The Plane Tickets He Hoarded The Wife He Hid novel Chapter 163

163 Chapter 163 Countless Silent Wars

Blanche’s POV 1

As Zain praised Nathan, I watched pride flicker across the younger man’s face.

Nathan straightened up, touched his glass to Zain’s, and spoke quietly, “Joanna can get a little wild sometimes–our family’s spoiled her

rotten.

Zain, if she ever causes you trouble, just say the word. I’ll straighten her out.”

Looking flustered, Joanna pulled at Nathan’s sleeve.

“Stop it, Nathan! I’m not half as wild as you make me sound.”

Nathan turned toward Joanna and ruffled her hair teasingly. “We’ve known each other since we were kids. You think I don’t know exactly

what you’re like?”

Quick as lightning, Joanna slipped behind Zain, clutching his arm and giving it a playful shake, her voice turning whiny. “Zain, see how

my brother picks on me!”

Zain smiled faintly and drew Joanna protectively behind him. “Nathan, Joanna’s perfect. She’s never caused me any problems.”

Nathan chuckled. “You can’t resist defending her.”

Drew jumped in, “Nathan, I’ll vouch for Zain on that. Joanna’s never gotten on his nerves.”

He looked toward Nicholas. “Right, Nicholas?”

Nicholas rose with a lukewarm smile, lifted his glass to join the toast, and said, “Can’t argue with that.”

Though Nicholas wasn’t particularly fond of Joanna, he had to give her credit–she was genuinely sweet, never stirring up drama or being catty, and she treated Carry with kindness.

That earned her points in his book.

I desperately wanted to tune out their chatter, but sharing the same table made escape impossible.

Rather than listen, I simply nursed my drink quietly.

Vincent sensed my discomfort and scooted his chair closer, draping his arm across the back of my seat in a sheltering gesture.

His attention stayed fixed on me, keeping me close while maintaining quiet conversation.

Vincent seemed to think switching topics might lift my spirits.

Kingsley caught my dejected mood, and when he looked at the group opposite us, all he saw was fake bullshit.

I was Zain’s wife, yet everyone treated me like I didn’t exist.

Kingsley had reached his breaking point. He snatched a napkin, cleaned his hands, and started to rise when Noelle beat him to it.

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163 Chapter 163 Countless Silent Wars

After standing, Noelle pulled a business card from his jacket, set it on the table, and slid it toward Zain.

Kingsley wasn’t the only one who noticed–the group across from us, who’d just finished their toast and settled back down, saw it too.

When the card reached Zain, Noelle flashed a deep, authentic smile and said earnestly, “Mr. Jacob, I’m sure you have an excellent legal

team, but I’ve built quite a reputation in the industry myself, as you may know. No disrespect intended, but if you ever need

representation for financial litigation, give me a ring. That’s kind of my specialty.”

Noelle was completely serious, his tone perfectly modulated–not too loud, not too quiet–but his words practically suggested Jacob

Group was heading for bankruptcy.

The moment he finished, Kingsley looked relieved. Under the table, he gave Noelle a covert thumbs–up and murmured, “Noelle, you’ve

mastered the art of the polite takedown. You’re my idol.”

The group across from us looked like they’d bitten into something sour, with Nathan and Drew appearing the most irritated.

Joanna scowled as well, but with Zain and Vincent both present, she maintained her composure and kept her expression neutral.

Nicholas just seemed startled, nothing more.

But Zain remained the most composed of all. His face revealed nothing, though his gaze lingered on Noelle with a trace of curiosity.

He stayed silent, simply studying Noelle without speaking.

Vincent and I both turned toward the other group, our eyes focusing on them.

Noelle’s implication was crystal clear–Vins Group hadn’t proven its staying power, yet Zain was casually throwing business their way.

Would Vins Group even survive long–term?

Drew, the most explosive of the group, slammed his glass onto the table with a harsh, grating sound.

Simultaneously, he snapped at Damien, “What’s your problem? Are you jealous because someone’s more successful than you?”

Damien, always level–headed, didn’t react to Drew’s fury. He was about to respond when Kingsley, seated beside him, released a scornful

laugh. “Please, Drew, don’t get ahead of yourself. Who knows what the future holds? Cross Damien, and don’t come crawling when your

company’s in trouble.”

Drew burst into mocking laughter. “Kingsley, have you lost your mind? Like I’d ever need his help. Even if I went bankrupt or died, I’d

never ask him for anything”

Kingsley settled back in his chair, crossed his legs, and drawled lazily, “If my memory serves, your mother just had brain surgery, right?

Weren’t you scrambling around begging for assistance?

What, already forgotten how desperate you looked?”

Drew’s face turned ashen. “Kingsley Jim, you-”

he sputtered, clearly shaken.

Kingsley narrowed his eyes, his voice dropping to an icy growl. “What’s the matter? Did I strike a nerve?”

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163 Chapter 163 Countless Silent Wars

Drew, realizing he was losing control, grabbed a glass instantly, prepared to hurl it directly at Kingsley.

But before he could act, Vincent, who’d been quietly protecting me, interrupted sharply. “Really, Mr. Stewart? You’re planning to ruin Wayne’s birthday celebration?”

Drew wasn’t afraid of Kingsley or Vincent, but he knew this was Wayne’s special evening. He wouldn’t risk creating a spectacle.

If he did, both he and Zain would face negative publicity.

After considering briefly, Drew slowly placed the wine glass down.

He sat there brooding, his mood completely soured.

As Vincent shifted his attention away from me, he looked across at Zain.

The two men held each other’s gaze across the table–neither spoke, but in that single moment, it seemed like countless silent wars had been waged.

At that table, two opposing sides faced off.

Under the peaceful surface, currents of hostility surged unseen.

Joanna sat next to Zain, but I noticed her unconsciously watching Vincent. He seemed deeply protective of me, constantly going out of

his way to shield me. I imagined Joanna was wondering why someone like Vincent, who has everything, would be interested in a married

woman like me, especially one who already has a child. Perhaps she thought he was merely trying to catch her attention by being so

attentive to me.

While she was lost in these thoughts, Wayne approached with a glass in hand.

He came to propose a toast, clinking glasses with everyone at the table.

Wayne went through the typical host routine, encouraging everyone to enjoy themselves and the meal.

When everyone prepared to toast, Zain noticed Joanna holding a wine glass.

He quickly covered her hand with his and said gently, “Joanna, you have lab research tomorrow. No alcohol tonight.”

Earlier, when she toasted with Nathan, she’d only had a soft drink.

Joanna looked slightly embarrassed. “Zain, it’s Mr. Tim’s birthday. It would seem rude if I didn’t drink at all.”

Zain took the glass from her and told Wayne, “Mr. Tim, I’ll drink this for Joanna.”

With that, he emptied the glass in one gulp.

Wayne watched Zain care for Joanna so attentively, then couldn’t help glancing in my direction.

He was growing confused–he couldn’t figure out who was actually supposed to be Oswald’s granddaughter–in–law anymore.