Who's Crying Now, Ex-Husband?

Chapter 572

Conrad still ended up bringing Felicity inside.

As soon as they appeared, a ripple of unease spread through the guests. Many had come just to see if the recent rumors were true-after all, the two families supposedly locked in an ugly feud had both shown up in full force.

If things really had fallen apart between them, why would the Montgomerys come to this celebration at all?

People couldn't stop speculating: What on earth was going on between these two families?

Scattered across the lawn, guests waited for the engagement party to begin, each lost in their own thoughts. Some who were on friendly terms with Conrad tried to get a straight answer from him, but he brushed them off with a few perfunctory lines.

Clearly, he wasn't interested in talking.

"Didn't expect to find you with so much free time, Mr. Ayers." After sidestepping a handful of nosy questions, Conrad led Felicity over to greet Townsend.

He could dismiss most people easily, but the old gentleman was different-he couldn't be ignored. A greeting was the least he could offer.

Mr. Ayers and the Montgomerys were old acquaintances, so he didn't snub him. With a wry smile, he answered, "Just here to see an old friend's protégé. But you? Did you come just to stir the pot?"

After all, neither of the soon-to-be newlyweds had any love lost with the Montgomery family. Showing up here was just asking to be unwelcome.

Conrad could only shake his head inwardly.

He was definitely going to give Lysander a piece of his mind once this was over. What a disaster of an idea-he'd made a complete fool of himself today! He never should have listened to him.

Outwardly, though, Conrad kept his smile. "An old friend's protégé? Who could possibly have the pull to bring you out here?"

Townsend glanced at Forrest, who was on stage addressing the crowd with Mila at his side, and chuckled. "Tyrell, that old scoundrel. Lazing about and making me haul these old bones out here..."

Conrad was taken aback.

Forrest was Tyrell's student?

anyone would come-but this was just an engagement party for the younger generation. There was no real need for heavy hitters to show up, unless Mr.

"Has Mr. Ayers settled on that aerospace

his question was casual and

heavily on smart tech research, but they certainly dabbled and kept a close eye on strategic

were conservative in action, but

Townsend didn't seem surprised.

sidelong glance. "Why, are

practically retired. But if you're looking for investors, I can't offer technical expertise-but I can

project. The higher-ups were watching it

out

and the project succeeds, will it still be mine? Or will

a cunning bunch. Could they really be

Conrad protested lightly. "We're all

Townsend just snorted.

a moment, though, his tone shifted, and he sighed.

had real talent. Shame you never let him pursue research at

gone before his

f.n

"What could I do? I only had the one kid. If he went off into academia, who'd fun the family

no one left to

chasing after money,"

smiled

only part of the reason Lysander was never allowed to pursue an academic

couldn't afford another family

research project went far enough, sooner

Given the Montgomerys' resources

influence, some things