I felt like I was going berserk. I wanted to shout at him to ask him to stay away from me. His little kindness only made me want to puke, but of course, I did not do that. I still had to maintain the image of our marriage in public. Likewise, Crystal knew she could not do anything at the party, so she could only eye me irritatedly from afar.
As I looked away from Crystal, I spotted Christopher’s father. He was a slender middle-aged man who looked graceful and polite, but at the same time, gave off a deterrent vibe.
Everyone’s attention was on the man. Some even went forward to give him gifts. It was plain as day that those who attended the gathering had ulterior motives. They wanted to get on the good side of the powerful family. That was why they present rare and exorbitantly priced gifts.
I looked at the walnut cookies in my hands in remorse. Regardless, I was sure that Lyle had a gift prepared. Since the Smiths and the Lanes were not particularly close, we were not obliged to give anything expensive.
Before I knew Christopher was engaged, I was fixated on scoring some brownie points with his dad, but now that things had turned out this way, there was no point in me trying to please him anymore.
“Mr. Lane, this is a painting I drew on my own. I hope you’ll like it.” Crystal went ahead and gifted him her painting after seeing the others did so.
I stole a peek at the drawing and nodded approvingly. I had to admit that Crystal’s skills had improved by leaps and bounds after she went overseas. There was no way I could draw something as good as this.
“Wow, this is impressive. I have to say you’re a gifted painter,” Gordon exclaimed. “I’m sorry but I don’t think I got your name.”
“I’m Crystal Yates, Mr. Lane. I came to your house before, but of course, that was a long time ago. I was only ten back then,” Crystal replied with a shy smile on her face.
Gordon’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Oh! So you’re the girl who saved Chris last time. Of course, I remember you. You’re a brave girl. You’re all grown up now.”
It went without saying that Gordon was extremely pleased to meet Crystal. His remarks reminded everyone of what happened years ago.
“Ah, so she’s the girl. No wonder the Miller brothers and Mr. Smith like her so much. She even saved my son back then.”
“Yeah. She practically saved so many people.”
Everyone started complimenting Crystal. Some of them even used that incident to justify Lyle and her relationship.
Crystal looked at the crowd and faked a humble smile. “I was actually very scared too, but when I saw I was the only one who was awake, I knew I had to do something to get everyone out.”
I could clearly remember what happened that year. I was only eleven, and Crystal was ten. A group of kidnappers went to an elite school in Avenport and abducted the children of some of the wealthiest people. They refused to let the kids go unless the parents pay one billion for every child they got.
I was one of the kids who were kidnapped. After the incident, Crystal shot to fame and became a heralded heroine among the high society.
As always, I remained in her shadow, just as how it was now. I knew she was up to no good when I saw her walking toward me.
“Yvonne, didn’t you bring a gift for Mr. Lane as well? Why don’t we unwrap the present now?”
