Chapter 130

I propped my chin on my hand, bored, and looked at Jim. “Am I not allowed to be here?”

Jim gave a faint laugh. “You’ve been married to Jonathan for five years and never once showed up at an event like this, especially when Alicia was around. Back then, you couldn’t wait to keep Jonathan away from her.”

“Really?” I lazily nodded. “Guess I used to be pretty cold, huh?”

Jim frowned, staring for a long while before saying, “Jonathan already knows about your suicide attempt.”

“Mm.” I didn’t react.

Frederick frowned, but remained silent.

Jim likely thought I was stubborn, shaking his head. He looked at our seats. “Why are you two sitting together?”

“Why not?” I shifted more comfortably.

“Alicia is sitting with Jonathan. Who do you think arranged that? It couldn’t be more obvious.”

Jim’s face darkened. He must have noticed Jonathan and Alicia sitting closely together. I bet that was a real eyesore for him.

Watching his expression, I chuckled. “I’m really curious about how you managed to stay so calm seeing Jonathan and Alicia getting this close.”

“None of your business,” Jim shot me a cold glare. “Worry about yourself.”

He then sat down, not far from us.

The Zimmer family elders arrived. Alicia’s parents were all smiles; most of Harthville’s heavyweights were present. It was a significant display of respect and prestige for their family. Even the Guzman family, who had previously clashed with them, attended. The Chamber of Commerce chairman and Harthville’s richest man celebrated Alicia’s birthday. From any perspective, it was a resounding success for them.

Just then, the doors opened. Jonathan and Alicia appeared, she clinging to his arm in a white evening gown that matched his outfit, her face glowing with satisfaction. They entered together, and I heard whispers around us. Their eyes quickly turned toward me.

I ignored them until Alicia stopped before us and spotted me. Her expression instantly changed. “Elise, what are you doing here?”

Chapter 130 2/2

I didn’t respond, but couldn’t avoid Jonathan’s gaze. He’d noticed me the moment they entered, his sharp eyes fixed on me as if trying to see through me. I knew why; I had arrived at the Zimmer residence unannounced.

I turned from his stare to meet Alicia’s scrutinizing gaze. “Jonathan told me to come, so I came. Happy birthday!”

Her eyes fell on my dress, and she tightened her grip on Jonathan’s arm, clearly irritated. She seemed to want to speak but remained silent, her displeasure evident. Our dresses, though different in style, were both white. It would be easy for others to mistake them as identical. And, let’s be honest, I looked better in mine—which was why she was grinding her teeth.

But she quickly composed herself, took a deep breath, and forced a smile. “Jonathan, why didn’t you tell me Elise was coming? If I’d known, I wouldn’t have arranged for us to sit together…”