Chapter 104: Chapter 104: Anticipation
### Chapter 104: Anticipation
When Raina Lowell appeared as if out of nowhere, it wasn’t just Hazel Hawthorne who saw her. To be precise, everyone at the party had their eyes drawn to Raina’s sudden arrival. Those who recognized her immediately turned to look at Aiden Xavier, who was standing beside Harrison Hawthorne.
Aiden Xavier remained expressionless, his attitude unreadable. He simply watched as Raina Lowell gathered the hem of her skirt and walked toward him in her high heels. As she passed Hazel Hawthorne, her eyes instinctively flickered over to her.
’She’s openly provoking me,’ Hazel thought. ’Showing up at my father’s birthday party, all dressed up just to challenge me.’ Especially now, as Raina stood beside Aiden, they looked as if *she* were his wife, and I were just a bystander.
"Uncle Hawthorne, happy birthday," Raina said. "Aiden only told me yesterday, so I just prepared a small gift. I hope you’ll like it." Her smile was sweet, her voice gentle. Hazel, watching from the side, thought that with such a display, she could probably capture not just Aiden’s heart, but her father’s as well.
Fortunately, Harrison Hawthorne was aware of the relationship between Raina and Aiden. He didn’t accept the gift right away, merely giving Raina an indifferent look before signaling a nearby server to set the present aside.
Then, Hazel heard her father call her name. "What are you still doing sitting over there?"
Hazel got to her feet with a certain languor and, at her father’s urging, went to Aiden’s side. She too had dressed up for the occasion—she couldn’t bring shame to the Xavier family, after all. But compared to Raina, she felt it was Raina who was stealing the show, the guest outshining the host.
"Aiden," Raina cooed as she saw Hazel approach. She immediately reached out to link her arm with his, but Aiden sidestepped the gesture with a subtle movement. In doing so, he inexplicably closed the distance between himself and Hazel.
Seeing that Hazel wasn’t reacting, Harrison Hawthorne spoke up directly. "Ms. Lowell, please enjoy yourself." He then had Hazel link her arm through Aiden’s and promptly led the couple away.
The atmosphere grew awkward with Raina’s arrival. Now, with Aiden gone, she stood alone, putting on a pitiful, damsel-in-distress look that made more than a few men in the room want to rush over to comfort her and ease her embarrassment.
Anyone with eyes could see where Harrison Hawthorne stood regarding Raina Lowell.
Seeing Aiden about to leave, Raina called out again, "Aiden..."
Hazel lifted her gaze and stared at Aiden. ’I’m not the one forcing him to choose,’ she thought. ’He brought this trouble on himself. I won’t help him fix it, and I won’t clean up his mess. I’m just curious to see what he’ll do now, with everyone watching.’
Aiden’s face was a blank mask. Hazel’s hand was still linked through his arm. He lifted his free hand and placed it over hers. It looked like a gesture of holding her hand, but Hazel could tell from the look in his eyes that what he really wanted to do was let her go.
In that moment, Hazel was tense.
"Aiden," Raina called out again softly.
Hazel felt Aiden’s hand begin to loosen its grip. A cold smirk touched her lips. ’Fine. If you find it so hard to choose, I’ll make the choice for you and grant you two shameless lovebirds your wish.’
With that thought, Hazel moved to pull her hand away. But just as she did, Aiden’s grip, which had been loosening just a moment ago, suddenly tightened firmly around her hand. He then turned to Raina and said, "Raina, please, enjoy the party. If you need anything, just find one of the servers."
It wasn’t just Hazel who breathed a sigh of relief; Harrison Hawthorne did, too.
Everyone in Kenport knew about Aiden and Raina’s relationship. For her to show up so brazenly at Hazel’s own father’s birthday party was a clear demonstration of power, a deliberate provocation aimed at Hazel.
Aiden glanced at Raina, then, as if nothing had happened, he led Hazel away to greet some of the other senior guests.
Raina was left standing alone, her expression turning ugly as she watched Aiden and Hazel’s retreating backs.
"I really thought you were going to let me go and stand with Raina," Hazel said in a low voice, meant only for him.
Aiden glanced at her, asking with genuine curiosity, "And if I had gone to her side, what would you have done?"
"Didn’t you just see?"
If he had hesitated for even a few more seconds, she would have let go of his hand herself.
Thinking back to her subtle movement, Aiden let out a sudden, sarcastic laugh. "I never realized you were so noble, so willing to help others achieve their heart’s desire."
"I’d rather take the initiative and save my own dignity than wait for you to embarrass me."
Hazel’s feet were aching by the time she finished making the rounds with him and could finally sit down. She couldn’t help but stare at Aiden. "Have you ever wondered why Raina showed up here?"
Aiden looked at her blankly.
Hazel said meaningfully, "The one who is loved can get away with anything."
’Would Raina dare to show up like this, completely ignoring the occasion, if she weren’t so loved and spoiled by Aiden? She’s only this bold because she knows that no matter what outrageous thing she does, Aiden will tolerate it. He’ll never get angry with her.’
’A mistress, brazenly provoking the legal wife in public.’ Sometimes, Hazel felt pathetic. People like Raina, if you give them an inch, they take a mile.
Raina’s appearance guaranteed the evening would not be a peaceful one.
Turbulent waves often lie hidden beneath a calm surface.
’Hazel never went looking for trouble. But when trouble came knocking, what could she do? You either take what’s coming, or you counter every move as it’s made.’
Ultimately, Raina couldn’t stand being ignored. When she thought no one was looking, she saw Hazel slip away and quietly followed.
Outside the restroom, Hazel was standing before a mirror when she saw a second reflection appear alongside her own. It was Raina. Hazel couldn’t help but smile as she turned to face the woman who had suddenly appeared behind her. "You really like these surprise attacks, don’t you?"
Raina said nothing, only smiled.
Hazel was unfazed. "Between the two of us," she said lightly, "who do you think is going to have something happen to them here?"
Raina remained silent. The main hall was just beyond the doorway. Seeing that Raina was just staring at her and smiling without a word, Hazel paid her no mind and walked straight out. But just as she reached the hall, Raina suddenly spoke.
"Hazel," Raina said, "if Aiden knew you hurt me, do you think he’d make you answer for it in front of all these people?"
At the sound of her voice, Hazel stopped and turned back to face Raina. She answered her question with a firm "yes." "Of course he would. You’re the apple of his eye, after all. If I hurt you, Aiden would probably try to kill me."
The words had barely left her lips when Raina strode past Hazel. They were in a less crowded area, where no one was paying attention. Raina seized the opportunity, pulling over a nearby table and sending all the glasses on it crashing down...
The CRASH and SHATTER of breaking glass drew everyone’s attention.
Hazel stared at Raina’s little performance, stunned for a second. Then, with lightning speed, she yanked Raina back away from the toppling table. Instead, Hazel let herself fall to the ground. The broken glass on the floor bit deep into her bare arms. In an instant, both of her arms were covered in blood.
*****
