Ivana Monroe smiled without explanation.
"I’m sorry, I apologize for my previous actions." The woman referred to the water incident, and after speaking, she tossed her wavy hair and walked out of the bathroom.
Ivana was a bit surprised, not expecting that the woman’s splashing was intentional, and even less expecting her to apologize on her own.
Actually, if the woman hadn’t apologized, she would have thought it was unintentional.
Ivana walked out of the bathroom and on the way back to the dining table, she saw Leon Keane again.
He stood side by side with Kiki Jennings, back towards her, very close with their arms intimately pressed together. Leon Keane, towering at nearly 190 cm, while Kiki’s head didn’t even reach his shoulder.
Ivana looked at them and thought of a popular modern saying: the cutest height difference.
Someone lit the candles on Kiki’s birthday cake, and the birthday song began. Ivana seemed to hear Leon’s deep, melodious voice mixed in with the birthday song. Ivana was surprised, never expecting a man like Leon would sing in public.
Ivana self-mockingly curled her lips, withdrew her gaze, and turned to leave.
Ivana returned to her seat. Half of the ordered Western meal had already been served. Silas Joyce held a bottle of Lafite, smiling at Ivana.
"I took the liberty of ordering a bottle of red wine, just a little for you, to celebrate our success today."
With Ivana’s agreement, Silas got up and gentlemanly poured wine for her. The dark red liquid flowed into the transparent goblet, releasing a rich aroma of grape wine.
When Silas said a little, he indeed poured only one-fifth of the goblet.
Ivana felt it wasn’t enough for her to drink.
Silas poured a third for himself, set down the Lafite, and pinched the goblet to toast Ivana, who had already tilted her head back to drink it all.
"This wine tastes nice, give me some more."
Ivana held the empty glass, reaching towards him.
Silas added another one-fifth for Ivana, this time she snatched the wine away.
"Silas, you’re too stingy, only pouring me this much? Are you trying to save money for me? No need, you helped me win the lawsuit today, already saving me a fortune, what is the cost of this bottle of grape wine anyway?"
Ivana filled her glass, took the wine bottle, and checked the brand and vintage.
Seeing it, she was a bit dumbfounded.
This is too expensive...
Ivana couldn’t go back on her bold words now, she pretended nonchalantly, "Isn’t it just a bottle of ’82 Lafite? Waiter, bring me two more bottles."
Silas saw Ivana acting so abnormal, he frowned, what happened during her trip to the bathroom?
The waiter came: "Miss, would you like to add two more bottles..."
Silas interrupted the waiter, "No need, we can’t drink that much wine, thanks."
Ivana said, "Who says we can’t drink it? It’s particularly tasty, I want two more bottles, Silas, really, don’t be so reserved with me."
The waiter didn’t know whom to listen to: "So..."
Silas waved at the waiter and stopped Ivana, "Finish it and then order more, okay? I really won’t be reserved with you, but waste is shameful!"
The waiter maintained a smile, "This gentleman is right, miss, finish your drink, call me, and I will immediately bring the Lafite to you."
The waiter politely stepped aside.
Leon waited for Kiki to blow out the candles, eager to leave, "You have fun, I have other things to do, I’m leaving first."
"Ah? Mr. Kane, are you leaving already? It’s lunchtime now, why not have lunch with us first?"
"Yes! Eat lunch and cake before you go!" ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ NovєlFіre.net
The two who spoke were Kiki’s classmates.
Leon was straightforward and clear, his refusal was obvious. After speaking, he turned and left.
The two female classmates looked at Kiki with some grievance, such a handsome guy was leaving, why wouldn’t Kiki act cute to persuade him to stay? He is Kiki’s Leon, if Kiki asked him to stay, he surely would have.
"Kiki, why didn’t you try to keep him?"
"Yeah! Today is your birthday! Wouldn’t it be more meaningful if Leon was with you?"
Of course, Kiki wanted to ask him to stay, but was Leon someone she could keep?
Kiki knew she couldn’t make him stay, so she remained silent; she didn’t want to lose face in front of her two classmates.
"My real birthday was celebrated aboard, Leon traveled from Ravenswood by plane to be with me. This time being with you doesn’t count as a true birthday, how can I waste brother Leon’s precious time? I’m not that kind of unreasonable princess."
Kiki told them proudly, anyway, even if she was lying, they wouldn’t know. Would they ask Leon if he had gone abroad to celebrate her birthday?
There’s no such possibility.
The two female classmates looked on with envy.
"No wonder Kiki didn’t persuade him, turns out the most romantic birthday was spent with Leon abroad."
"So jealous! Kiki, seriously, celebrating abroad and not inviting us, are we even your good friends?"
"Alright, alright, it was my mistake, I thought of coming back to be with you, so I didn’t invite you abroad. Next time, no matter where I celebrate my birthday, I will definitely invite all of you over."
The two female classmates’ eyes lit up, "That’s a promise!"
Seeing Kiki nod, they were extremely happy, each with their own thoughts.
Kiki had been talking about Leon for years, they both wanted to see Leon in person, but Kiki never brought them to meet him, keeping Leon hidden all along.
Upon seeing Leon in person, he was indeed more handsome and extraordinary than on TV. He was also the CEO of Kane Group in Ravenswood, causing the two female classmates’ hearts to flutter wildly for Leon.
Besides Kiki, they had no other way to interact with Leon again, so they wanted to dress up well at Kiki’s next birthday party to attract Leon’s attention.
Kiki was aware of their schemes, but she just agreed on the surface; did they think they could catch her Leon with their tricks? Not a chance.
Leon almost searched the entire restaurant, finally finding Ivana.
She held a full glass of wine, her cheeks flushed, beaming as she toasted with Silas.
Leon’s pupils suddenly narrowed, he swiftly ran over, grabbed Ivana’s hand, and snatched the wine from her, his dark eyes sharply stared at Silas.
"Are you trying to get my woman drunk? Silas, what are you up to?"
Silas was startled by Leon’s sudden appearance.
"I wasn’t thinking that, nor did I do that," Silas frowned. He had been advising Ivana to drink less, if he had any intention, it was solely for Ivana’s well-being.
"Ha... What’s this then?" Leon raised the wine in his hand, sneering, "The fact is right before your eyes, do you still want to argue?"