The Plane Tickets He Hoarded The Wife He Hid novel Chapter 161

161 Chapter 161 Hands That Plant Flowers

Blanche’s POV 1

Drew looked completely sure of himself, which made Vincent burst out laughing.

“Mr. Stewart, feeling pretty confident, are you? What’s this–you’re Joanna’s faithful lapdog now?” Vincent mocked.

Drew’s face turned white with fury. “Vincent Aarav, don’t you dare get smart with me.”

Vincent tilted his chin up, staring down at Drew with complete disdain, crushing him with arrogance. “You actually think you’re good

enough to mouth off to me?”

Drew was so mad he looked ready to swing, but Nicholas caught his arm. “Drew, cool it. This is Mr. Tim’s birthday bash.”

He understood that picking a fight with Vincent was suicide.

Getting that message, Drew choked down his rage, shot Vincent a deadly look, and stalked away, barking, “We’re leaving.”

Nathan dragged his attention away from me standing behind Vincent, then trailed after Drew and Nicholas toward the Tim mansion. As he walked inside, Nathan threw one last glance my way, a cruel smile twisting his mouth. “Interesting,” he muttered, and I felt a shiver of unease. His eyes held a predatory glint that made me suspect he was already plotting something, perhaps hoping Zain would discard me so he could swoop in and play the hero, only to cast me aside himself once I was no longer amusing.

Once that irritating bunch disappeared inside, Vincent spun back to face me, his tone soft. “You alright?”

My face stayed completely blank, not showing happiness or pain. I nodded. “I’m good.”

Seeing how steady I looked, Vincent finally relaxed.

When he noticed I was wobbling slightly in my heels, he snatched my hand and slipped it through his arm, his voice commanding. “Lean

on me.”

I didn’t argue. I just quietly gripped his arm and said, “Alright.”

Walking into the mansion, the first thing that hit us was this massive lawn scattered with tables and chairs. Every table was loaded with

an incredible array of fresh fruit and pastries.

Champagne, wine, and tons of other drinks were everywhere.

The place was swarming with guests of all ages.

I didn’t recognize a soul, so I stayed quiet and kept to myself.

Not seeing Zain or his gang anywhere made me breathe a little easier.

Vincent guided me to a secluded corner and we both sat down.

He kept bringing me different fruits and sweets, stacking them in front of me until I was practically buried under food.

18:29

174

<

161 Chapter 161 Hands That Plant Flowers

I stared at the tower of goodies, then looked at Vincent with raised eyebrows. “What am I, some kind of farm animal?” I asked.

Vincent laughed. “Just sample everything.”

I knew he was being sweet, so I said, “Thanks.”

Right when Vincent was about to speak, a man’s voice interrupted from behind. “Mr. Aarav?”

Everyone knew this birthday party was really just a networking event for climbing the social ladder.

Given Vincent’s position, it made sense that tons of people wanted to kiss up to him.

Vincent faced the guy, flashing a polite grin. “Hey there.”

The man quickly lifted his glass and tapped it against Vincent’s. “Mr. Aarav, your reputation precedes you. Let me toast to your success.”

He knocked back his entire drink.

Vincent watched him but barely sipped his own.

The guy didn’t look offended. Instead, he turned to me and asked, “Mr. Aarav, who’s this stunning woman you’re with?”

Vincent glanced at me as I quietly peeled a chestnut. A stray piece of hair fell across part of my face while I sat there, peaceful and silent,

like something out of a painting.

Watching me, Vincent seemed to get lost in thought.

When he came back to reality, he faced the man and said, “She’s different from the rest. She’s my dream girl–the one I’ve always wanted,

the one I’d move mountains for.”

Vincent made it crystal clear to everyone exactly how much I meant to him.

The guy immediately understood that I was important to Vincent and rushed to butter him up. “Mr. Aarav, you’re incredibly lucky.”

Vincent smiled slightly. “Only if I actually win her over.”

I wasn’t involved in their chat, but I heard every single word.

I felt even more confused–I just couldn’t understand why Vincent was treating me this way.

Noticing this, the man leaned toward me and said, “Miss, would you allow me to toast you?”

Vincent reached out to block him. “Sorry, my girl doesn’t drink,”

I heard him and turned to Vincent. “Actually, I do drink.”

With that, I grabbed a glass of red wine, clinked it against the man’s, and drained it completely.

The guy, seeing me go along so nicely, threw me a few compliments, slipped me his business card, and then walked away.

After he left, Vincent scooted his chair right beside mine, turned toward me, his expression intense. “Are you upset?”

Without looking up, I kept working on my chestnuts and said softly, “Not exactly. It’s just… there’s nothing that feels worth celebrating.”

18:39

323

<

161 Chapter 161 Hands That Plant Flowers

Vincent caught the sadness in my eyes and burst out, “So tell me–what actually makes you happy?”

The chestnut in my fingers was impossible to peel, probably undercooked.

I just gave up and placed it on the table.

Then I met Vincent’s gaze, my expression serious. “I want a peaceful, normal life.”

Vincent seemed shocked by how simple my dream was. He quickly answered, “I can make that happen for you.”

I just smiled faintly. “Vincent, how many people from wealthy families ever get to live simply? Not even you.”

Vincent looked down at his hands, then held them up for me to see, speaking with conviction. “If that’s what you need, these hands can

create riches and luxury for you, or they can plant flowers and grow vegetables for you.”

I glanced at his hands, which were graceful, long, and powerful.

I was stunned for a second, but then I smiled. “Vincent, we come from completely different worlds. We’re not compatible.”

Vincent looked panicked when he heard that. He seemed ready to say he’d abandon all that status and money for me, but before he

could speak, someone called his name from behind.

“Vincent.”

It was a female voice.

Vincent looked down, took a deep breath, and only then turned around.

I also looked at the girl approaching us.

I knew her–this was the same girl who’d been with Vincent at the previous event.

And more than that–I remembered watching Vincent slide his hand along this girl’s thigh in the car.

Thinking about that, I lowered my eyes and pressed my lips together.

I realized someone like Vincent was never cut out for a simple life.

When Vincent saw it was Norah, he quickly controlled his frustration.

Norah did a cute little spin in front of him, her voice sugary. “So? How do I look today?”

Vincent scanned her quickly and nodded. “Yeah, you look nice.”

Norah was direct as always. “I dressed up specially for you, you know.”

Hearing their conversation, I straightened up and quietly slid my chair further away.

Vincent grinned. “You really put in effort.”

Norah Tim dropped into the seat next to Vincent, grabbing onto his arm and chirping, “When dinner begins, will you sit beside me?”

Vincent looked at her hand on his arm, frowned, shook her off, then forced a smile. “No. I’m sitting with my girl”

40:30

<

161 Chapter 161 Hands That Plant Flowers

He turned toward me.

He saw I’d moved two seats over, and his frown got deeper. He leaned forward, grabbed my chair, and pulled it right back next to his.

I had tensed up, ready to resist, but Vincent just dragged me back like it was effortless.

Norah’s interested eyes shifted over, and when she got a clear view of my face, her smile vanished instantly.

Comment 0

Leave the first comment for this chapter.

£3