Love and Devotion No Longer His to Claim by Dream Fish

Chapter 18

Chapter 18

"Hey, it's Angela! Long time no see. Come on in!" Zayn's attention shifted immediately from the streamer to Angela as soon as he saw her.

The others watched intently, sensing the drama. Compared to some random streamer, Angela was far more interesting.

After all, among the socialites and heiresses in Eldmere, she was the only one who had managed to marry Dexter. It was still an incredible feat, even though her marriage was far from a fairytale.

"No, thank you,” Angela replied with a polite smile. "I'm here to take Dexter home. He said he was drunk."

Her demeanor was graceful, and her tone was gentle. She had an air of elegance about her. Dressed simply and untouched by heavy makeup, she radiated a calm beauty that made her stand out among the other women present in their flashy outfits.

-Zayn glanced at Dexter, feeling perplexed. He looked perfectly sober. There wasn't any

sign of drunkenness at all.

“Since you're here, come in and have something to eat before you leave, Ms. Graham,” Elena offered warmly, standing up and attempting to lead her inside.

However, Angela subtly evaded her touch. She looked over at Dexter, who wore an expression so glum that it seemed like someone had stolen millions from him. This irked her even more.

“Come on, Angela. It's my birthday today, and the night's still young. Dexter's only had two glasses of wine at most. How about you let him enjoy himself?

“I promise I won't stop you from taking him home once he's really had enough,” Zayn pleaded, ignoring any protests and guiding her to the seat beside Dexter.

Suddenly, the room's ten or so guests turned their attention to them. It was as if they were watching monkeys at a zoo.

Elena, seated on Dexter's left, was calmly slicing a peach. She then pierced a piece with a toothpick and handed it to him.

It was a seemingly harmless gesture, but with Angela present, it took on a different tone.

Someone commented with a smirk, “Everyone knows Angela never joins us. I wonder for whose sake she came tonight."

voice laced with

Chapter 18

the insignificant Graham family to get his way. Otherwise, do you think I'd want to come here and

a smile, her

times. In the past, she had endured them for Dexter's sake, out of misguided devotion. In the end, she had only

there was no

words fell, everyone's

always prioritized Dexter, so she used to brush off even the harshest comments. But today,

said put Dexter on the spot. His expression soured considerably as he fixed an icy gaze

clueless about the impact of her words. "Didn't you say you were drunk? The car is outside. Are we

the toothpick with a slice of peach on it that had yet

no need for such talk. Dexter only wanted to introduce his wife to his friends. He's doing it

Angela's eyes

her smile still firmly in place. How could she have

replied sincerely, “Ms. Carrey, so you do know that the Bamford family name is something to be maintained? If I'm here as Dexter's wife, then what's your role here exactly?

to realize something. “Oh, this must be that kind of close friendship that people talk about,

taunting words left Elena biting her lip in embarrassment. Even her eyes reddened involuntarily at the

“Enough!” Dexter reprimanded coldly.

fury simmering

Chapter 18

down. She met his gaze boldly and said, "The car is outside. If you want to go home, come with

put her dignity on a silver platter for Dexter's friends to make fun of her for their amusement

and walked toward the door. Behind him, Elena's

they returned home,

with a

to

now. All she wanted

him.

couch. His slightly drunken state made his stare even more piercing. Still,

yourself!” His tall figure loomed over her, intense and