Chapter 33: Evelyn’s Good Friend

The couple began to eat quietly, with Evelyn amazed and comforted by the food. Other than Ethan’s cooking recently, she hadn’t eaten anything this good.

Her mind still lingered on Nora in the hospital, but she felt at ease when she remembered that the doctors were already treating her and trying to find the cause.

’Right. What could have caused that?’

Just as she began to think about it, she heard a familiar voice call her name.

"Evelyn?"

She turned, a young lady in a neat black gown standing beside a young man wearing a sharp suit and looking rather flashy.

It took her a moment to recognize the lady.

"Melinda?" Her eyes lit up.

Melinda smiled at Evelyn, whispered something to the man beside her, then they took a seat next to Evelyn’s table.

"It has been many years since I last saw you, Evelyn," Melinda’s smile widened. "Meeting you here is a really big coincidence."

Evelyn nodded and turned to Ethan. "Ethan, this is Melinda. One of my closest friends back in the university."

"Oh..." Ethan nodded slowly, giving the lady and her partner a curt nod. "Nice to meet you."

"Melinda, this is Ethan—my husband," Evelyn introduced him to her.

"Your husband?" Melinda’s gaze on Ethan paused slightly, then she smiled. "You sure have an eye for men, Evelyn."

The white-haired lady smiled bashfully, then glanced at the man sitting with Melinda.

Melinda caught the gaze and introduced him as her fiance.

Soon, the two women began chatting and sharing their experiences. Melinda lamented about how her father wanted to force her into an arranged marriage, and she fled from her family until she found her current fiance who had connections with the mayors of several cities in the country.

She continued to paint a lovely romantic story between them, even to the point where Ethan began to wonder how the man could keep a straight face.

’No. Why is he looking at Ev—my wife?’

His eyes sharpened, and he made his deep stare obvious. The young man noticed, then casually ignored him.

’Huh? I’ve become ignorable? Oh Lord...’

A faint smile appeared on his lips, and he quietly continued eating. Seeing him turn away after being ignored once—Frank—Melinda’s fiance, sneered in his heart.

’What a coward.’

After a while, Melinda asked, "Where do you live? I definitely need to pay you a visit soon."

Evelyn shifted slightly, glancing at Ethan. Seeing that he didn’t seem particularly interested, she answered.

"We currently stay at Star Rose Community, but we’re planning to move to Arcane City."

Melinda’s brows rose. "Star Rose? Never heard of it. But have you gotten a house in Arcane City?"

Evelyn gestured at her husband with a smile. "I don’t know, Ethan’s handling it."

Newfound respect for Ethan surged in Melinda’s heart and she smiled at him. Before she could say anything, Frank spoke to Evelyn.

"I have connections with the Mayor of Arcane City. If you need a house, I can help you get the deed on one of the best houses, considering that you’re my fiance’s friend."

Evelyn blinked in surprise, glancing at Melinda who nodded supportively.

"Um... thank you. But I think you should speak with Ethan. He’s the one taking care of it."

Frank held back a snort and turned to Ethan. "Well, what do you say about getting my assistance?"

Ethan pondered about it, then shook his head. "No need. I don’t particularly need influence for what I’m planning. And even if I did, I wouldn’t want to trouble you. I have someone else in mind."

Frank’s eyes narrowed in displeasure, but he didn’t retort foolishly. He nodded and tactically turned away.

Then, he faced Melinda and said, "Would you like some drinks? To celebrate your reunion with your friend."

Melinda smiled and nodded. Evelyn also didn’t refuse.

"Alright, I’ll handle it," Frank said and called a waiter, giving him an order for two bottles of alcoholic wine.

Soon, the waiter returned with two bottles and four glass cups for them.

Frank uncorked the first wine bottle and passed it to Evelyn’s table. Then, he uncorked the second one and poured for himself and Melinda.

Ethan didn’t pour from the bottle immediately. Instead, he looked at the content details of the bottle, then shook his head.

"Evelyn can’t have this."

Everyone turned to him, curious.

"Why?" Melinda asked in confusion.

"She hasn’t had alcohol before and the alcohol content of this wine is definitely not suitable for a beginner. Although manageable, it’s not advisable," He explained.

Melinda frowned and turned to Mark. Didn’t he know this?

Frank kept his expression calm and looked at Ethan. "I didn’t realize your wife has never had something like this before. But I guess you must be really experienced to know all this, right?"

Ethan nodded without an ounce of shame. "I was once a heavy drinker, so I know a lot more than you think. However, drinking gets boring very easily."

Melinda looked at him with parted lips while Frank raised an eyebrow. He actually admitted to being a drinker?

Ethan poured the bottle for himself, then ordered a non-alcoholic wine for Evelyn to drink.

"This would be better for you. Same taste, different content." He smiled as he filled her cup.

Frank watched him pour the drinks with practiced ease, then snorted quietly.

He turned back to Melinda, then said casually. "What car do you want me to buy you next? This time, I’m not allowing you to intentionally pick anything less than a hundred million."

Melinda looked at him in confusion. Why was he bringing it up now?

She shrugged and answered, "I haven’t thought about it, but that should probably be after our marriage. I think I have enough cars already."

Frank rolled his eyes and turned to Ethan. "What do you think? Are five cars enough for a woman you love?"

Ethan paused and smiled. "If you seek to express love using material things, then no. You should probably buy her a whole company."

Frank’s lips twitched, but he still nodded stiffly. Buy her a whole company? What a joke! He’d rather use the money to invest somewhere else.

Just as he wanted to speak to Melinda, someone approached their side. The two men were surprised as they immediately recognized the new arrival—Lucas Stark.