Chapter 58: Petty Human
Vincent and the staff watched curiously as tension simmered between the two women. Evelyn sat composed, but her eyes glinted with a quiet determination. Annabelle, on the other hand, tried to maintain a gracious smile, but the nervous glint in her eyes betrayed her discomfort.
"Why do you always have to pick on her?" Vincent’s voice cut through the silence, his disapproving scowl directed at Evelyn. His role as Annabelle’s self-appointed protector had never wavered. To him, Annabelle was the innocent victim, and Evelyn—his once-fiancée—was the source of all his troubles.
Evelyn didn’t bother to acknowledge him. She slowly placed her glass down on the table and stood, a hint of nonchalance in her movements. "Fine. I’m leaving then," she said, reaching for her purse. "Since the paparazzi you’ve undoubtedly hired have already snapped my photo here, I don’t see any reason to stay."
She shot a pointed glance at Annabelle, her lips curving into a knowing smirk. Annabelle’s face paled, panic flickering in her eyes.
"I-I’ll drink it!" Annabelle stammered, her voice shaky. Before Evelyn could step away, she bit her lip and pleaded, "Please don’t leave, Evy."
Vincent turned towards her, his brow furrowing in concern. "Anna, you don’t have to—"
"It’s just a drink, Vin," Annabelle interrupted softly, placing a gentle hand over his on the table. She forced a small smile as if trying to ease the growing tension. "Let’s not make a fuss over it."
Vincent exhaled sharply, glaring at Evelyn with barely concealed disdain. Ever since she had married Zevian, her attitude had only grown more imperious, and he couldn’t wait for the day when her husband would finally see through her facade and cast her aside.
The staff quickly exchanged the glasses, their nerves palpable as they tried to avoid any further mishaps. One of them, clearly rattled, excused herself and hurried out to message Sophia, fearing she’d lose her job over this.
Evelyn watched Annabelle lift the glass to her lips, her eyes narrowing. The tension between them didn’t dissipate as Annabelle took a cautious sip, but little did Evelyn know, she had just walked into another one of Annabelle’s cleverly disguised traps.
Annabelle hid her satisfaction behind a serene smile, her eyes shifting briefly towards the water jug on the table. She took another sip of her drink and then casually leaned towards Vincent, her voice brightening with feigned cheerfulness. "The food smells amazing," she said, her tone light and pleasant.