Chapter 69
As the beloved younger sister of the Langley family’s successor and a well-known celebrity, Estelle had always been bold and fearless.
The moment Myra spotted her, a faint smile graced her lips, easing some of her weariness. She approached her friend with a teasing glint in her eyes.
“Wow, you’re actually keeping a low profile today. I thought you thrived on being recognized.”
Estelle, with her back to the door, instantly turned at the familiar voice. Even though she was wearing sunglasses, she still shot a glare in Myra’s direction. Realizing Myra couldn’t see her expression, she pulled them off, revealing an even sharper glare.
“Cut the nonsense! What on earth is going on? Sean was in a panic when he called me, saying you moved out. Is it true?”
“Mm-hmm.” Myra remained composed, signaling a waiter to bring them two glasses of lemon juice. Lifting her gaze to meet Estelle’s worried eyes, she gave a calm smile. “Why the concern? Weren’t you the one always telling me to leave Sean? Now that I have, why do you look so distressed?”
Estelle frowned, concern deepening in her features. No one knew better than her how deeply Myra had loved Sean. Since their university days, Myra had devoted all her passion and youth to that man, chasing after him like he was the center of her world. Now, seeing Myra so indifferent unsettled Estelle.
Taking a deep breath, she hesitated before saying, “I heard Lyla is back.”
“Yeah.” Myra’s tone remained light, betraying no hint of sadness.
Estelle pursed her lips. “And? That’s it? Don’t tell me you’re just going to step aside and let her take your place.”
“What else can I do?” Myra’s voice was calm, yet her gaze softened at the worry in Estelle’s eyes. “The truth is, whether she came back or not, I was always going to have to step aside. You know it too—Sean never loved me. And honestly… I want to start over.”
Estelle clenched her fists. “Before, I couldn’t wait for you to divorce him. But now that it’s actually happening… Myra, I can’t accept it.”
Myra turned her gaze to the bustling street outside, her voice dropping to a whisper. “It doesn’t matter. There’s nothing left for me to hold onto.”
Sean’s drunken murmurs from last night still echoed in her heart, stinging like hailstones against fragile glass. He had never let go of Lyla. No matter how unfair it was, Myra knew she had to.
“Well, if you’re determined to move on, that’s great!” Estelle’s voice turned fierce as she slammed her hand on the table. “Listen to me. Sean actually wanted me to convince you to go back. Can you believe that? But when I heard you’d finally left, I was ecstatic. This time, you cannot let your heart soften. I swear, if you pack your bags and go back just because that old lady cries a few crocodile tears, I will disown you as my friend.”
Myra chuckled, though there was a trace of sadness in her smile. “I won’t be going back… Even if I wanted to, I don’t think I could.”
Sensing the heaviness in the air, Myra quickly changed the subject. “Enough about me. I heard Charles has been enthusiastically arranging blind dates for you?”
At the mention of her brother, Estelle groaned. “Don’t even start! I’m such a catch, and yet that pr*ck Shawn won’t even spare me a glance. Worse, he actually got my brother involved! Charles must’ve been brainwashed—why else would he be so desperate to push me into marriage?”
Myra raised an eyebrow. “Wait… don’t tell me you’re serious about Deputy Mayor Hart?”
Estelle scoffed, then hesitated.
Noticing this, Myra smiled knowingly. “I have to say, I agree with Charles. Estelle, Shawn Hart isn’t like those men who flirted with you in the past. If you mess around with him, I doubt you’ll ever be able to shake him off.”
“Who says I want to shake him off?” Estelle huffed, gulping down her lemon juice in frustration. “I’m serious about him this time! The problem is, no one believes me…”
“That’s because you have too many past offenses,” Myra teased, but her laughter suddenly froze. Her gaze fixed on something outside, her expression shifting.
Estelle noticed. “What’s wrong?” She followed Myra’s gaze but saw nothing beyond the street’s flashing neon lights.
“…Nothing.” Myra inhaled deeply, pushing away the thoughts swirling in her mind.
Just as she was about to steer the conversation back, Estelle interrupted, eyes gleaming with mischief. “Oh, I almost forgot! I heard that at Old Master Hart’s banquet last night, you and the successor of Hart Group—Tony Hart—were looking pretty cozy?”
Myra’s breath hitched.
Estelle’s jaw dropped. “So it’s true?!” She clapped her hands in delight. “Myra, I’m so impressed. You actually managed to attract Tony Hart—the most powerful and eligible bachelor in Bradfort City!”
Myra sighed. “Don’t be ridiculous. I drank something bad last night, and Director Hart was just helping me out of kindness.”
Estelle narrowed her eyes. “Tony Hart? Kind? Are we talking about the same man? The one known for being cold-hearted? Plenty of women have tried to get his attention, but he ignored all of them. And yet, he went out of his way to help you? Myra, spill it! What’s really going on?”
She wiggled her fingers threateningly, ready to tickle the truth out of Myra.
“Estelle, stop it!” Myra swatted her hands away, but her mind wandered back to Tony’s cold, piercing gaze from earlier that day.
She had made it clear to him last night—there would be nothing between them.
So why did his indifference still bother her?