âHaillie, Ellinor came with Balfour because of work. Itâs not what youâre thinking! Alright, youâve had too much to drink. Letâs go to the balcony and get some fresh air to sober you up!â
Haillie looked a bit pissed off. She wanted to confront Ellinor but Patricia managed to calm her down.
She shot Ellinor a dirty look before following Patricia to the balcony The evening breeze on the balcony was chilling Haillie sobered up a bit but her resentment didnât subside âPatricia, you shouldnât have stopped me. I shouldâve put Ellinor in her place!â
Patricia shook her head with understanding and patience. Haillie, you were too hot headed. Donât forget itâs Aunt Blunaâs birthday partyââ
Haillie shivered as she realized this and instantly regretted her actions She almost forgot that this party was for the elder of the Howard family, Aunt Bluna.
Aunt Bluna was a tough cookie, and causing a scene at her birthday party would be a surefire way to get on her bad side.
If that happened, not only would Haillie be kicked out on the spot, but sheâd also lose Aurt Blunaâs support for her relationship with Balfour âPatricia, thank god you stopped me. Otherwise, I wouldâve pissed off Aunt Bluna, and that wouldâve been a mess!â
âAs long as you understand, Haillieâ
Patricia actually didnât want to intervene. She wouldâve loved to see Ellinor get a piece of Haillieâs mind but only if she could watch from the sidelines without getting involved But she was right there and if something had happened, Aunt Bluna wouldâve blamed her too. She had a stake in this. So she couldnât let Haillie lay a hand on Ellinor.
âWell, isnât this Patricia? Long time no see, youâve become even more stunning!â
A dangerous voice suddenly came from behind Patricia turned around and saw a man in a plaid suit swaying a glass of red wine with a naughty smile on his face.
Patricia was taken aback for a moment before recognizing him. âYork, itâs youâ
This man was York Mayes. He was the son of Patriciaâs motherâs relative. He was a notorious womanizer, gambler, and all around, troublemaker. A few years ago, he got sentenced for messing with a girl. He shouldâve been released by now, but he seemed unchanged After acknowledging Patricia, Yorkâs gaze immediately landed on the dolled up Haillie âYou must be Patriciaâs good friend, Haillie, right? Long time no see. Youâve changed a lot. You look betterâ
Yorkâs gaze was uncomfortably intense. Haillie stepped back. If he wasnât Patriciaâs cousin, sheâd have slapped him already.
Patricia, of course, noticed his inappropriate behavior. She quickly changed the subject, pointing in a certain direction in the banquet hall. âYork, look over there! That beautiful girl is just your type, and sheâs single!â
Yorkâs gaze finally shifted from Haillie and followed where Patricia was pointing. His eyes lit up when he saw the ethereal beauty, Ellinor