Gerald couldn’t even remember her name anymore, and he couldn’t be bothered to pick a fight with her at the moment.
That left the seat by the door, where all the food would be brought in.
Realizing that this had been everyone’s intention all along, Gerald simply resigned himself to it.
Actually, there was an empty spot beside Sharon, too. However, she’d left her handbag on there, indicating that she was saving the seat for somebody. Certainly, she’d made no move to offer it to him.
Lilian grinned at Gerald, then turned and asked, “Sharon, when’s Murphy gonna get here?”
“That guy… Hmph! Always wishy-washy about everything. Every time, he’ll say he’s almost there—but you’re still gonna have to wait a while!”
Although she sounded upset, in truth her heart sang with pride.
“Yo, yo, yo! Is Sharon talking about Murphy, as in the Murphy who graduated and immediately became sales manager of an upmarket business along Mayberry Commercial Street? Are the two of you not getting along, then?”
“Right? Back when he was still a student, Sharon clung to him everywhere. Now that he’s a Mayberry big shot, you’re full of complaints? Actually, you just want us to be jealous of you, right?”
“Honestly speaking though, could you tell us how he landed that job? Gosh, sales manager at Mayberry Street… I wouldn’t trade it for a dozen state appointments!”
No sooner had Sharon mentioned her boyfriend than the whole table was abuzz about him. The air was thick with the smell of envy.
“Hah, I wouldn’t know about that!” Sharon laughed. “When he gets here, he can tell you himself!”
Right on cue, the doors opened, and two men walked in.
“Murphy, you’re here!” Everyone greeted the tall, thin man with warm smiles.
However, it was only after he’d arrived that he began to suspect that Lilian might have had other motives behind inviting him here. Gerald had been brought here to be the party clown, the evening’s amusement.
No one here really cared about him, not even Sharon—Gerald didn’t even know who she was anymore.
This whole thing had turned out to be a huge disappointment.
Gerald had no interest in this Murphy guy.
Murphy, on the other hand, was beaming at him. “Ahaha, what a character you are, Gerald! Sorry, I was only joking around. I heard from Sharon that the two of you used to be good friends.”
“Hmph! Gerald, Murphy was offering to shake hands with you, just now! Where are your manners?”
“That’s right! Murphy, you don’t have to apologize to this guy at all! Just ask Sharon—he’s a total deadbeat!”
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