Chapter 220: Unwelcome Assumptions

Ellis had her own stereotypes, but they weren’t as strong as Maya’s. She made a gagging gesture. “Him chasing me? Has he lost his mind, or have you?”

Whoever might pursue her, it definitely wouldn’t be Morty. Not only did she dislike Morty, but she had also been Easton’s wife, and Morty and Easton were close childhood friends. Given that relationship, Morty chasing after her was about as likely as pigs flying—unless Morry had lost his marbles.

“I didn’t make a declarative statement!” Maya sat down beside Ellis. “Since Carly paid for it, you can sell the stuff and then treat me to a barbecue. I haven’t had a barbecue in a long time.”

“No problem.”

Ellis felt no guilt about selling the items Carly gave her. She needed money and wasn’t lacking food or clothing; converting these items into cash was the most suitable option for her.

At the Oasis Club, Tom escorted Ellis into a room, and they both lay down on the bed, waiting for the beautician’s service. The beautician adjusted the equipment while they chatted.

“It’s tough to get a break with you, Ms. Harper,” Tom joked. “Should I make an appointment next time, maybe get in line?”

“Sure, I’ll give you a special token of love and even let you cut in line,” Ellis responded jokingly.

“Haha, that’s hilarious!” Tom burst into laughter.

Ellis didn’t quite catch Tom’s humor but gave a polite laugh in response. Maybe it was because she wasn’t part of the upper crust, or because Tom had seen her “not-so-bright” side before, but her interactions with Tom were mostly businesslike. Her mindset hadn’t changed even though this outing was at Tom’s invitation.

As the beautician pulled a towel off her body, revealing a smooth back ready for an essential oil massage, Ellis decided to simply close her eyes and enjoy. Unlike usual, this type of high-membership-fee, highly private entertainment wasn’t within her usual spending range anymore, since she couldn’t afford the membership fees or justify spending thousands on casual maintenance. Thanks to Tom treating her, she could indulge this time.

After the session, Tom asked her, “Do you mind hanging out with some guys?”

Ellis was puzzled.

“I didn’t just invite you. I’ve asked a few others, and they’re about to arrive,” Tom explained.

“How many guys? Are they your…” Ellis wasn’t interested in a gathering with too many men. If too many showed up, she might leave early.

“Just two or three, to join us for dinner and singing.”

“You need two or three guys to accompany you for dinner and singing?”

“Stop, not what you’re thinking. Tom sensed Ellis’s misunderstanding and clarified that she was in a committed relationship. “I have a boyfriend.”

“I wasn’t thinking anything,” Ellis said, covering her brief assumption with a smile. She almost thought Tom was being flirty, but it turned out he was just being straightforward.

“You thought it, no big deal,” Tom, adjusting his appearance in the mirror while most of his attention stayed on Ellis’s delicate and radiant face, asked, “Why don’t you stick around and hang out with us?”

Already seated were three men and one woman. Tom introduced everyone, and Ellis greeted each person, making a mental note of who was who. She remembered everyone’s face but only really noted which one was Tom’s boyfriend.

Although they were supposed to dine and sing, the group barely touched their food and wasn’t very interested in singing. Instead, they mostly chatted about work, discussing projects worth billions, payback periods, and profit margins. Ellis had no desire to chime in; she stayed quiet, listening.

Suddenly, a man offered her a cocktail. She looked up to see a man whose pleasant face and demeanor impressed her. What his name was or what he did, she hadn’t caught. Seeing her looking bored, the man made small talk. “Ms. Harper, which family are you with?”

It seemed everyone here, except her, came from well-connected backgrounds. His question made her a bit uncomfortable, but he probably didn’t know she was Easton’s ex-wife. She wasn’t a high-profile public figure, so not everyone in the social circles would know her by name. Maybe they’d recognize her if she was referred to as the former Easton’s wife. She had started a new life and didn’t want to be associated with her unlucky past. Polite and with a slight smile, she replied, “I just work for someone, just an ordinary worker.”

Hearing that, the man gave her a knowing smile. “You’re joking, right? You’re not ordinary.” He meant she wasn’t ordinary in a certain way, but she wasn’t in the mood to engage further.