Chapter 162
Layla offered a gentle shake of her head, her voice softening. "I'm fine, thank you, Anthony. Once again, you've been my knight," she expressed with sincere gratitude.
Anthony's eyes crinkled in response, his smile radiating the charm of a noble gentleman. "It must be fate," he quipped lightly, his words hanging in the air between them.
In the quiet recesses of her mind, Layla found herself musing over the frequency of her encounters with the Eilishes. It was an unsettling pattern, yet her impression of Anthony remained overwhelmingly positive. After all, who could resist the allure of such a gracious and kind man?
From her hidden vantage point behind a pillar, Sarah watched the exchange with a frantic gaze, jealousy seething within her. Each flash of Anthony's smile was like a spark igniting her fury.
How dare Layla appear here? Did Anthony not realize the deceptive angel he was entertaining?
Panic surged within Sarah, threatening to send her fleeing. Her fingers twisted the hem of her dress to the point of distortion, her mind a whirlwind of confusion and fear.
"Layla, I'm back!" Alice's voice cut through the tension, her eyes wide with admiration at the sight of Anthony. Hastily, she adjusted her hair. "Hey there, handsome. I'm Alice."
With a nod of acknowledgment, Anthony excused himself, leaving Alice to marvel at his retreating figure. "Wow, who was that hunk? Such a refined air about him. He's on a whole other level compared to Mr. Holland, huh?"
"That's Nora Eilish's older brother, Anthony."
Alice's eyes widened in surprise. "No way! That's the Anthony? The one who's always compared to Mr. Holland? That's him! He keeps such a low profile, always abroad."
"Yeah, he's a real gentleman."
"How do you know Anthony? Has he taken a shine to you?" Alice asked, her voice tinged with excitement.
"You're reading too much into it."
...
Sarah, her urge to flee barely suppressed, clung to her dress, her hands slick with sweat.
She watched Anthony's expression carefully, searching for any sign of change. Seeing none, she mustered the courage to ask, "Who was that woman just now?"
"Miss Adkins? She's a friend of mine."
A friend? Layla, of all people, was his friend. Wouldn't that make it easier for her to slip up?
Why let her impersonate Layla if they were going to meet? Was fate playing games with her?
Sarah's anxiety left her at a loss for words, her voice shaky as she stammered, "How do you two know each other? She's not from the same world as us."
"I don't judge friends by their status."
"Anthony, I know you're a good guy, but it's important to be cautious. The way those ladies were clustering around her, she must be trouble. You should stay away from that type, she looks like a gold-digger."
At her words, Anthony's gaze hardened. "Judging someone's character by their appearance is quite presumptuous. You're my friend and so is Layla. I don't appreciate unwarranted judgments about my friends."
Sarah was left reeling, her anger simmering just beneath the surface.
Layla, he even called her name so affectionately.
And he considered her just a friend? No wonder she felt disappointed.
Sarah forced a smile, her voice resigned. "I'm just looking out for you, worried about someone taking advantage. Let's drop the subject."
"I'm going to catch up with some friends."
"Sure, go ahead."
As soon as Anthony left, Sarah's facade crumbled. With a resentful look, she turned on her heel, ready to settle scores.
"Sample this matcha roll, it's divine," Alice suggested, her attention primarily occupied by the cake she was eagerly consuming. She thrust a piece into Layla's hand without waiting for a response.
Layla, observing Alice's voracious appetite, couldn't resist a playful jab. "Are you here to mingle with the upper crust, or merely to satiate your sweet tooth?"
Chuckling, Alice retorted, "Why not accomplish both? We just encountered the city's most coveted bachelor, Anthony, didn't we? Quite the looker. You should definitely pursue him."
"Pursue him? As if she stands a chance." A scornful scoff interrupted their conversation, the sound of derision echoing from a nearby nose.
Layla swiveled around, her eyes landing on Sarah, barely recognizable in her designer evening attire.
"And who might you be?" Alice inquired, her brow furrowed.
"My sister," Layla confessed, her voice laced with reluctance.
"I bear no relation to you, cease your attempts at familial association," Sarah retorted, her gaze filled with disdain. "Dreaming of ensnaring Anthony? Have you even glanced at your reflection? Anthony is my boyfriend."
"Anthony, really? Is he blind?" Alice gasped, her surprise evident.
Sarah's demeanor, her speech - even dressed to the nines, she couldn't conceal her coarse nature.
"I'm the leading lady in Director Sue's upcoming film, on the brink of stardom," Sarah announced, her nose tilted upwards in pride.
Alice snorted in disbelief. "Come back when you've actually made a name for yourself. Don't toot your own horn too loudly, or you might have to swallow your words."
"Layla, consider this a warning, steer clear of my Anthony, or you'll rue the day!" Sarah declared, storming off in a huff.
"She's quite the character. Had you not mentioned it, I never would've guessed she's your sibling. You two are as different as chalk and cheese."
"You know the saying, like mother, like daughter," Layla replied, a mischievous grin playing on her lips.
Alice caught on swiftly, "You mean... she's your stepmother's child? That explains it. Your stepmother probably isn't a saint either. Poor Anthony, so innocent and oblivious to the reality. He has that naive, wholesome heir look. Aren't you going to enlighten him?"
"Nah, it's not my place to interfere in others' affairs. Deceptions will be exposed eventually. No one can maintain a facade indefinitely."
"That's true. It baffles me how successful men always fall for such imposters. I guess I'm just a pretense away from marrying into the elite myself," Alice mused, shaking her head in wonder.
...
Sarah had barely advanced a few steps when a waitress, burdened with a tray of champagne, accidentally collided with her.
"Oh, I'm so sorry," the waitress apologized hastily.
"Do you even watch where you're going? Do you comprehend the cost of this designer gown? Can you even afford to recompense?"
"Are you attempting to curse me?" Sarah exploded, her outburst bringing tears to the waitress's eyes.
"I'm truly sorry, allow me to clean that up."
"Don't you dare lay your grubby hands on me..." Sarah shoved the waitress to the ground, only to discover Anthony standing directly behind her.
"An-Anthony" Fear washed over Sarah, her face drained of color as she stuttered, attempting to concoct an excuse, "Anthony, I... I'm not typically like this..."
But Anthony had seen enough.
She was gentle and demure in his presence, yet arrogant and vulgar with others.
He was reluctant to label her with Director Sue's term - a ruffian.
Her rough upbringing and unfamiliarity with table manners were one thing, but her crude language was something Anthony couldn't ignore.
A person's actions reflected their character.
His angel wasn't supposed to behave this way.
"Anthony..." Sarah rushed forward, clutching his suit jacket, "I, I became jealous seeing you so close with that woman, and that's why I lost my temper, I really didn't mean..."
"Let's go," Anthony responded, his tone icy, devoid of any blame.
"How about a glass of champagne first?" Sarah suggested, turning around and discreetly slipping something into his drink.
She had waited all night and finally, her opportunity had arrived. A cunning glint flickered in her eyes.