Clayton touched Nicole’s head. His eyes deepened, and his voice was warm and clear as he said, “If you like, I can adapt.”
The two looked at each other just as the elevator opened.
Ian came out to make a phone call, just in time to see the couple smiling at each other with affection. He suddenly felt like he was forced to watch them be all lovey-dovey.
He coughed and looked at the two with a cheeky smile.
“Aren’t you guys going to come out?“
The two were stunned and walked out with a smile. Clayton stretched out his hand for a handshake, but Ian did not shake his hand and hugged him instead. Ian patted Clayton on the shoulder.
“Welcome back, Clayton!”
Clayton also patted Ian on the shoulder and felt touched.
“Thanks.”
Ian glanced at Nicole and raised his eyebrows.
“Julie came early, but we’re expecting one more — Lance.”
Nicole was slightly taken aback. “He hasn’t left yet?”
Ian lowered his eyes slightly.
“It’s Yvette’s death anniversary soon.”
Nicole did not speak and stayed silent for a moment. Clayton took her hand and said, “Let’s go in.”
The private room was dimly lit.
When Clayton opened the door and went in, he heard Lumi singing her heart out while Julie applauded on the side.
Everyone laughed and said Lumi sang well. When they saw Nicole and Clayton, they fell silent.
Ian said to everyone, “Come on, let’s raise our glasses to congratulate Clayton for his narrow escape from death!”
Clayton did not expect everyone to be so enthusiastic. He thought this was just a gathering in his name.
Thus, he felt a little awkward.
Nicole took his hand and sat down. They were easygoing and took a glass of red wine each to clink glasses with everyone. Clayton smiled and said something to Nicole, who smiled and nodded.
Clayton also smiled.
The room became lively again with everyone singing, dancing, and drinking.
Nicole was a little drunk when she watched as Ian went to drink with Clayton. There was no way Clayton could beat Ian in drinking because Ian was an experienced drinker. Ian drank three glasses in a row.
She knew that they would not really go overboard by forcing Clayton to drink, and the alcohol content in the drinks was not very high.
Julie had a few drinks, leaned over Nicole’s shoulder, and sighed.
“It’s great that we can still get together like this.”
Nicole agreed. She suddenly thought of something and turned to look at Lance, who was sitting silently in the corner. Her heart sank a little.
All of these people had their own families and careers.
Lance could have moved on with his life without a care, but he did not.
Although Lance and Yvette had a marriage alliance, it was clear from Yvette’s attitude before her death that the two of them had long broken through that boundary.
When Lance came back for the first time, he was different from his past calm and spirited self.
He became more reserved and stern.
Nicole heard that his influence in the central region expanded significantly. It seemed that Lance had devoted all his energy to his work, and the way he dealt with things was more resolute.
Lance seemed to be packing his schedule and forcing himself to be too busy with work so that he had no time to think about other things.
She sighed and patted Julie’s shoulder.
“We’ll have plenty of opportunities to get together again. Lance hasn’t moved on yet?”
Julie shook her head.
“Aunt Quimbey went to live in Hong Kong. Sheldon Corporation also withdrew from Atlanta’s business scene. Lance didn’t attend any business receptions here except for our party. I guess he wanted to come for Yvette.”
Nicole’s heart was gloomy, and her eyes were a little sore.
“She’s the only one missing, yet she’s the one who loves partying the most.”
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