Chapter 878

Eleanor's smile was incongruous with her otherwise demure appearance. It held an air of

nonchalance that seemed out of place on her gentle features.

"I mean, the guy I had a thing for got hitched years ago. So, I totally understand his feeling. I see

you're flying solo too, Dorothy. Ever thought about…?"

Dorothy cut in swiftly, eager to set the record straight, "Kenneth is just a friend to me, nothing more.

I'm already into someone else and that's not going to change."

Eleanor arched an eyebrow, "Must be quite the catch to snag your attention."

"He is exceptional."

Exceptional to the point where she felt unworthy.

"Well, here's to hoping things work out with your Mr. Right!"

"Thanks," Dorothy said with a small smile. "And you and Kenneth—are wedding bells in your

future?"

Eleanor paused, mulling it over seriously. "I guess so. I mean, I'm not about to be the other woman

and steal someone else's man. If Kenneth pops the question, I'd say yes." She said.

Dorothy wanted to warn her that marriages of convenience might not last, that she might regret it,

but she held back. After all, marriage itself was a kind of fate, wasn't it? She had been in love with

Everett, and yet, they were divorced. Who could predict the future?

For adults, all that mattered was to take responsibility for their own choices.

"I just hope I'll get an invite to your wedding." Dorothy concluded.

Eleanor missed the deeper meaning behind Dorothy's words, assuming she was just offering

reassurance.

"No need to be so cautious with your words. Like I said, it's all good."

Dorothy just smiled, offering no explanation.

The two women returned to the private dining room, where the tension was palpable. Their friends

seemed on edge, as if bracing for a confrontation between them that never came. But there was

harmony between Dorothy and Eleanor, and after their chat, Dorothy even no longer felt like she

was on pins and needles.

...

After dinner, Karen and Jeffrey dropped Dorothy back at her apartment before heading to their own

place. On the way, Jeffrey received a call from Everett.

"The spring tech conference is coming up. Can you make it? You'd have to be out of Eldorria City

for three days." Everett was aware of Karen's situation and wanted to give Jeffrey the choice.

Jeffrey glanced at Karen and, sensing her approval, agreed, "Yeah, I can make it."

"Good, I'll have Kevin sort out your flight," Everett said, ready to hang up, but Jeffrey interrupted.

"Everett, do you know what we just did?"

"No clue," his reply was always extremely simple.

Jeffrey sighed dramatically, "Karen's cousin Kenneth has got himself a girlfriend! We just had dinner

with them. She's a looker, and they seem well-matched."

Everett on the other end clearly wasn't interested in the gossip, "And your point?"

"Dorothy's the one I feel sorry for. She used to have you and Kenneth, both treating her like she

was the center of the universe. Now you two have split, and Kenneth's taken. Poor Dorothy's left on

her own."

Karen, sitting in the passenger seat, bristled at the comment, "Hold on there. Dorothy would have

Kenneth back in a heartbeat if she just gave the word. He'd drop that new girl like a hot potato."

Jeffrey quickly signaled her to play along. He was trying to get a rise out of Everett, to see if there

was a chance for reconciliation, but Karen wasn't catching on.

Before Jeffrey could say another word, Everett's deep voice cut through the conversation.

"I don't need updates on her life."