Chapter 181

Jennifer didn’t dare report the incident. If Yvette’s situation got out, it would completely destroy her chances in the entertainment industry. She quickly changed the subject, bringing up Tiana on purpose. “Vance, since you got back, has Tiana been bothering you?”

Mentioning Tiana, Vance gave an evil grin. “Didn’t she always say Khloe is vicious? I sent her an e-wedding invitation to our wedding. I want her to see us happy together and give up on me once and for all.”

“I like Khloe. No matter what Tiana does, I won’t like Tiana.” Vance felt a bit better after saying that, but a bitter taste still lingered. His eyes dimmed; Tiana hadn’t come to see him at all.

In the past, whenever he came home, Tiana would rush over, fawning over him. But during the year he was away, they lost touch. He used to find her annoying, but now that she wasn’t clinging to him, he felt a bit off.

Thinking about the wedding in a few days, his mood sank. Before, when he couldn’t be with Khloe, he wanted to be by her side every second. But now, Tiana’s kindness seemed amplified.

He was getting married, and he sent Tiana a wedding invitation, but she didn’t react at all. Thinking back to her past kindness, now that she wasn’t coming to him, he felt a pang of sadness.

Tiana had been so persistent, and they were not only classmates but also desk partners through high school and college. For six years, Tiana had brought him breakfast every day, no matter the weather, and fussed over him. But he just didn’t like her.

Maybe it was because she always came on too strong; he just couldn’t feel anything for her. Vance took a deep breath. Since that night, he hadn’t felt right. He remembered a line: “The timing was perfect, we drifted apart.” It was an uncomfortable feeling.

Jennifer seized the opportunity. “Vance, Natalie and Tiana are pretty close. Be careful; don’t let Tiana trick you. Look what happened to James with Natalie and Zoe. If it weren’t for that whole mess, Jason and Jasmine would have gotten married long ago.

“But now, Jason…” Jennifer feigned regret. That incident almost got exposed, but thankfully, she had been discreet. Natalie suspected her but couldn’t find any evidence. Natalie had recordings, but Jason didn’t believe her.

Vance whispered, trying to reassure her, “Jennifer, don’t worry about me. I’m not as foolish as Jason.” Jennifer smiled but didn’t say anything. She thought, 'Vance was even more foolish, believing me unconditionally. I will make sure Jason becomes the heir of the Simpson family.’

But Vance didn’t expect that later that afternoon, when he took Khloe to a restaurant for lunch, he would run into Natalie and Tiana having a meal there.

Tiana was wearing a black business suit, sitting next to Natalie. Natalie was surprised by how much Tiana had changed. “Tiana, it’s been a few months, and you look like a completely different person.”

Tiana had shed her former innocence, with a sharp bob and a slimmer figure. Her oval face and delicate features were accentuated by a flawless makeup job. On the street, you’d barely recognize her if you didn’t look closely.

A year in the business world had sharpened her gaze, giving her a fierce yet dignified presence. She was confident without being arrogant, exuding an extraordinary aura.

Tiana’s lips curled up into a gentle smile when she heard this. “Natalie, you’ve really changed. It’s true; getting away from those jerks, we can all live much better.”

Natalie had changed a lot in Tiana’s eyes. Her current grace and composure seemed to come from deep within her.

Just as Vance brought Khloe in, he saw them. If he hadn’t heard the voices, he might not have recognized Tiana, who looked even more beautiful now.

Tiana loved seafood, and with money no object, the table was piled high with it. They chatted and laughed while they ate, having a great time.

Vance found the sight extremely irritating. Across from him sat Natalie. If it were a man, he felt like he might go crazy. “Vance,” Khloe said, seeing how entranced Vance was by Tiana. She suddenly felt a sense of crisis.

The two were so engrossed in their conversation that they didn’t notice Vance and Khloe. Vance turned to leave with a cold expression, but then he heard Tiana’s next words.

“Natalie, didn’t you say you’d introduce me to Gordon? When will you do that?” Tiana asked, her eyes filled with anticipation.

Vance clenched his fists tightly, staring at Tiana’s expectant face. He thought, 'She wasn’t clinging to me anymore, and she was going to look for other men.’

That should have been a good thing, but a surge of anger rose uncontrollably in his heart. Vance’s eyes were icy cold. 'Tiana’s liking me is nothing special,' Vance thought.

Natalie nodded, looking at Tiana’s curious expression. “Gordon will be back for my birthday. I’ll personally set you two up.”

“Nice! You said Gordon is gentle and looks like a big star. I’m really intrigued,” Tiana said excitedly.

Natalie took out her phone and showed Tiana a photo of her Gordon. “Here, take a look, Tiana. This is Gordon, no filters.” Tiana looked at the man on the phone, wearing a white T-shirt with his bangs falling over his forehead. His features were distinct, but his demeanor was gentle and refined – something Vance could never compare to.

“Wow, Natalie, your Gordon is so handsome. You’re actually introducing him to me?” Tiana was hesitant, feeling inferior. “His face is such a burden. Walking with him, I’m afraid those girls will attack me, saying I don’t deserve him.” Although Tiana no longer liked Vance, she hadn’t considered finding a man this handsome – someone who was so stunning that he seemed to have no trace of earthly imperfections.

“Natalie, he’s a god, not a human being.” Natalie laughed at Tiana’s comment.

“Don’t worry, you’ve only seen Gordon’s face. You haven’t seen his height or his aura. Any woman would be captivated by him,” Natalie said confidently. Not just Gordon, but all three of her brothers were incredibly handsome.

“Wow, for this god-like brother, I’ll definitely work harder to lose some weight so he’ll notice me. He’s really my type,” Tiana said, gripping Natalie’s hand excitedly.

Natalie said, “Oh no, I just ate a big lobster, my hands are oily.”

Tiana let go of her. “Natalie, the lobsters on Serenity Isle are delicious. I’m going there on a business trip this month and won’t be back for about a month.

“By the time I return, Gordon should be back too. So, I might get to meet him, right?”

“Yeah, my birthday is in October; it’s coming up soon. My grandpa chose the day he found me as my birthday, so Gordon will be back soon. I miss him a lot.”

Tiana was thrilled. “Oh my gosh, who wouldn’t want a guy like that? If I had someone like him, I’d be circling him all day.” Suddenly, a questioning voice cut through the air. “Tiana, aren’t you coming to my wedding?”