Chapter 229: Chapter 229: His Gaze Was Cold
Alice’s gaze followed the direction of the guests’ chatter, and sure enough, she saw Wyatt Sterling.
He wore a deep brown three-piece suit, his tall, dashing figure standing amongst the guests, so striking he was impossible to ignore.
A young woman was indeed standing beside him.
From her vantage point, however, Alice could only see the woman’s profile. A deep purple couture gown highlighted her stunning curves. Standing beside Wyatt Sterling, she looked like a perfect match for him.
Alice pressed her lips together. It would be a lie to say she wasn’t upset, but she also understood that it was perfectly normal to have a female companion at this kind of event.
She could only stare longingly at Wyatt Sterling. She wasn’t sure if it was a coincidence or if he had sensed her gaze, but as he set down his champagne flute, he glanced in her direction.
Alice didn’t hide or look away. She raised the corners of her lips into a wide smile for him.
She was dressed to the nines tonight, her features as delicate as a painting. That smile was more dazzling than the stars, but Wyatt Sterling merely flicked his eyes over her before coolly looking away.
’Could it be that he didn’t see me...? But he was clearly looking in my direction.’
’Or maybe I’m too far away for him to have noticed me?’
’If he didn’t see me, so be it. It’s not like I can just go stand openly beside him anyway. All I have to do now is behave, not cause him any trouble. Things will be fine after tonight is over.’
Just as she was thinking this, someone tapped her on the shoulder from behind.
Alice turned but saw no one. Just as she was turning back in confusion, a face suddenly appeared right in front of her, making her jump.
"Finn Hawthorne, are you crazy?"
Alice clutched her heaving chest, the terror still visible on her face. She had clearly gotten a bad scare.
Finn Hawthorne scratched the back of his head, looking helpless and guilty. "I’m sorry, Alice. I just wanted to give you a surprise, but I guess it turned into... a scare."
"A surprise?"
Finn Hawthorne immediately spun around in front of Alice. "Me! Aren’t I a surprise?"
"..."
If not for her good manners, Alice would have rolled her eyes at Finn Hawthorne by now. He was always popping up out of nowhere and scaring her. If she had to be around him often, she’d have a nervous breakdown sooner or later.
"So, do I look handsome tonight?" Finn Hawthorne tugged at his collar. "I haven’t dressed this formally in ages."
Alice muttered that he looked handsome, then poked Finn Hawthorne’s arm. "That woman with my Third Uncle—do you know who she is?"
Finn Hawthorne’s heart skipped a beat. He stood frozen.
’That’s weird. It’s like he’s been frozen solid...’
Alice poked his arm again, but he still didn’t move. She switched from poking to pinching, her grip tightening until Finn Hawthorne couldn’t stand it and yelped in pain, "Ow, ow, ow! Let go, let go, that hurts!"
"So you can feel pain, huh?" Alice retracted her hand. "I’m being serious, I’m not joking around. Hurry up and look. Do you recognize the woman with my Third Uncle?"
Gritting his teeth, Finn Hawthorne followed her gaze.
"Well? Do you recognize her?" Alice waited for him to respond.
"I do," Finn Hawthorne said calmly. "Evelyn Hawthorne."
The name sounded familiar. It took Alice a couple of seconds to place it. "Isn’t that... your sister?"
"Yeah, that’s my sister," Finn Hawthorne said, sneaking a glance at Alice’s reaction.
’She’s so calm. Not a hint of anger in her eyes. Right, she doesn’t know anything yet... but she will soon...’
Alice glanced at him, noticing his conflicted expression. "Tonight’s banquet is for your sister, isn’t it? Why aren’t you by her side? What are you doing over here with me?"
"I..."
"Never mind. You should probably go back over there."
"No, I’m staying with you."
"..."
Alice felt something was very off about him. He kept looking like he wanted to say something but was holding back, as if someone was threatening him.
"Finn Hawthorne... what is it you want to say?"
She hadn’t wanted to ask, but his expression had piqued her curiosity. She had a feeling it was something important.
"You..." Finn Hawthorne moved to stand in front of Alice, blocking her view. "You and my brother... it’s just an act, right? You’re not really together?"
’Oh, so that’s what this is about.’
’And here I was thinking it was something serious. I was actually getting nervous.’
"Answer me. Is it fake?" Finn Hawthorne pressed when she didn’t answer right away.
Alice looked away and hummed in affirmation.
"I knew it," Finn Hawthorne murmured, but his face held no trace of a smile.
"You’re being weird," Alice said, pushing him aside. "You’re blocking my view."
Finn Hawthorne took the opportunity to grab her wrist. "Let me take you to the tower, okay? I took you there the other day. You can see the whole banquet from up there."
"I’m not going."
"But the view is amazing. It’s beautiful, trust me."
"I’ve seen it already. I’m not interested," Alice stated, making her refusal to go with him clear.
Finn Hawthorne’s brows knitted together. He realized that no matter what he said, Alice wasn’t going to go with him.
’In that case...’
"Third Young Master!"
Chase Jennings appeared out of nowhere, blocking Finn Hawthorne’s path.
Finn Hawthorne’s expression darkened. The thought of dragging Alice away had just crossed his mind, and before he could even act on it, Chase Jennings had shown up!
"Third Young Master, I know you. I can tell what you’re thinking from a single expression," Chase Jennings said impassively.
Finn Hawthorne, utterly humiliated: "..."
Alice seized the opportunity to pull her hand free and stepped away. Finn Hawthorne tried to follow, but Chase Jennings blocked him.
Finn Hawthorne said angrily, "Chase Jennings, get out of my way."
Chase Jennings stood firm. "Third Young Master, the Eldest Young Master only gave you permission to see Miss Alice, not to take her away."
"I wasn’t going to take her anywhere," Finn Hawthorne flatly denied.
Chase Jennings: "I don’t believe you."
"..."
Alice glanced back as she walked away, relieved to see that Finn Hawthorne hadn’t followed. ’That guy is so weird tonight,’ she thought. ’Insisting on taking me away... I wonder what he’s planning.’
"What are you doing hiding over here?"
Alice turned and saw Rosalind Sawyer standing a short distance away, watching her.
"I just wandered over here." Alice walked toward Rosalind Sawyer. "Weren’t you with the Old Master? What brings you over here?"
Rosalind Sawyer’s face was impassive. "I came to find you."
’Find me? This is probably Old Master Sterling’s doing. Felix Hawthorne has been with his fiancée all night, while I haven’t shown my face. The Old Master hasn’t seen me, so he’s probably unhappy now.’
"I’ll go with you now," Alice said.
Rosalind Sawyer gave her a look, then turned. "Keep up."
Alice nodded and quickened her pace to follow.
"That’s a beautiful gown. Hiding it away like that makes you seem timid," Rosalind Sawyer said as they walked.
Alice made an excuse. "I’m cold."
Rosalind Sawyer let out a soft chuckle. "Suit yourself," she said, and didn’t say anything more.
