Chapter 80 Hoarding

When a few folks walked in, the hall was already packed.

Even though today was just a high school reunion, a ton of people showed up.

Crystal City High School was the top school in the city, so its students were either super smart or came from rich families.

So, most of the grads from Crystal City High School were now part of the city's elite.

Everyone usually had some professional overlap, so today's gathering was both a way to reconnect and to network for future convenience at work.

The place was buzzing with people, laughter, and clinking glasses. It felt more like a fancy party than a regular class reunion.

As soon as Aurora and Anna walked in, all eyes were on them.

That viral video was still a hot topic online, and everyone was curious about what was really going on between Anna and Charles.

The video made it look like Charles didn't want the divorce.

Anna hated how everyone was staring at her. She was about to sit on a nearby sofa when she heard a sweet voice behind her. "Anna, you're here early?"

Thalia, holding Michael's arm, looked all delicate and had a gentle smile on her face.

As they got closer, Thalia pretended to look around before asking Anna again, "Why'd you come alone? The invite said you could bring a plus-one. Everyone else is here with someone, but you're all alone. How lonely!"

Not giving Anna a chance to respond, Thalia kept going, furrowing her brows like she was thinking hard, then lowering her voice as if she was giving Anna some friendly advice. "You should've brought Charles. You two are married, after all. Everyone else brought their partners, but Charles didn't come. People might think you two aren't getting along."

Before Thalia could finish, a mocking voice cut in. "Whether they are getting along is their business. Who do you think you are to meddle so much?"

Aurora jumped in and pointed to herself. "And are you sure you saw Anna come alone? I'm standing right here. Are you blind?"

Thalia bit her lip. She tugged on Michael's arm and said to him, all hurt, "Michael, I was just concerned about Anna. Did she have to snap at me like that?"

Anna sneered.

Thalia's behavior was as annoying as ever.

"Snap at you?" Anna smirked sarcastically.

Thalia bit her lip, looking at Anna with a pitiful expression.

Her face showed a hint of sadness.

She said, "I was just concerned about you. Even though Charles hasn't been in any rumors recently, he's had a lot of them over the years. I was just worried about your happiness."

"I appreciate your concern," Anna said coolly, glancing at Thalia, who seemed eager to cling to Michael. "But I don't need it. You should worry about your future."

As she spoke, Anna's eyes flicked over to Michael standing next to Thalia.

She locked eyes with Michael's cold, unreadable gaze. "Announcing an engagement and actually getting married are two very different things. You should focus more on your own man so you don't end up with nothing."

Thalia could clearly hear the sarcasm dripping from Anna's words.

Just as she was about to snap back, Michael cut in coldly, "I love Thalia. In our relationship, she doesn't need to take the initiative. I'll give her enough security and romance. Instead of worrying about us, Anna, you should worry about yourself."

Anna's fingers tightened slightly.

But Michael wasn't done. "As far as I know, Charles has never taken you to any of his social circles. If he really loved you, he would introduce you to all his friends, not keep you hidden away."

"Anna, when you come back with me, I'll introduce you to all my friends so they all know that you are the one I love the most. Of course, compared to letting you appear in front of everyone, I often wish I could keep you hidden away. Hidden in a place only I can see, so you can only see me day and night." Before coming back to the Crystal City, Michael had made many promises to Anna, and for some reason, they suddenly came to mind at this moment.

She suddenly realized how good Michael was at pretending.

He once vowed to love her forever and made innumerable pledges to her. He stated a lifetime was too short, so he wanted her in every life that followed. He kept saying that they could only ever love each other.

This trip back to the Crystal City had made Anna see Michael's true colors.

All the past promises were nothing but lies.

For a moment, Anna even wanted to ask him, ''How did you manage to call or message me almost every day for eight years without ever telling the truth?''

Anna's eyes filled with sarcasm.

All those past vows were like shattered bubbles, bursting one by one, then disappearing into memories, never to exist again.

Anna sat on a sofa by the window, looking at the scenery outside. She held a glass of red wine, which she didn't drink, just occasionally swirling it.

Aurora noticed her low spirits and sat down next to her on the sofa to keep her company.

Not far away, a large group of people surrounded Michael and Thalia, flattering them.

Listening to the classmates' compliments about Michael and Thalia's relationship, Aurora began to regret it.

If she had known Michael would come, she wouldn't have insisted on Anna coming.

Although Anna never mentioned Michael, he was a significant part of her youth, and forgetting him was easier said than done.

Every time Michael appeared in front of Anna now, it was a silent pain for her.

Especially with Thalia stirring things up.

The more Aurora thought about it, the more she regretted it. She leaned closer to Anna and suggested, "Anna, why don't we leave?"