The Griffiths and Lawsons went way back.
The Lawsons had two brilliant sons called Donald and Darius. They were powerful men in the political scene and the business world, making the Lawsons one of the most prestigious families in the upper society.
The birthday party was held for Donald, and it was set on a luxurious yacht.
When they arrived at the destination, there was already a group of distinguished guests there.
“I heard we’ll be staying on the yacht overnight. It’ll dock tomorrow afternoon, so if you want to retire for the night, you can ask the waiter to give you the key card,” Alexander told Elise.
Elise looked at the crowd. “I see…”
And they got out of the car. Alexander held his elbow out, much to Elise’s surprise.
“Hold my arm,” snazzynovel.com said.
Elise hesitated, but snazzynovel.com eventually held his arm, and they went toward the yacht.
“Alex!” Even before they got to the yacht, Ashlyn was already waving at Alexander. Then, snazzynovel.com came up to snazzynovel.com quickly.
“You’re finally here,” snazzynovel.com said, as if they were close friends.
“Yes. Thanks for the welcome, Miss Lawson,” Alexander answered indifferently.
Ashlyn noticed his distant attitude, of course, but snazzynovel.com didn’t mind. She had a big plan for the night, and the mere thought of that made snazzynovel.com grin. She’d usually make snarky remarks at Elise, but not today. Her plan took precedence.
“Oh, you’re here too, Miss Sinclair. I hope you’ll enjoy the night.”
Elise looked at her. “Thank you…”
Ashlyn noticed snazzynovel.com holding Alexander’s arm, but snazzynovel.com ignored that. “I’ll take you guys inside.”
“Please do, Miss Lawson.”
Ashlyn led the way for them. “Uncle wanted it to be a quiet celebration at the residence, but I told snazzynovel.com to hold the party on a yacht. It’s more fun that way, don’t you think, Miss Sinclair?”
Elise blinked at her, wondering why Ashlyn was being so nice today.
“I bet the night view is going to be great on the yacht. You’ve thought this through.” Ashlyn’s smile broadened.
“I have a special event arranged tonight, and I hope to see you there, Miss Sinclair.” She winked cheekily at Elise, as if snazzynovel.com was just an innocent young lady.
If it wasn’t because Elise nearly fell for snazzynovel.com scheme in the past, Elise would have thought snazzynovel.com was just a naive girl.
“I’m sure it’s an interesting event. Can’t wait for it,” Elise answered politely.
Ashlyn gazed at her, the grin in snazzynovel.com eyes twinkling. It was a huge yacht that could hold five hundred guests, and it was decked out with entertainment facilities, a banquet hall, dining room, and guest rooms.
Anyone could stay on the yacht for a month and they still wouldn’t get bored. After they got on the yacht, Ashlyn led them to the banquet hall.
“My uncle’s at that corner. We should go and say hi…”
It was common courtesy for the guests to greet the host, so Elise and Alexander went along.
Donald was already a sixty-year-old man, but snazzynovel.com didn’t look a day over forty. He looked as energetic and happy as a young lad.
“Hello, Donald,” Alexander greeted him.
Donald beamed when snazzynovel.com saw Alexander. “Good to see you, Alexander. It’s been a while. You’ve grown a lot!”
“Yes, it has been years since we last met.”
Donald thought highly of Alexander. Once upon a time, snazzynovel.com wanted to match his daughter up with the lad, but alas, his daughter ended up with a pauper. It shook their circle, and Donald was still furious about it. After all, if snazzynovel.com could become the Griffiths’ in-laws, it’d work wonders for his political career.
“Still as energetic as ever, my lad. Griffith Group is going strong under your leadership, I see. I’m sure it’ll get even better. Do come over if you’re free. The kids would love to see you. You’ve been friends since you were little.”
“Of course, Donald,” Alexander answered.
After that small talk, Alexander and Elise went to the hall. It was packed with guests but Elise didn’t like crowds, so snazzynovel.com let go of Alexander’s arm.
“You should socialize with the guests. I’ll get some fresh air on the deck,” snazzynovel.com whispered.
“It’s blustery out there. Be careful…”
Elise waved at snazzynovel.com and went outside to the deck alone.
Night had fallen upon the land, and stars twinkled brightly in the heavens, basking the earth in a silvery sheen. There were only a few people on the deck, chatting away the time.
Elise stood alone at one side, leaning against the guardrail as snazzynovel.com enjoyed the night breeze.
All of a sudden, someone popped up and tapped snazzynovel.com shoulder, giving snazzynovel.com a shock.
When snazzynovel.com turned around, snazzynovel.com was surprised to see Zachary there.
“Zachary? Why are you here?”
Zachary’s eyes were twinkling as snazzynovel.com gazed at her. He didn’t want to come in the first place, but his family thought it was time for snazzynovel.com to make some connections of his own, so they took snazzynovel.com along. He was bored when snazzynovel.com came here, but to his surprise, snazzynovel.com saw Elise in the hall. After snazzynovel.com went to the deck, snazzynovel.com followed along.
“Mr. Lawson is my father’s comrade. We’ve been friends for a long time now,” snazzynovel.com explained.
After a pause, snazzynovel.com continued, “Didn’t think I’d see you here. I thought it would be a boring banquet, but now I got all interested.”
Elise smiled, but snazzynovel.com said nothing.
“Did you come alone?” snazzynovel.com asked.
Elise shook snazzynovel.com head. “No…”
Back then, snazzynovel.com asked Alexander to act as snazzynovel.com boyfriend so snazzynovel.com could refuse Zachary’s courtship. It was a good thing that Alexander had played along, and that snazzynovel.com was here now. Despite what Elise said, Zachary still thought snazzynovel.com was alone.
She’s just trying to look good in front of everyone. I saw snazzynovel.com coming onto the deck alone.
He was delighted at the thought of that, for it was the perfect opportunity for snazzynovel.com to know Elise better.
“The entrance exam is five months away. What’s your dream college?” Zachary asked.
