am your older brother! In this house, you listen to me, you know!"

"Then there's also the matriarch of the house!" Claire shot back instantly. She turned and grabbed Audrey's arm. "Audrey, do you think it's okay for me to like Julian?"

Audrey was instantly paralyzed. If she said yes, she'd enrage Adrian. If she said no, she'd alienate Claire. And she desperately needed Claire on her side to secure her status in the Lowell family. She was trapped.

"Well, I..."

"Audrey! Just answer me!" Claire demanded, waiting for support.

Audrey looked at Adrian helplessly. Seeing her panic, Adrian immediately intervened, pulling Claire away. "Don't put her on the spot. Go ask your actual sister-in-law."

"Excuse me?" Jocelyn rolled her eyes.

Adrian was deliberately trying to direct the crossfire at her. Whatever. It wasn't like anyone in this family could hate her any more than they already did.

Jocelyn took a slow sip of water and unhurriedly replied.