Chapter 6 My Girlfriend
Why is he here?
Is he feeling unwell?
Even though they had broken up, Elaine still subconsciously cared about Wesley.
But the thought that she had no right to care about Wesley anymore gradually dimmed Elaine's eyes.
Just as she hesitated whether to approach, a graceful figure rushed into Wesley's arms, sweetly saying, "Wesley, thank you for accompanying me to visit my friend."
Only then did Wesley retract his gaze, gently patting Hannah's head, and led her away.
Elaine suddenly lowered her head, unable to bear witnessing the affectionate scene between the two.
Her heartache was uncontrollable once again.
Suppressing her tears, Elaine hastily swallowed a pill and wandered aimlessly towards the exit on the other side.
Before her mood could settle, the sound of a text message suddenly rang out.
It was from Randall.
"There's a banquet tonight, and I need a female companion. Someone will come to pick you up."
The tone left no room for refusal, furrowing Elaine's brow.
She didn't want to go, but she knew she had no right to refuse.
If she angered Randall, she would be fine, but what about Katrina...
Elaine could only agree.
In the evening, Randall sent his assistant to pick her up and took her directly to a high-end studio. Several stylists and makeup artists swarmed around her for a makeover.
Her originally smooth straight hair was curled into large French waves, her pure and clean face was adorned with exquisite and bright makeup, transforming her from a delicate beauty to a stunning enchantress.
A low-cut red velvet evening gown accentuated her seductive charm, coupled with the priceless pearl necklace around her neck, making her look like a noble lady, exuding an aura of luxury.
Elaine stared blankly at her reflection in the mirror, feeling somewhat lost.
She looked beautiful, but it didn't feel like herself.
After the makeover was complete, the assistant escorted Elaine to a private villa.
Upon entering the villa, she was greeted by a luxurious hall adorned with a large crystal chandelier hanging from the domed ceiling, illuminating the entire villa. The guests coming and going were all prominent figures from the political and business circles, mingling in groups, engaging in conversations over drinks.
Elaine was about to search for Randall's figure when a broad hand suddenly wrapped around her waist, pulling her into an embrace.
Randall hugged Elaine, affectionately saying, "You look beautiful tonight."
Elaine exclaimed softly and tried to avoid his touch by placing her hand on Randall's chest. "Master Marks, this isn't a bar. It's not appropriate to behave like this."
Randall then let go of her, shrugging indifferently. "You look so beautiful tonight. I couldn't help myself. You don't mind, do you?"
"How could I?" Elaine forced a polite smile.
"Come, accompany me to meet Alex over there," Randall said, extending his arm.
Elaine could only obediently link her arm with his, maintaining an elegant posture as they walked towards a man surrounded by other guests not far away.
However, when she saw the man's face clearly, Elaine froze in place.
Alex... It was actually Alex.
A flood of painful memories rushed in, causing Elaine's chest to ache.
She subconsciously took a step back, wanting to escape.
"What's wrong?" Sensing something amiss, Randall furrowed his brow slightly. "Don't embarrass me, or else you'll regret it."
Elaine could only force herself to suppress her palpitations and continue linking arms with Randall, approaching Alex.
When Alex's gaze met Elaine's, he also froze for a moment.
Furrowing his brow slightly, he seemed to recall something unpleasant.
"Alex, long time no see," Randall raised his glass and nodded to Alex in greeting.
Alex quickly averted his gaze and turned to Randall, smiling as he raised his glass. "It's an honor for Mr. Marks to attend the banquet. I feel greatly honored."
Elaine was too preoccupied to listen to their polite exchange. She just wanted to find an excuse to leave as soon as possible.
Every second she stayed here, her chest hurt more.
That memory was just too painful, causing her entire being to scream for escape as soon as she saw Alex.
Just as Elaine was lost in her thoughts, Alex suddenly changed the subject, looking at her and smiling, "And who is this? Won't Mr. Marks introduce her?"
"This is my companion Elaine," Randall affectionately pinched Elaine's cheek, "also my girlfriend."
'Girlfriend,' Elaine blinked in surprise.
Before she could react, she heard Wesley's voice in her ear, cold and somewhat mocking, "Your girlfriend?"
Elaine stiffened, instinctively wanting to shake off Randall.
But Randall held onto Elaine tightly, smiling at Wesley, trying to please him. "Yes, Mr. Wesley, indeed. Speaking of which, she even resembles your girlfriend, Miss Hannah."
Upon hearing this, Wesley chuckled disdainfully, looking Elaine up and down, "Tasteless and vulgar."
The words pierced Elaine's heart like a knife, causing her to gasp for breath.
Five years of companionship, and all she got was 'tasteless and vulgar.'
"That's an understatement," Randall quickly agreed, "She's just a small employee in your company, nothing compared to Miss Hannah, who is one of the top socialites in town. How can she compare?"
Elaine forced a bitter smile.
Indeed, how could she compare to the noble Miss Hannah?
She had both family background and beauty, education and childhood friendship with Wesley, while she was just a substitute picked up by Wesley five years ago.
Elaine bit her lip tightly, saying nothing.
"This is an incorrect statement." Suddenly, Alex smiled and said, "Miss Elaine, I see you as fresh and refined. Although you may not match Miss Hannah, you are certainly not tasteless and vulgar."
Elaine looked up at Alex in surprise, not expecting him to speak up for her.
Wesley did not respond to Alex's words. Instead, he looked at Elaine with a cold gaze, "Miss Elaine, can you drink?"
Before Elaine could answer, Randall nodded repeatedly, "Yes, yes."
He was afraid that any slip-up would upset Wesley.
"Very well." Wesley instructed the attendant to pour a glass of wine and handed it to Elaine. "Drink, make me happy, and maybe I'll consider letting Randall have a share of the land in the northern suburbs."
Randall was overjoyed and urged Elaine to take the glass of wine quickly.
However, Elaine just stared at Wesley in disbelief.
She couldn't imagine Wesley forcing her to drink...
She remembered once, after she drank too much at a colleague's farewell party, she broke out in a rash. Although it wasn't serious and would disappear by the next day, Wesley wasn't pleased when he found out.
It was only after she repeatedly promised not to drink again that Wesley would talk to her.
That was a rare show of concern from Wesley, so she had always remembered it.
She never expected things to change so drastically.
Elaine's eyes reddened, and she quickly lowered her head, biting her lip tightly to prevent herself from losing control in public.
However, Wesley didn't want to let her go. He continued to press her, "What's wrong? Don't want to drink?"