From Neglected Wife to CEO’s Obsession novel Chapter 155

As I spoke, I happened to walk right past Remy.

He heard me, and his already pale face seemed to lose what little color it had left. His lips parted like he wanted to say something, but the words never came. The look in his eyes was so full of longing and worry—like a bottle of old wine left open, all the richness gone, just a bitter aftertaste.

I didn’t look at him. Didn’t stop. I just kept walking, quiet and distant.

He used to be the brightest, boldest part of my life. Now, all I wanted was to slip quietly out of his story.

No ties. No regrets. Just two people, finally letting go.

“Avery.” Remy’s voice called out behind me, rough and pleading.

I didn’t turn back.

Not in this lifetime. I’d never look back for him again.

Inside, the auction hall was already buzzing with people. Jeffery was sitting dead center in the front row. He turned, caught my eye, and smiled. I nodded back.

In front of the first row were two round tables reserved for tonight’s VIPs.

At the right table, a young woman in a bright red dress had already taken her seat. Her long hair was swept up in a high bun, with a few loose strands framing her lively, pretty face. Her neck was slender and elegant—she was honestly stunning.

Elliot led me to the left table. He sat in the middle, Blake took the seat to his left, and I ended up on his right.

We’d barely settled when the girl in red perked up, her eyes lighting up as she spotted Elliot. “Elliot, you’re finally here! What took you so long? I was so bored I thought I’d die.”

She looked so young, almost innocent, with big sparkling eyes and a shy blush on her cheeks. She was adorable, honestly.

It was obvious—she was totally into Elliot.

Who knows, maybe someday Elliot would become her ideal love, or maybe she’d just end up losing herself over him.

Girls in love don’t think straight. Their whole world shrinks down to just that one person, and in the end, they’re the ones who get hurt the most.

It’s the kind of thing you can’t say to someone like her. Even if you did, she wouldn’t believe it.

You only realize how foolish you were after you’ve been hurt.

“No,” Elliot said, ice in his voice and on his face.

The girl’s eyes widened, but she didn’t push it. Instead, her gaze shifted to me, curiosity lighting her up again.

“You’re so pretty,” she said with a bright smile. “And your figure is amazing! I’m Mandy—I turn twenty next month. What’s your name? Can we exchange numbers?”