Chapter 262

Chapter 262

Sitting beside Carlene, Dana felt a pang of discomfort at the thought of Maja’s face and quietly warned

Carlene.

“Remember that designer I mentioned before? She’s been getting close to lan, and I worry she might

have some ulterior motives. Keep an eye out.”

Carlene also had her concerns about other women attracting lan, but thanks to the previous cufflink

incident, she had faith in her standing in lan’s heart. But that didn’t mean she would let that designer

run wild.

She’d have to put an end to her shenanigans at some point. But it wasn’t urgent.

Looking sweet and caring, Carlene, sitting among a group of socialites, heard someone ask, “Why

hasn’t lan come to your welcome back party yet?”

Carlene smiled gracefully, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear leisurely.

“I just called him; he said he’ll be here any minute.”

As soon as she finished speaking, the door was pushed open, and in walked lan and Tyler.

Tyler was carrying a gift, which he handed to Carlene with a smile.

“Welcome back; here’s a little something for you.”

Carlene gave him a knowing smile, then turned to lan expectantly.

lan, in his white shirt and black trousers, with his suit jacket slung over his arm, looked like he’d just

come from a social event, exuding an air of elegance. He also had a jewelry box in hand.

Seeing this, Carlene’s face lit up with joy.

“lan, we don’t need gifts between us; come sit down.”

Tyler raised an eyebrow at the gift lan presented.

It was an expensive gift, a necklace worth nearly two million dollars.

But for lan, money was not the issue; the thought counted.

Jeff must have arranged this gift; he definitely went for the priciest.

Tyler watched all this with a knowing look, smiling, “A two–million–dollar gift, lan; your affection for Ms.

Shepard is as strong as ever.”

Hearing this, Carlene immediately took lan’s arm in delight.

“lan, come sit here.”

Seeing the situation, Tyler gracefully excused himself, “I’ll leave you two be. I’ll be sure to write your

sweet story into my script; it’ll be sickly sweet.”

Carlene was thrilled to hear this; she looked up at lan to see his usual calm expression.

This was typical of lan; Carlene wished he could be more passionate, proclaiming to everyone that he

only loved Carlene. But lan didn’t deliver.

Raised in a pampered environment, Carlene had many fantasies about love; she hoped to be

cherished by lan and to be the envy of everyone.

But she’s thought it through now; being sulky abroad only gives other women an opportunity, better to

return and secure her position as Mrs. Raymond and slowly learn to navigate their relationship.

With lan seated, the female friends around also moved to their boyfriends‘ sides; no one dared to get

too close.

So within a meter of him, it was just him and Carlene.

Carlene’s vanity was greatly satisfied; she glued herself to him.

There were several other tables around, occupied by the key players of their circle.

Carlene saw a waiter bring over a glass of wine, and reached out to drink it.

lan frowned, slowly stopping her.

“The alcohol content is high.”

Carlene immediately put it down, obediently saying, “Then I won’t drink. lan, you want it?”

She had already brought the wine to her lips and had a sip, now pushing it to lan.

lan merely said indifferently, “I have a back injury; I can’t drink.”

Carlene didn’t know when he was injured, just as others were coming over to toast with lan, including

Samuel Brown.

Carlene stopped them, “lan can’t drink these days.”

Samuel raised an eyebrow and jokingly said, “Ms. Shepard, lan isn’t officially your husband yet, and

you’re already bossing him around; that’s not cool, ya know?”

The crowd started to laugh; Carlene’s face reddened, her heart full of sweetness.