Chapter 84 Diamond Ne


    lte gasped bastornshunent at the sight.


    Inside was a stunning diamond ne, a Christie''s Diamond Ne, radiating elegance and luxury. "Adrian, you really didn''t have to," she protested softly, feeling overwhelmed by the extravagant elli.


    Adrian''s smile remained, his eyes sincere as he spoke, "It''s your birthday, ire. Everyone deserve to have something special"


    ire was taken aback "I can''t ept smelling so extravagant "


    "It''s your birthday, ire. My grandfather would insist, Fleas, take it."


    She was touched by his words and thanked him with a soft smile. "Thank you, Adn, It means a lot," she said sincerely.


    Adn smiled back, his eyes meeting hers briefly before he asked, "Do you mind if i help you with the ne?" ire nodded, forming amind to give him better ess. She brought her hair to the food, feeling a slight nervousness at the postmity. it had been a while since she had been this close to a man since Alex Matthew didn''t count since he was berright-hand person and bat a unique ce in herlite, and this closeness with Adn felt unfamiliar


    As Adrian''s fingers touched her skin, ire couldn''t help but shiver slightly. It was an odd sensation, nor she hadn''t felt in a long time


    Addan finished sping the ne and apologized softly, "I hope 1 didn''t make your ufortable,


    ire smiled ceassuringly, "No, it''s fine, Adrian. Thank you for helping."


    Looking down at the beatiful diamond ne, ire adudied Its elegance. "It''sbeautiful," shemented, her eyes sparkling


    Adrian nodded, but his gaze was on her, not the ne. "Yeah, it is," he replied, his eyes full of admiration.


    As ire lifted her head, she caught Addan staring at her. A yful smile danced on her lips as she met his gaze. Their silent exchange was intemipted by a sudden cough, drawing their attention to the person who had intended on their moment. Teming towards the sound, ire''s expression shifted from joy to annoyance as she recognized Alexander Harris approaching them.


    His smirk didn''t help ease her initation as he feigned Innocence. "I''m sorry, did interrupt something?" he quipped, his tone lighthearted


    ire gritted her teeth, her annoyance evident as she replied, "No, of course not, You came at the perfect time," her words dripping with sarcasm.


    Adrian, sensing the tension, nced between them and ventured to ask, "Do you two know each other?"


    Before ir could respond, Alex took the lead, smoothly interjecting, "Yeah, we''re business partner,"


    But ire quiddy added. "It is not official yet so don''t pay too much attention.".


    Alexextend his hand towards Adrian to introduce himself. "I''m Alexander Harris."


    Adrian shook Alex''s hand, curious about their connection. "Are you part of Harris Hotel?" he inquired, showing his admiration for the hotel chain.


    Alexchackled lightly. "Yes, I''m the co now. My father stepped down about a year ago," he exined, a hint of pride in his voice.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    Impressed, Adrianplimented the hotel, sharing his positive experiences staying there. Alex graciously thanked him before turning the conversation back to Adrian''s business.


    "I didn''t get your name earlier."


    "Oh right. My apologies. I''m Adrian Saint Laurent


    H


    Alexfurrowed his brows at the sumume. "Saint Laurent


    "Yeah, I''m sure you are familiar with the name. Nichs Saint Laurent is my grandfather."


    Alex was surposed since he wasn''t expecting the man in front of him is Mr. Saint Laurent grandson.


    "What kind of business do you own?" Alexasked, genuinely curious.


    "1 owned a few clubs in America and two in London. It''s called L''illusion."


    Alex wasn''t expecting Adrian to be the owner of L''Illusion since that nightclub is one of his favorite ces to hang out and not to mention he is a VIP member in that club


    H


    Adrian took his phone out from his pocket then turned to ire. "I''m sorry if you don''t mind, I will answer this "


    "Of course, go ahead, I will see you inside."


    He turned to Alex with a polite smile. "It''s good meeting you Alexander."


    "Likewise


    Adressed himself to take a call, ire took the opportunity to tumito Alex. "What are you doing here?" she asked, curtositycing her tone.


    His eyes drifted to the diamond neying on ire''s neck. "Nice ne. Did your boyfriend by it for you? Or did you ask for it?"


    re scoffed in disbelief. "First he is not my boyfriend and second he gave me this ne besides I don''t think you are even capable of doing such thing Illseyebrow raised but before he could utter a word, ire cut in all. "What are you doing here, Alex? Alexchuckled, leaning against the railing "I''m here for your birthday party, remember?"


    ire shook her head as she narrowed her eyes at Not that. I mean what are you doing at the balcony? Are purposely interrupting meetsation with


    Chapter


    Alex raised an eyebrow, a a sarcastic tone in his voice. "I didn''t know looking into each other''s eyes was a part of a conversation."


    Rolling her eyes, ire crossed her arms over her chest. "Why do you care? I can do whatever I want. Besides, shouldn''t you be dealing with Lisa?" The mention of Lisa''s name seemed to darken Alex''s mood. He replied in a cold tone, "Don''t mention her name." ire, ever the tease, couldn''t resist. "The one you promised to marry?"


    Alex''s re was icy, but ire remained unfazed. "Is Adrian your next prey?" Alex asked, trying to shift the conversation away


    way from his personal life.


    ire was taken aback by the usation, her voice tuming cold. "Adrian and 1 are just friends. And even if I decided to date him, what''s wrong with that? Jealous?" Alex let out augh thatcked warmth. "I''ll never be jealous. But it kinda make sense why you choose him after all he is the grandson of Saint Laurent and probably will inherit his business."


    ire is irked by Alex remarks, "You really don''t have anything to do rather than sticking your nose in my business."


    Alex shrugged. "I''m just saying if it isn''t true you don''t need to be mad."


    "It''s best if you should get out of my hair," ire retorted, her tone firm. As ire made to leave, Alex called after her. "ire. Are you still staying at the mansion?"


    ire was struck with a wave of memories from the past as the house was mentioned.


    You can have it back if you want; I have no use


    She turned back to Alex, her expression unreadable as she replied, "No, I don''t stay there anymore. Alex''s chuckle held a bitter note as he said, "Of course, you don''t need it. You''re the CEO of Metacortex, after all. You have everything. I still don''t understand why use for it." you asked for the house," Alex ask, genuine confusion in his volcr.


    ire''s smile in response was devoid of warmth, her words cutting through the air like ice. "Because you used me of being a gold digger and an attention seeker, so I just yed my part


    With that, ire walked away, leaving Alex standing alone on the balcony, stunned by her words. ire seemed to always have a way with words that left people in shock, and tonight was no exception.


    Chapter 85 Mastermind


    The party had been a great sess, withughter and cheerful chatter filling the air, ire, the hostess, made her rounds, thanking each guest foring and ensuring they had a good time. As the evening wound down, she found herself bidding farewell to her guest. Adrian approached her with a warm smile. "Once again happy birthday, ire." he said, giving her a gentle hug.


    ire rerumed the smile, feeling grateful for his presence. Thank you so much foring Adnan and also for the ne."


    "I''m just doing my job Amway, since I''ll be here in London for a few weeks, what about we hang out sometimes."


    ire pretended to ponder, a yful glint in her eye. "Hmm, let me check my busy schedule," she teased, causing Adrian to chuckde.


    "I''ll be waiting for that schedule check, he replied with a wink before saying his goodbyes.


    Talia, another friend of ire''s, palled her aside with a grin. "ire, everyone had a great time. The party was lively."


    ire beamed at thepliment. "I''m so d to hear that, Ta. All credit goes to you, Matthew and Sandra couldn''t do it without you guys." Christian terped with a polite greeting. "Happy birthday, ire Sorry I didn''t catch you earlier."


    ire waved off his apology with a smile. "No worries at all, Christian Thanks foring."


    Christian''s gaze then shifted to Talia, a hint of recognition dawning on his face. "And who insight this be?" he inquired, extending his hand.


    "Ah this is Talia, my best friend." ire introduced them, and they exchanged pleasantries.


    However, Christian''s memory jogged as he remembered a previous encounter. "Ah, you''re the one who spilled wine on me," he remarked, a yful tone in his


    voice.


    Talia chuckled lightly. "And you''re the guy who couldn''t take his eyes off me," she teased back, a yful twinkle in her eye.


    Christianfeigned innocence, a slight blush creeping up. "I wasn''t stating at you, just someone behind you," he retorted, trying to deflect the attention


    Their conversation was interrupted when Alex, a figure from loe''s past, approached them. His presence brought a tense air as ire maintained herposure "Happy birthday, ire," Alex sad formally, a hint of unreadable emotion in his eyes. ire replied politely, though her tone was noticeably cool. "Thank you foring, Alex"


    As Alex tomed to leave, ire couldn''t help but feel a pang of His sudden appearance and well wishes felt our of ce, considering their history.


    When they were married, Alex didn''t even think to wish te a happy birthday or show up to the birthday celebration that his mother had nned for her. Now that he has chosen toe and even wish her a happy birthday, ire finds herself not familiar with this. She catches herself thinking about how unpredictable his behavioris


    Christian, sensing the tension, joked lightly. "I better head out too before Alex starts secting out search parties."


    ireughed, grateful for the lighthearted moment amidst the mixed emotions. "Thanks for understanding, Christian. Have a good night."


    "You okay, ire?"


    ire turned to Talia and smiled. "Yeah, I''m fine. You should head home, I know you are tied. Thank you for preparing the party "ire hugged Talia, feeling grateful for her help. "Anytime ire." H


    ire slipped into her car, the leather seat cool against her skin.


    Matthew, her ever-elsable partner, settled in beside her, his eyes reflecting conemas be asked, "How are you feeling, ire?"


    A small smile touched her lips as she started the engine. "I''m happy, Matt, but also a bit weird about celebrating my birthday with strangers. Quess is the life of a businesswoman,"


    Matthew grinned, his eyes twinkling with admiration. "You handled the party remarkably well, as always. Anyways, I have something for you


    ire''s curiosity piqued when Matthew mentioned he had something for her "oh what''s that?"


    Matthew reached into thepartment between their seats and pulled out a slim file. Handing it to ire, he said, "Since you''ve been busy uncovering Lisa''s secrets and I forgot about the person behind Dmitr, consider this a birthday present." ire raised an eyebrow as she epted the file: "What is this?"


    "It''s a recond of the conversation Dmitri had with the person who hire him, along with the location of the burner phone and Dimitri''s current whereabouts," Matthew exined.


    ire''s eyes scanned the contents of the tile. She then scoffed as read the address of the burner phone. "Is the person stupid or what?"


    "Why is that?"


    "Whoever the person is may contact me using a burner phone but the address, 1 low this address by heart. Do you think we should confiant Dmitri or go after the mastermind?" hire you besides if we go to Dmitri, he might not


    Matthew leased back, considering their options. "Hmmm..I mean we found the address of the person who hir cooperate likest time and it could be a waste of time. But the choices it''s all up to you."


    the gazed out of the window, the passing buildings a blur as she contemted their move. "Let''s go after the person behind this. However, it would be fun if 1 Lount them, "Amievous de popped in her mind. She turned to him with a sly grin and asked, "Hey, do you still have Dmitri''s phone?**


    Mathew raised an eyebrow, "Yeah, why?"