Chapter 18
Chapter 18:
Phillip and Emalee had been feeling pretty smug until a voice unexpectedly defended Ashton, criticizing them sharply.
Their anger ignited immediately. Phillip’s mouth was open, ready to hurl insults. “Who dares to mock us in such a manner p>
But his words halted abruptly when he saw Rosalie’s face. Emerging from the restaurant was a woman of towering elegance. Her long, silky hair flowed down her shoulders, shimmering in the sunlight. Her complexion was smooth and radiant, her skin almost ethereal.
Her facial features were strikingly symmetrical, resembling a work of art. Her eyes sparkled with intelligence, her nose was finely shaped, and her lips bore a natural, rosy hue. Each aspect of her face seemed to be crafted with divine precision.
Next to this woman, even Emalee, widely recognized for her beauty, seemed rather plain. This woman’s aura was one of regal sophistication, and her every gesture carried an air of inherent grace. Caught off guard, Phillip’s hold on Emalee weakened as he was captivated by Rosalie’s beauty.
With a mere glance, he felt an undeniable attraction. Emalee noticed Phillip’s distracted gaze and responded with a sharp pinch to his side.
He let out a yelp, jolted back to the present moment.
The mood shifted dramatically for Phillip and Emalee, their earlier confidence now overshadowed by embarrassment.
This stunning endorsement for Ashton was a direct blow to their pride, highlighting their previous arrogance. They were simply making a fool of themselves.
Emalee had always been indifferent toward Ashton. Despite their two-year marriage, her feelings had never deepened. However, now that she was newly divorced and saw Ashton with a woman who outshone her in beauty, it stirred an uneasy feeling within Emalee. Meanwhile, despite still embracing Emalee, Phillip couldn’t divert his gaze from Rosalie.
“Have you looked enough?” Emalee’s voice carried a sharp edge of irritation.
Find your next read at gⱯlnσν𝓮ℓs․com
Phillip hastily mustered a display of concern. “Darling, don’t fret over it. It’s clear, isn’t it? Ashton may seem innocuous, but he’s a terrible person! Think about it. You two just ended things, and he’s already parading around with someone else. It makes one wonder what he might have done had you remained together longer p>
Ashton, who typically disregarded Phillip’s comments, found his temper flaring unexpectedly.
“Quite bold of you to comment, considering it was your meddling that ended my marriage. And now you dare slander me?” Ashton retorted.
This exchange caught the attention of several onlookers familiar with their history. They soon began muttering to themselves.
“Hey, see that guy? That’s Phillip. He totally crashed Bobby’s party yesterday. He caused a scene, trying to steal someone’s wife right in the middle of everything p>
“Really? That guy? He calls himself a top-notch lawyer? There’s no way I’d hire him, not even if he paid me p>
Overhearing these comments, Phillip’s expression soured. In a fit of frustration, he shot back at Ashton.
“You think you’re going to dine here? Forget it! I’m not letting you through that door as long as I’m around p>
Rosalie couldn’t help but laugh at his outburst and asked, “Really? What are you, the owner here p>
Phillip wore a smug look. “No, but I’m a gold VIP at the Modern Restaurant. Believe me, I can have you thrown out if I want to p>
Then, he turned to Rosalie with a look of fake pity.
In his opinion, she was too stunning to be genuinely interested in Ashton. He assumed that Ashton must have lured her under false pretenses.
Trying to sound helpful, Phillip leaned in and said, “Look, just a friendly tip—Ashton was practically a leech on the James family. He can’t afford a place like this on his own. You better split before security shows up and you both get embarrassed by being kicked out together p>