Chapter: 96
She surveyed the room, masking her turmoil with a forced smile.
Her eyes locked with Kaitlin's, and she found it impossible to maintain even a forced smile.
Fists balled, Lilliana contemplated how she could disrupt Kaitlin's evening.
“Kaitlin, caught something interesting?" Quintin had managed to elude Phoebe and approached stealthily.
He looked toward Lilliana, only to find she had vanished.
“Nothing much. How did the talks go?" Kaitlin responded.
“With Phoebe in charge, you've got nothing to fret over." Quintin nodded towards Phoebe, who was effortlessly engaging a group of business associates.
Phoebe's adept networking was on full display, even at this event by the Hewitt Group.
"It's mot her I'm worried about. It's you. You don't look too cheerful," Kaitlin said.
Though Quintin's face remained impassive, Kaitlin sensed his discontent.
“Why did you attend a banquet held by your ex-husband? Is it really just for the jewelers?" Quintin didn't mince words, his directness cutting through the noise of the gathering.
Kaitlin nodded with resolve. "Yes, I'm here for the jewelers."
“Really? Then why didn't you just turn him away when he kept showing up at the studio?"
A flicker of surprise crossed Kaitlin's face as she realized Quintin seemed unusually interested tonight.
"Why this sudden concern about my ex-husband?" she asked.
Quintin coughed on his champagne, pausing before he answered. “Who's worried about him? I'm concerned about you. You used to be so trusting, always handing everything over to him. Now that he's treating you slightly better, you're not considering getting back with him, are you?"
His frustration was palpable, as if he couldn't fathom her making such a decision.
“Who said anything about getting back together?" Kaitlin's frown deepened, her focus clear on her career.
“Then why dress up Like this tonight? Are you trying to get your ex -husband's attention?" Quintin pressed.
Kaitlin looked around. Indeed, few others had chosen black. She chuckled, a bit forced. "I thought black was understated. I didn't realize..."
Quintin's demeanor lightened, his mood lifting visibly. “Kaitlin, remember everything that's happened. Don't let him deceive you again."
“I got it," Kaitlin responded. These words echoed those she often heard from Phoebe.
Their conversation shifted away from Alan, and they shared a few more jokes.
They were deep in conversation and laughing when Alan wheeled Miguel into the hall, with Beth right next to him.