Chapter 180
Chapter 180:
The moment she settled in, Grace Fowler — a lively young woman seated beside her — leaned over and whispered with a wide grin, “Ms. Green, aren’t you dying to know who Vance has actually been crazy about? He’s completely devoted. His office is filled with wooden carvings of her, all made by his own hands. Anytime he’s in a bad mood, just seeing one of those carvings brightens him right up. Someone in the company broke one by accident once, and Vance fired them on the spot p>
“Grace, that’s enough,” Vance said, rapping his knuckles against the table in gentle warning.
Grace flashed a mischievous grin and stuck out her tongue.
The mention of the wooden carvings sparked something among the others. As people glanced around, they recognized that the figures really did capture Kristine’s likeness. Memories surfaced, and everyone began eagerly recalling little things they had noticed about Vance’s quiet devotion over the years.
Kristine stayed silent and listened as the stories spilled out. She heard how Vance always made her favorite cake for her birthday, how he rushed to buy medicine whenever she was under the weather, and how he grew more anxious than she did whenever she faced any kind of trouble.
Slowly, her vision blurred with unshed tears.
None of those gestures had ever reached her directly — yet hearing about them now allowed her to glimpse the quiet, steadfast affection Vance had carried for her all those years.
“All right, let’s change the subject,” Vance interjected, breaking up the stories. “We’re here for a farewell party, not to dissect my private life. If you came just to gossip, feel free to find the door p>
A hush fell over the table, though it did nothing to stop the subtle glances. Everyone kept sneaking looks between Kristine and Vance, curiosity still simmering beneath the surface.
Vance leaned closer while everyone else was distracted with ordering. “Don’t mind them. They love to blow things out of proportion p>
Kristine met his gaze, and something new stirred in her eyes — a mix of gratitude and uncertainty.
𝖨ո𝗌𝘁a𝘯𝘵 𝖺c𝗰𝘦𝘀𝘀 оn
Maybe Vance really did deserve a chance. After everything she had heard tonight, it was clear he was a genuinely good man. Given enough time, perhaps she could learn to love him as deeply as he loved her.
Just then, a soft knock interrupted her thoughts and drew every eye toward the door.
Puzzled glances darted around the room.
“Is there someone else we’re expecting tonight p>
“Could it just be the waiter p>
“Come on in p>
A moment later, the door eased open, and a delicate face appeared in the doorway — timid, almost apologetic.
“So this is where everyone decided to gather. That explains why I thought I spotted Sabrina downstairs a moment ago,” Elyse said with a soft smile and a light, sugary tone.
Sabrina Hall was K&C Entertainment’s brightest star.
Without waiting for a response, Elyse glanced over her shoulder at someone still standing in the corridor. “Colton, look how lively it is in here. I want to come in too. Do you mind p>
Vance had just gotten to his feet, opening his mouth to say something, but the door swung wider before he could speak. Elyse stepped confidently into the room, clinging to Colton’s arm as though she belonged there all along.