Nina had always been straightforward. "I havee with..."


    "Nina, you''re here." Vivian suddenly appeared out of nowhere and stopped Nina from saying what she was about to say.


    She was wearing a simple slip dress and a pair of t shoes, which did not match her delicate makeup and coiled hair.


    There was some dust on her shoes. It seemed that she came out here in too much of a hurry that she did not have the time to change into her evening dress and shoes. Her voice was calm, albeit a little strained like she was catching her own breath. Nina''s eyes darted to the small fallen leaf stuck to Vivian''s hair.


    After looking Vivian up and down, Nina looked at the direction whence she came. It was a corner below a ledge with potted green nts on it. Fallen leaves were scattered on that corner''s ground.


    Nina surmised that Vivian had been hiding there and eavesdropping. She just waited for the right time to emerge like she just happened to walk by.


    Nina smiled from ear to ear. It seemed that Vivian did not want anyone to know that she came here as John''s date.


    Maybe it was Vivian''s n all along that tonight''s banquet was not only a birthday party but also an engagement party.


    Maybe Nina was right about the reason behind Jessica wanting to speak to John so urgently.


    Maybe she wanted to discuss the details of his and


    oose trousers with a white lining on top. Instead of leather shoes, he was wearing sneakers. He looked casual yet handsome and stylish.


    Hearing his voice, Nina answered in surprise, "Albert?" There was somebody she knew at this party after all.


    She could not help smiling brightly, making her look more beautiful. She actually turned a few male heads upon entering the hall.


    "I wasn''t expecting to see you here. Have youe here with James? Or..." Albert wanted to say John''s name. He heard that John and Nina were already living together.


    This was good news for him. It meant that the Shi and Ye families would not be able to unite through John and Vivian''s marriage.


    "I..."


    "Wait!" Nina''s words were interrupted again. It was Kristina who just spoke.


    Kristina''s eyes were fixed on the lollipop stick in Nina''s hand. When she took a closer look, she recognized that it was a lollipop customized by Noah.


    "Why do you have this lollipop? Who gave it to you?" Kristina was an able woman with a heroic face. Her words were full of energy, and she operated under a cold aggressiveness that got her whatever she wanted.


    Looking into Kristina''s eyes, Nina said calmly, "I bought it from my senior."


    "Senior? You mean Noah?" Kristina took the wooden stick from Nina''s hand and examined it. There was indeed a familiar logo on it.