Chapter 225
Chapter 225:
Meanwhile, in the private room, Austin seemed unusually distracted. Monica, ever perceptive, noticed it immediately. Something about Austin had shifted since he’d laid eyes on that woman. Monica couldn’t help but feel a twinge of unease. Who was she?
There was no denying the woman was strikingly beautiful, yet her casual appearance stood out—jeans and a T-shirt, albeit clearly high-end, were a far cry from the polished style of high society.
How could Austin possibly be interested in someone like that? Monica wondered. She brushed off her concern with a dismissive thought—maybe she was reading too much into it.
Austin, pulling himself together, sat down and began ordering food for them. To lighten the mood, he’d also invited John, a mutual friend who had a knack for keeping conversations lively. With John, the ever-chatty life of the party, there was no chance for the atmosphere to turn awkward.
Before long, John arrived, his energy filling the room. He broke into an exaggerated grin upon spotting Monica. “Monica! When did you sneak back into town p>
Monica rolled her eyes, her voice tinged with irritation. “You’re still as loud as ever, John. I got back a few days ago p>
She couldn’t hide her slight annoyance. This was supposed to be an intimate date with Austin, not a group gathering.
Crisis
John was no stranger to Monica’s subtle schemes. In the past, he might not have even shown up if Austin had called, considering it none of his business. After all, meddling in someone else’s affairs—especially matters of the heart—was hardly the most gracious thing to do.
But things were different now. John had come to understand where Austin’s true feelings lay.
𝓥𝓮𝓻𝓲𝓯𝔂 𝓈𝓸𝓾𝓻𝓬𝓮 𝓪𝓽
To Austin, Monica was nothing more than a sister, a lingering tie from childhood, devoid of any romantic undertones. Yet Monica had clearly envisioned something else entirely. John knew that allowing this situation to fester would only lead to chaos—and chaos was the last thing Austin needed.
This time, John decided to step in.
The moment he entered the room, a barely perceptible signal from Austin was all it took for him to understand his role—rescue duty. Austin had never been particularly comfortable around women, especially in situations like this.
John turned to Monica with an easy smile, his charm effortlessly filling the conversational void. “Welcome back! Just don’t forget about us humble friends now that you’re a big success, alright p>
Monica suppressed the urge to roll her eyes. Still, her demeanor remained gracious as she feigned sincerity. “Of course, I missed both of you,” she replied with forced warmth. “I’ve been so busy abroad, training every single day. By the way, I have a solo concert coming up. You two must come and support me p>
John laughed, his tone light and teasing. “We wouldn’t miss it for the world. You can count on us p>
Austin, as usual, remained mostly quiet, letting John take the lead. Monica barely noticed; she had grown accustomed to Austin’s reserved nature over the years.
The atmosphere was pleasant enough, though Monica’s focus remained fixed on Austin. But John had other plans. He decided it was time to drop a name into the conversation.