?<strong>Chapter 1155:</strong>


    Laney mustered a weak smile.


    While Kailyn nursed her drink, Laney sipped her juice without enthusiasm. The band’s performance failed to capture her interest. Feeling restless, Laney excused herself to the restroom.


    As Laney made her way back, a familiar silhouette caught her eye. Her heart lurched in her chest as she peered closer. There, in the booth across from her, sat Cliff.


    Gerry lounged beside Cliff, their table adorned with two vibrant cocktails. The ambient lighting yed across their features, highlighting their striking good looks.


    Despite not seeing Cliff for days, Laney felt no joy at this chance encounter. He had imed to be working out of town, so why was he here? The question tormented her. Was he truly avoiding her presence? Fighting back tears, Laney crept into the shadows and typed out a message to Cliff. “Are you still busy?”


    Cliff exhaled a cloud of smoke before responding, “Yeah.”


    “Haven’t returned to Warrington yet?”


    “Is there something you need?” Cliff’s reply cut through her like ice.


    Laney’s heart plummeted. She stood frozen, watching as Cliff crushed out his cigarette and clinked sses with Gerry, his previouslyposed features now slightly somber. Had her two simple messages irritated him so deeply? Hot tears welled in her eyes.


    Tears threatened to spill from her eyes as she decided to leave hisst message unanswered.


    Cliff’s gaze lingered on his phone screen.


    “What’s up?” Gerry asked, noticing the unusual tension in Cliff’s expression.


    The peculiar sensation Cliff had buried for days came rushing back with Laney’s messages, leaving him with an inexplicable surge of irritation. “Nothing,” he muttered, unwilling to confide in Gerry, knowing his reputation as a gossipmonger.


    Gerry didn’t push the issue, doubting someone as emotionally distant as Cliff could have any intriguing stories to share. “By the way, what happened to youtely? You’ve been spending a lot of time with me and Caden.”


    Cliff shrugged. “I just have nothing much to do.”


    “Don’t ck off. You’re the heir, remember? If you getzy, our dad wille after me instead.”


    “Shut up.”


    Laney couldn’t bear to listen anymore. She hastily wiped her tears and fled the scene.


    Cliff seemed to sense something and turned to look, but found only unfamiliar faces. The crowd was filled with nothing but strangers. After draining theirst two drinks, Cliff announced, “Call a driver. I’m heading to the theaterter to check on Laney.”


    Gerry remarked, “I visited her yesterday. She seemed rather down. Did you upset her again?”


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