After finalizing our arrangement, I stayed back to take care of some work. Before I knew it, it was already 3 p.m. I quickly got ready and headed to the restaurant.
Sandra and Aiden had already arrived.
I walked toward the private room they told me about, but just as I reached the hallway, a familiar voice called out.
"Alicia."
I turned around and saw Michael Livingston, Alexander's friend.
"Hello, Michael."
"What brings you here?" he asked.
"I'm meeting some friends. What about you?"
"Same here," he replied with a grin. "Why don't you come say hello to the others? Alexander is here too."
My breath hitched for a moment.
"You guys are hanging out. I don't want to ruin it for you."
"Oh, come on. You're just saying hello. Besides, we haven't seen each other in a while."
Alexander's circle didn't know we were married. They weren't very familiar with me either—we only exchanged polite greetings whenever we occasionally met.
Not wanting Michael to think I was being impolite, I quietly followed him to their private room.
The moment I stepped inside, the first thing I saw was Alexander and Lilian sitting together. Lilian's arms were wrapped around Alexander's arm intimately.
Our eyes met.
His expression was cold, yet there was an unfathomable depth hidden within it.
I forced a faint smile and steadied myself.
"I ran into Michael in the hallway and thought I'd stop by to say hello," I said casually.
My eyes swept across the faces around the table before I turned to Alexander.
" Brother, you're here."
"Mm," he replied briefly, as if he wasn't interested in saying anything more.
Raphael, ever the charming one, smiled brightly.
"Alicia, what have you been up to lately?"
"Working on Éclat Beauty's brand endorsement," I replied calmly, though I hesitated for a moment.
Raphael immediately sensed the topic was somewhat sensitive and smoothly changed the subject. He gestured toward Lilian.
"Well, isn't the brand ambassador right here?"
I smiled lightly, unfazed. Walking over to the table, I poured myself some water into an empty wine glass.
"We just happened to cross paths today. I need to meet my friends, so I'll toast with water instead of wine. Cheers, everyone."
I took a small sip before looking around the table.
"Sorry for the interruption. I'll invite you all to dinner another time. Brother, this one's for you."
I deliberately emphasized the words "Brother," with the faintest trace of coldness in my voice.
After finishing my drink, I gently set the glass down and prepared to leave.
However, Michael stopped me.
"Alicia, you can't leave like this! Your sister-in-law is sitting right here. Aren't you going to toast her?"
Internally, I sighed. I knew this situation wouldn't be easy.
Raphael quickly tried to smooth things over, but others began teasing.
"Alicia, why aren't you toasting your sister-in-law?"
"You two are working together now, right?"
"Come on, have a drink."
I lowered my gaze, pressing my lips together.
How could I toast Lilian?
"Maybe we should skip it," Raphael suggested, sensing the tension.
Michael smirked teasingly.
"What's this? Is Alicia unhappy with her sister-in-law? After all, this is the woman your brother chose to become Mrs. Alexander Blackwood."
His words carried an unmistakable implication.
How could I, merely an adopted daughter of the Hawthorne family, dare disrespect the future Mrs. Blackwood?
But if I didn't acknowledge Lilian as my sister-in-law, what authority would she truly have in society?
Grandma had always treated me kindly.
Would my attitude reflect badly on her?
Everyone's eyes were on me.
Lilian smiled gently, pretending to play the peacemaker.
"Alicia didn't mean anything by it. Victor, stop making things difficult for her."
"Lilian, you're always so understanding," Victor said before turning to Alexander. "Alexander, Lilian's your girlfriend. Aren't you going to say something?"