Chapter 171 Once Is Not Enough, How About a Second Time?
Daniel nodded and pulled out his phone, scrolling through his contacts. His finger hovered over Dean's name, but after a moment, he decided against it and called Dwayne instead.
After the call, Daniel hesitated before saying, "Mr. Thomas, this whole event is Dean's doing. Elizabeth hasn't been involved at all. She's barely been at the company lately. The guest list and seating arrangements were set ages ago. Dean purposely didn't invite us."
Michael frowned.
Daniel looked down, feeling ashamed. "I'm sorry. This is on me. Dean and I have some personal beef. It's no surprise he didn't invite me."
Suddenly, a wave of anger flashed across his face as he furrowed his brows. "I can't believe Dean is holding a grudge for this long. Even if he's got issues with me, he shouldn't drag you and Matthew into it. It's too much! I'm going to confront him!"
Michael shot Matthew a look.
Matthew, catching the signal, grabbed Daniel, who was about to leave.
Michael said, "Daniel, don't lose your cool."
When he found out Elizabeth's party was going to be at the biggest banquet hall in the Celestial Garden Hotel and he didn't be invited, he felt a pang of loss and sadness.
But now, Daniel told him this had nothing to do with Elizabeth.
It was all Dean's doing.
A glimmer of hope sparked in Michael's heart.
His mood lifted.
He said to Daniel and Matthew, "You guys can go back to work. No need to stick around."
Once Daniel and Matthew left the CEO's office, Michael picked up his phone and called the Celestial Garden Hotel.
Time flew by.
On Elizabeth's birthday, as evening approached, Dean left the office early and headed to the Celestial Garden Hotel.
He walked into the banquet hall, making sure everything was set up just right. After confirming everything was good to go, he stood by the entrance, waiting for the guests to start arriving.
By 6:00 PM, people started trickling in.
Dean decided to call Elizabeth to see where she was, but she didn't pick up. He figured it was still early and maybe she was stuck in rush hour traffic. He'd try again later.
Meanwhile, over at Harmony Health Hospital, right by Aurora Bay, Elizabeth stepped out of the operating room. She headed to the outer room, took off her surgical gown, and removed her gloves. As she walked to the sink to wash her hands, a wave of dizziness hit her. She grabbed the wall to steady herself, trying not to fall. After more than ten hours of surgeries without a break, she was completely drained.
She leaned against the wall, waiting for the dizziness to pass, then forced herself to wash her hands. She left the operating room, went to the changing room, changed into her clothes, and checked her phone. She saw a missed call from Dean.
Sitting on the changing bench, she called him back. "Dean, what's up?"
Dean's voice was loud and frustrated. "What's up? Did you forget today is your birthday? We agreed to meet at the banquet hall entrance at six. I'm already here, where are you?"
Elizabeth smacked her forehead, realizing she had forgotten. "Sorry, Dean. I forgot."
Before she could say more, another call came in from an unknown number. "I'll call you back, Dean. I have another call coming in."
Dean sighed. "Alright. Don't rush. The guests aren't all here yet. Drive safely."
Elizabeth answered the unknown number. "Hello, who is this?"
"Elizabeth, I need to meet with you to discuss something important." It was Calla's voice.
Elizabeth was about to ask how she got her number but figured it must have been Susan.
She scoffed internally. From her tone, Elizabeth could picture Calla's arrogant posture on the other end of the line. She refused. "We have nothing to discuss. There's no need to meet. Are you planning to falsely accuse me again?"
Elizabeth was about to hang up when Calla suddenly shouted, "Elizabeth! The children are yours!"
Elizabeth froze, shocked. Calla sounded so certain, like she had some kind of leverage.
Elizabeth felt a headache coming on. Pretending not to understand, she asked, "What do you mean?"
Calla sneered. "I wouldn't say it if I didn't have proof! I know the two kids at your house aren't adopted! So, Elizabeth, do you want to meet and talk, or should I tell you everything over the phone? Aren't you afraid someone might be listening?"
Elizabeth's head was buzzing. Forcing herself to remain calm, she said, "Fine. Let's meet. Where?"
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