The entire hall of the Heath family estate was filled with dignitaries; important guests who could only be seen in occasions that were done by the number ones of the top people in the City.There were businessmen and women, politicians, CEOs and Managers of top-tier companies, high-class men and women, and including guests who had flown overseas just to attend the birthday anniversary party of the youngest billionaire in Silverlake City.“Who are all these people?” Stephen muttered, looking down at the large hall with wide eyes.From the angle where he was standing, he could see everyone, and most of the faces that he could see were unfamiliar; at least sixty percent of them.He sighed heavily, and holding firmly to the champagne flute, he took a sip, his eyes still scanning through the guests.The sound of classical music reverberating from the middle of the hall almost sounded unimpressive to him, his mind refusing to align with the mood that almost everyone in the hall was feeling.

“I asked if you are okay…” Stephen retorted, looking the lady in the eyes.“I am fine. Thank you for asking…” Lara gave a rapid response, but her slippery voice said otherwise.Stephen observed her for a while, and each time he tried to look her in the eyes, he noticed that she looked away, pretending to be looking at something that was on the floor.Stephen sighed heavily, and just when he was about to ask the question that came into his mind, Lara broke the silence.“Happy Birthday anniversary, Stephen…” She tried to make her voice as audible as possible and, reaching for her purse, took out a jewelry box.“I got something for you…” She said calmly, opening the box and taking out the silver bracelet.“It doesn’t cost much, but I think it’s nice. I hope you like it…” She explained, presenting the bracelet to Stephen while the cross pendant dangled in the air.“It’s the thought that counts…” Stephen said with a smile, and grabbing the bracelet from her, he wore it around his wrist, di

“Who told you that you had the right to present him with a gift, and a cheap one at that?”“She has just told everyone how shameless she is…” Claire added, and almost at the same time as her sister, she rolled her eyes at Lara, contempt burning in their eyes.“I wonder who let her into this place…” She continued, looking at Lara’s outfit with so much hatred in her eyes.“She looks like she just got up from sleep and was forced to put on that dress. I am sure it is as cheap as the present she could afford to get for someone like Mr. Heath…” She burst out laughing, and of course, Emily was not left out.They both turned to each other, making compliance gestures with each other.Lara struggled to remain silent, but with what was at stake, silence was the last thing that she had in mind.“Do you have any problem with me wishing Mr. Heath a happy birthday celebration?” She asked, moving her eyes from one sister to the other.“No…” Emily retorted almost immediately, and as soon as her expre

Lara stared at him for a while, and even though she didn’t seem prepared, the look on her face suggested that she was about to force herself to speak.She took a deep breath, looking away for a few seconds before she eventually regained her momentum.“Emily and I were classmates in college. We both attended the same school…” She related, causing Stephen to scoff.“I see…” He took a deep breath, and then he went silent, paying attention while he waited for the lady to continue the interesting narration.“Emily thinks that I stole her boyfriend from her back then, but I never did…” Lara sighed heavily, and after she had failed to read the meaning of the look on Stephen’s face, she continued.“She has hated me since then, and no matter what I have done, she never wanted to hear me out…” She sighed heavily, turning toward the direction they had left the sisters.“To make matters worse…” Lara returned her gaze to Stephen and waited just to be certain that he was paying attention.“We have

“Yes, Lara…” Stephen gave a very quick response, looking her in the eyes with his smile intact.“I just wanted somewhere quiet where both of us can sit alone and talk….” He paused for a while, looking the lady in the face.“I hope you have no problem with that…” He gave Lara an inquisitive stare, but it took a while before she could give him a response.“No…” Lara smiled genuinely this time, and then she turned to look at the lake, exhaling sharply.Without being asked to do so, she started walking slowly toward the lake, eyes on the wooden bridge in front of her.Stephen joined her after a while, and it was very easy for him to catch up with her since she wasn’t moving so fast.He grabbed her by the hand, and soon, they were already seated on the bridge, their legs dangling in the air.Lara sighed heavily after a while, and looking at the water, she could see the blurry reflection of herself.She took a deep breath, and then she turned to Stephen, the demand for a response in her eye