Chapter 592 Banquet Turmoil
Caroline found a moment to spill the beans to Melissa about her current sitch.
Melissa grinned, "Since you ain't strapped for cash, I'll let someone else rock the Starlight concert."
Caroline shot back, "I can still jam, just don't want you stressing over me anymore."
Melissa gave Caroline a playful tap on the forehead.
"Gotcha."
The engagement bash for the Radiant Star Group heir was off the charts, packed with celebs and almost all the big shots from City B.
Nicholas got an invite too.
He wasn't planning on showing up, but since Caroline promised Melissa she'd play the violin, he felt he had to roll in as well.
Sophia showed up with Colin, repping the Blackwoods.
And where Sophia went, Gabriel wasn't far behind.
But, surprise surprise, Jake was there too.
Jake spotted Sophia and strolled over, grinning.
"Sophia."
Sophia spun around, surprised. "You're here too?"
"Yeah, I know today's groom from Country M."
Sophia gave a gentle smile.
"Jake," Gavin Rodriguez, the Radiant Star Group heir, called out to him.
Jake said, "Gotta bounce, but I'll catch you later."
"Cool."
As Jake left, Colin sidled up next to Sophia.
"Sophia, what's the deal with you and Jake?"
Sophia tilted her head, thinking Colin was curious about her and Jake's relationship.
"We're tight. He's younger, like a little bro. He's saved my bacon a few times, and he's helped the kids too."
Colin, being a shrink, had a gut feeling Jake was hiding something. There was more to him than met the eye.
But right now, he didn't sense any bad vibes from Jake towards Sophia. If anything, Jake seemed to have a different kind of interest.
Jake's look was kinda like how Gabriel looked at Sophia.
It was the first time Colin and Sophia hit up a high-society shindig repping the Blackwoods, so most folks didn't know them, and only a few came over to chat.
Until someone introduced Sophia and Colin as Blackwoods, then people started to flock over.
Sophia wasn't big on socializing, but she had to suck it up and mingle with Colin for the Blackwoods.
Sophia was surprised; she thought she saw Caroline.
Nicholas was there too.
Sophia smiled, tugged Colin, and whispered, "My bestie's over there, I'm gonna go say hi."
Colin nodded, "Sure, go ahead."
Sophia excused herself and made her way to Caroline.
Nicholas had this vibe that kept people away, and with Sharpe blocking anyone who tried, no one bugged them.
So, Nicholas could chill by Caroline's side.
"Caroline," Sophia tapped Caroline's shoulder from behind.
Caroline turned around, saw Sophia, and gave her a big hug.
They hadn't seen each other in a hot minute 'cause they were both swamped.
"What are you doing here?" Caroline asked, surprised.
"I came with Colin."
Caroline teased, "Look at you, all fancy now. Don't forget about me."
Sophia laughed, "I won't. I'll treat you to a big feast tomorrow."
"Deal."
Nicholas watched, feeling a bit jealous; he wanted a hug from Caroline too!
Sophia shot Caroline a teasing look and whispered, "So, are you here as his date or what?"
Caroline smirked, "Nah, I'm just here to play the violin."
Sophia grinned, "Guess I get to enjoy Miss Clark's performance then."
Caroline rolled her eyes playfully.
In the banquet hall, glasses clinked, and Ben watched Caroline and Nicholas from afar, a flicker of pain in his eyes.
He had pieced together the rumors about Nicholas and Caroline from the internet.
Suddenly, someone patted his shoulder. Ben turned to see his father, Marshall Doolittle. He quickly looked away from Caroline.
Marshall snorted, "You’re all under her spell. I heard Nicholas even fell out with his family over Caroline, and humiliated Daisy from the Wolfs in public."
"Listen, a woman like her can never be your wife. And with Nicholas in the picture, you’ll be lucky to get a second glance. Use this chance to find a suitable wife."
Ben was pissed at his dad for trash-talking Caroline, but he didn’t dare to argue, so he kept quiet.
Just then, Ben's sister Lucy stormed past him, heading straight for Caroline.
She was holding a wine glass, and before anyone knew it, she yanked Caroline and dumped the wine all over her.
It happened so fast, everyone was caught off guard.
"What the hell are you doing!" Sophia yanked Lucy away.
Lucy was fuming.
"Caroline, you’re a slut. If I’d known you were this cheap, I wouldn’t have let you near Ben."
Caroline frowned, red wine dripping from her face onto her white dress, blooming like flowers.
"You’re seducing Ben while messing around with Mr. Watson. How can a woman like you have the nerve to show up at Mr. Rodriguez’s engagement party?"
The crowd gathered, eyes glued to the drama.
Gabriel saw Sophia in the mix and quickly ran down from the second floor, leaving everyone behind.
Caroline wiped her face with her hand, her makeup probably ruined.
"Lucy!" Ben stormed over, grabbing Lucy’s hand, "What the hell are you doing!"
"Ben, she’s playing you. This woman’s got a bag full of tricks. She doesn’t care about you." Lucy shouted.
Her eyes darted towards Nicholas.
Lucy thought, 'Why does Caroline get Nicholas’s attention, making him blow off everyone tonight just to stay by her side?'
She was the Doolittle daughter, and she had tried so hard to get close to Nicholas, but he wouldn’t even look her way.
Lucy felt a deep sense of resentment.
Ben, furious with Lucy, raised his hand to slap her.
He was into Caroline, but knew better than to make a scene. He figured she only saw him as a friend anyway, and that was cool.
He couldn’t believe Lucy would out him like this and even pour wine on Caroline!
"Stop!" Marshall stepped in, pushing Ben away, and said disappointedly, "Are you seriously gonna hit your sister in front of everyone? Even if she’s wrong, you can deal with it later."
Ben groaned, "Dad."
"Lucy, right?" Sophia cut in.
Noticing Caroline’s dress becoming a bit see-through from the wine, she pulled Caroline behind her, shielding her completely.
Sophia glared at them coldly.
"You better apologize to my friend, or else..."
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
