Chapter 151 The Birthday Banquet Has Arrived
Nicole had been working like crazy to get ready for the birthday party.
She was full of energy, no longer stuck in bed and complaining. She was so busy with the venue, clothes, and makeup that it seemed like she was planning a wedding.
Edward, on the other hand, didn't seem to care much. Once he saw she was getting better, he stopped visiting her in the hospital.
Naturally, Nicole was annoyed, but the party was her priority.
The night before the party, Nicole was in her room trying on a dress she borrowed from Betty.
She had a slim figure, but the dress was too loose in the chest. Her small frame couldn’t fill it out, and the maids were struggling to make it fit.
“You idiots! How does the Adams family put up with you?” Nicole snapped, pushing the maids aside in frustration.
“Maybe we should call a tailor or use some pins,” one maid suggested nervously.
Nicole was sweating with frustration but didn’t dare admit she was scared of damaging the dress.
This dress was super expensive, and she signed an agreement. If it got dirty, damaged, or altered, she would owe Betty five times its value. No way she was letting Betty, who was in cahoots with Evelyn, make a dime off her!
“Get me some tape, now! Hurry!”
The maids quickly brought tape and used it to secure the dress at the chest. When Nicole put it on again, it stayed in place.
“You’re so smart! This really works!” the maids praised.
Nicole sighed in relief, looking pleased.
Just then, there was a knock on the door. Karen walked in, looking tense and worn out.
“Karen!” Nicole’s heart tightened. She quickly told the maids, “You can leave now.”
The maids left, and Karen locked the door behind them.
“Karen, how did it go?” Nicole asked anxiously, holding up her dress as she approached.
“It’s done.” Karen grabbed Nicole’s hand, her palm cold.
“Karen, I owe you this..” Nicole gripped Karen’s hand tightly, her expression dark. “I won’t forget your kindness.”
“Nicole, what are you talking about? You’re my daughter. If I don’t stand by you, who will?”
Karen’s face was pale, her eyes filled with determination. “You’ve finally reconciled with Edward, and Patrick supports your marriage. We can’t let anything go wrong now! I won’t let anyone or anything stop you from marrying into a wealthy family!”
The next day, as night fell, the birthday party finally kicked off.
The Adams family had booked the largest banquet hall at the Wellington family hotel, showing off their close ties.
Tiffany had invited many big names from Mugden and even nationwide, under Patrick’s name. The event was so grand it felt like she was getting remarried.
In the luxurious banquet hall, the music was smooth, and the guests were dressed to the nines.
These wealthy and influential people from Mugden were there to honor Patrick.
Although Tiffany had been taken away by the prosecution before, it was eventually “proved” that Rodolfo was to blame. Now, she was back to her old self, elegantly dressed, linked with Patrick’s arm, and mingling with the guests.
“Congratulations!”
"Today is Nicole's birthday party. You should be congratulating her," Tiffany said, looking radiant and in a good mood.
"Ms. Adams is Edward's fiancée. Their wedding seems imminent, so we should congratulate both of you. The Wellington family is about to welcome a new member!"
"Thank you!"
Meanwhile, Debra was chatting and laughing with a few familiar socialites.
"Congratulations, Debra," one of the socialites said with a smile.
Another socialite teased, "Ms. Adams is Mrs. Wellington's niece, so it's all in the family. You must get along well, right?"
Debra forced a smile. 'Get along? Definitely not!'
"I heard that Ms. Adams and Edward were childhood sweethearts and overcame many obstacles to finally be together. Edward and Evelyn just got divorced, and now he's marrying her. They must truly be in love. Debra, when are you going to get a boyfriend?"
Hearing this, Debra eagerly scanned the room, looking for Eric.
At that moment, Eric was in the luxurious presidential suite with Edward, both dressed in suits, sitting by the large floor-to-ceiling window, with the sparkling night view of Mugden before them.
Eric was wearing a custom white suit with a black shirt, a gold rose pendant choker around his long neck, looking both noble and sexy.
Edward, on the other hand, was dressed entirely in black, with a black shirt and black tie. The only highlight was a gold-patterned tie pin at his collar, showcasing his impeccable taste and the commanding aura of a leader.
Eric felt uneasy with Edward's all-black attire and couldn't help but quip, "Dressed like this, people might think you're here for a funeral instead of a birthday party."
Edward's sharp brows furrowed, and he retorted, "Nonsense."
"I've realized that God is indeed fair, giving you a ridiculously handsome face but pairing it with a ridiculously foul mouth."
Eric laughed and cursed, then suddenly noticed Edward's tie pin. "Hey, that little thing on your collar is pretty unique. Lend it to me sometime, okay?"
Edward's eyes flickered, and he refused with a stern face, "Get away."
"We used to share underwear, and now you can't even lend me a tie pin for a couple of days? How did you get so stingy as you got older?" Eric said.
At that moment, Bart hurried over.
"Edward, Ms. Adams just sent someone to remind you that the birthday speech is about to start. She asked you to join her in the banquet hall to give a speech together."
"I'm not going." Edward's eyes were cold as he refused.
"Alright! I'll go tell her right away! You're not going!" Bart's eyebrows twitched with joy. He loved seeing Edward make Nicole suffer. It gave him a strange sense of satisfaction.
"Nicole just had a relapse of depression and cut her wrists. She's only been better for a few days, and now you're provoking her again. Aren't you afraid she'll cut her wrists in front of you next time?" Eric teased, squinting at him.
"I can't share the stage with her tonight," Edward said, his eyes deep and his voice emotionless.
"Why? Aren't you her boyfriend?" Eric asked.
"I've decided to break up with her," Edward said.
Eric was puzzled.
Bart was shocked, almost shouting in excitement!
"The reason I haven't told her yet is to consider her condition." Edward lowered his long lashes, his voice steady. "I'll tell her when she's stable. I want to minimize the hurt. After all, she saved my life. She's my benefactor."
Eric blinked, as if he had figured out something significant, suddenly leaning his handsome face close to Edward's.
"Edward, be honest with me. Is there even a tiny part of you breaking up with Nicole because you've developed feelings for Evelyn? Is there?"
Edward's heart ached, as if his breath had stopped.
Then, he forced out one word: "No."
