Chapter 720
Amanda swirled her drink and looked at Fryderyk teasingly. “Captain Fletcher must be feeling pretty crushed. The girl he liked chose someone else.”
Fryderyk stayed silent. Amanda leaned in slightly. “But you don’t look all that upset. What, don’t like her anymore? Or maybe you’re into someone else. What about me?”
Fryderyk took a step back and muttered, “Still like her. I just haven’t shown it.”
Amanda put on a playful pout. “Now that’s a real shame.”
Everyone stared at Aria and Owen like they couldn’t believe what they were seeing. “No way. They’re dating?”
“I heard Owen doesn’t even have shares in the Shaw Group. You think Aria’s gonna step in and help him?”
Someone nearby chuckled. “Come on. The Cole Group is called Phosphor Group now. It belongs to Aria. She has already stepped back from both Phosphor and the Stars Group. She’s not the type to butt in unless she has to.”
One of the rich girls huffed. “You’re all focusing on the wrong thing. The real drama is that Fryderyk’s into Aria too!”
“Aria’s always had guys chasing after her. Liam just got the short end of the stick, lost his wife, and the family business.”
The fact that the Cole Group somehow ended up in Aria’s hands still cracked them up every time they thought about it. Fryderyk overheard and just sighed inside. It was pointless trying to explain.
He gave Aria an apologetic glance. She just shrugged like it was whatever. She wasn’t the one embarrassed. “Aria!” a little voice rang out, full of excitement.
Julia came running over, and the second Aria bent down, the little girl launched herself into her arms. “I missed you so much!”
Owen leaned in with a grin. “Did you miss me, too?”
Julia nodded enthusiastically. “I missed Owen, too!”
Owen smiled even wider and gave her head a gentle pat. Watching from the side, Susan scoffed. “And they said they cut ties with the Saxons. Now look at them, running right back.”
Evan frowned. “Mom invited them herself. Keep talking like that and she’s gonna be pissed.”
Susan rolled her eyes. “She’s never liked me. Doesn’t even like my son.”
Evan sighed. “She likes Avery, doesn’t she? Don’t talk like that. I’ve talked to Luke about Lennox. He did go too far with Derek. That’s why Mom’s upset with him.”
Susan snapped, “So what, now you’re taking her side? With that IQ of yours, you should be grateful Lennox turned out so
smart.”
Evan’s face went cold. “Every kid in this family is smart. I’m not gonna argue with you. Just go help greet the guests.”
Out in the garden, something had gone wrong with the setup. Adamson could tell the boys had issues with each other, so he deliberately had them handle it together, hoping they’d work it out.
But that wasn’t going to happen. Lennox spoke up first. “Derek, we’re both interning at the same company. Let’s not make things ugly.”
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Chapter 720
Derek scoffed. “You’re acting like I started all this. I just stopped faking it.”
Lennox said quietly, “I’m just kind of jealous of you.”
Derek stared at him like he’d lost it. “You stole my parents’ love, and you’re jealous of me? Please. Tell that to yourself if it helps you sleep. I barely come home. Isn’t that enough for you?”
But it was never enough for Lennox. He’d figured out he was just the family’s backup plan. Everyone knew it, but they kept pretending to be nice. They were using him to shape Derek into someone better.
It was sick. He muttered darkly, “They love you. Everything they gave me was fake.”
“Love isn’t just about what people say. It’s about what they do,” Derek replied, clearly over it. “So they gave you a little tough love, and now you’re throwing a tantrum?”
He gave Lennox a look. “You’re honestly just sad, man.”
The Fletcher family had been trying hard with Lennox. They treated him better than most, but he just kept wanting more. Lennox clenched his fists, his anger boiling.
Right then, the housekeeper walked over. “Mr. Fletcher, Ms. Saxon is here.”
Derek had already told her to let him know the moment Aria arrived. He didn’t even look back at Lennox. He just turned and walked off.
Back in the party hall, a small crowd of young guests suddenly rushed toward one side. “It’s Mr. Stroud. I can’t believe he came to Mandino City.”
