The Hidden Ace: Empire Of Ash & Gold

9

“How on earth did Silas get his hands on the Eon Diamond?” Hillary was looking at Lauren, but her daughter’s attention was fixed on Silas. 

Lauren stared at who used to be by her side, now casually handing a gift to another woman in front of her. 

“Silas, what is the meaning of this?” Lauren managed to force some words out of her mouth; she was looking at him hang the necklace on Noelle’s neck. 

Silas, surprised to hear his name being called like that, turned to look at Lauren. 

“Is anything the problem, Ms. Forrest?” He was looking at her, but instead of the soft, calm, loving gaze Lauren was used to, all she got was a distant, cold stare; it was empty and void of anything that looked like emotion. 

“What do you think you are doing now?!” She moved close to them, looking at Silas with what looked like the sound of pity. 

“I know you must think that I would take you back if you do all of this, but the only thing you are going to do is make things worse, so I would advise that—” 

“And who told you I was doing any of this to make sure that I would take you back?” Silas cut her off; he was looking at her, trying to see if he would notice what had made her say something so stupid. 

“Why in the world are you doing all this then?” Lauren kept her eyes on Silas. She didn't know what it was, but something told her that it was all for show, and he was only doing it to ensure he would get her back. 

But then Silas was looking at her as if she were a fool; it wasn't clear why she would think that he would want to do anything with her again. 

“I don't know who gave you the idea that I was ever going to think of taking you back, but I would want to let you know that nothing is going to make me even look in your direction in my life ever again!” 

Silas remained silent; he stared at Lauren, trying to understand what it was that made her even that delusional. 

“Lauren Forrest, I am even shocked that you think I am doing all this to get you back.” Silas was rubbing his forehead, looking at Lauren and her entourage. 

“You told me that I was deadweight and I was the one weighing you down, so how on earth do you want me to come back to someone who would never see me as anything but deadweight?” 

Lauren stood there, silent, looking down, trying to understand what was going on in front of her, but it was a bit too confusing for her to even fathom. 

“So what are you saying?” 

“Get it out of your mind that I would ever want anything to do with you or your family. I am no longer a part of it, and I never will be again.” 

Silas made himself loud and clear. Looking at Lauren, he could see the pain in her eyes and the way she had been trying to avoid reality. 

Silas was about to walk away, Noelle following him closely. When they were about to walk past Lauren. Noelle paused, looking at Lauren. 

“Don't worry, I will take good care of him, and I will not see him as deadweight.” Noelle giggled as she walked away, holding Silas by his hand. 

Lauren stood there, shocked… 

 She was not sure if it was the same Silas she knew; there was something about him that seemed different. 

‘He isn't the same man that I had seen for the past three years; it is almost like he changed in just one night.’ Lauren was looking at the way Noelle clung to Silas. Her heart was boiling with rage and anger; it was not what she wanted, and it was not the way she would have wanted to see him. 

“Such a lowly man, he is not going to be able to handle the heat that is going to come for him!” 

Keith came close to Lauren; it was like he had seen the opening for him to get closer to Lauren so he would be able to do something with her. 

Hillary came closer; she could see the pain in her daughter’s eyes, and it was not even hidden that she had wanted more from Silas. 

“Keith, I don't think this is going to be a good time for you to be touching her like that…”

Keith looked down, noticing that Lauren was holding in her anger at the moment. But it wasn't only anger; she was envious of the fact that Silas had found someone to replace her that fast, and it was not even a few days after they broke apart. 

‘So this is how little he rated me?’ She clenched her fists, looking at Silas. She didn't know what she was going to call the whole thing. 

‘He didn't even wait for me to get married to Jordan; he moved on and started mingling with Noelle Prince!’ 

‘Don't worry, Silas!’ She was doing a good job of holding herself back from screaming in pure rage. 

‘I will make you pay!’  

Lauren was looking at Silas; she couldn't control her thoughts or even trust herself. She turned away, looking for a spot to go and clear her head so she would be able to handle the matters coming from the other people at the party. 

Silas and Noelle walked to the other part of the party; he stood there taking a glass of wine from a passing tray. 

“You know, you didn't need to do all that, Ms. Prince.” 

He was looking at Noelle; she took a glass of wine for herself, not paying heed to what he was saying. 

“What if I tell you I meant most of what I said?” 

She was looking at Silas with a smile on her face; our handsome lad was stunned when he heard what she said. 

“You couldn't possibly mean that; after all, you were there when she called me deadweight and you saw how she wanted to throw me out of the party…” 

Silas had a charming grin on his face, looking at Noelle. 

Noelle smiled. She moved closer to Silas. Standing on her toes to match his height. 

“I will have to see for myself if you are deadweight or not; it is left for me to decide, not some lady who can't control her own emotions.” 

Noelle said before leaving a kiss on Silas’s cheek. She turned away and walked into the main event. 

Silas was surprised to hear what was on her mind. 

“Well, Mr. Silas Gray, you are quite the ladies' man.” A voice said from behind. 

Silas smiled as he was still facing front. “Well, what can I say, Mr. Austin?” 

Silas turned to look at his friend. “I am somewhat of a mystery.”