Filed to story: The Regretful Billionaire: An Unpredicted Reunion >>
The air was tense from all the accusations. If Eustace did not condemn Danika’s gift, everyone would start to paint him as a bad grandson. His expression soured under the pressure. Even though he did not know the value of the lapis lazuli stone, he was confident in Danika’s taste.
With bated breaths, everyone waited for Zachary’s outburst, but the old man was deeply attracted by the inkstone and ignored the commotion around him. Eustace stared helplessly at his grandpa, who was now obsessing over an inkstone without a care about the situation. He wondered, “Shouldn’t Grandpa speak up for Dr. Zellweger at least?”
Feeling Eustace’s gaze, Zachary shot his grandson a displeased look. “Look, you can’t even protect your woman. That’s why Danika didn’t fall for you.”
His words dropped a bomb on Yvonne and the rest of the guests. Danika was left speechless as well.
Eustace felt like he was collateral damage in the exchange. Danika was also stunned. Had Old Mr. Quincey forgotten that they had already divorced?
After a while, Old Mr. Quincey returned the lapis lazuli stone to its place while giving Yvonne and her friend a disdainful look. “From how you treat this lapis lazuli stone, I’d have thought you were the richest person in Parrington. It’s worth more than a hundred million dollars, you know.”
Even though he was directing those words at her friend, Yvonne still blushed with embarrassment.
A hundred million dollars?
Who’d have thought this rock could be worth more than a hundred million?
Moreover, where did Danika even get that much money? What was her relationship with Old Mr. Quincey?
Everyone’s curiosity was piqued.
Some even suspected that Danika was one of Old Mr. Quincey’s illegitimate daughters. After all, hers was the most expensive gift tonight. Why would she give him such an expensive gift if they weren’t related?
Old Mr. Quincey knew what the others were thinking. He glanced at them and said sternly, “Danika is Eustace’s so she’s my granddaughter-in-law. What’s so surprising about her giving me a lavish gift?”
Eustace’s wife?
Everyone’s jaws dropped in disbelief.
Was she the wife that Eustace had been forced to marry?
It didn’t seem like it.
“Are you confused about something? Danika and Eustace are divorced.” Max appeared, holding a wine glass. He had been watching from the sidelines for a while and hadn’t planned to interfere, but what Old Mr. Quincey said didn’t quite agree with him. He walked over to Danika and told Old Mr. Quincey and Eustace purposefully, “Danika is my date for tonight.”
Old Mr. Quincey frowned. “What relationship do you have with Danika, Pearson?”
“We’re friends,” Max answered cheerfully. “Of course, that may change soon. I’m confident that Danika will agree to be my girlfriend.”
Exasperated, Danika gave him a side-eye, but she did not refute him. If this could make Old Mr. Quincey stop trying to get Eustace and her back together, then she might as well leave it be.
Hearing this, Old Mr. Quincey was furious. He was angry that Max was trying to take Danika away from Eustace, and also the apparent fact that Eustace was letting him.
“Even though Danika and Eustace are divorced, she still calls me Grandpa. To live up to the name, I’ll need to help her vet her partners.” Old Mr. Quincey examined Max from head to toe. “She’s out of your league. Just give up.”
Max was speechless. He could see that Old Mr. Quincey was still trying to get Danika and Eustace back together, but he wasn’t about to back down so easily. “Unfortunately, I don’t think you have any say in this.” Seeing that Old Mr. Quincey was about to rebuke him, Danika interrupted, “Grandpa, it’s your birthday today. Don’t let these frivolous matters affect your mood.”
“You’re right.” Old Mr. Quincey nodded. “That’s a wrap, people. Let the banquet resume.”
The crowd dispersed reluctantly. Yvonne was still stunned when she was dragged away by her friend.
Danika also made to leave with Max. After all, she was also a guest at the banquet.
“Danika, can we talk?” Old Mr. Quincey stopped her.
Danika didn’t refuse. “You can leave first,” she told Max.
“Okay.” Max nodded, then said with a grin, “Don’t forget, you’re my partner tonight. Don’t get too close to other men.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t forget it even if I wanted to,” Danika said in exasperation.
Eventually, the crowd dispersed, leaving only Danika and Eustace standing in front of Old Mr. Quincey. They looked at each other. Neither of them spoke.
Old Mr. Quincey was exasperated by the sight. He had created an opportunity for Eustace, yet he was silent. Was he supposed to teach him how to speak to his ex-wife?
He glared at Eustace, then turned to Danika with a smile. “Danika, has Eustace been good to you lately? Let me know if he treats you badly, and I’ll deal with him for you.”
Danika smiled awkwardly and shook her head. “Thank you for the offer, Grandpa, but Mr. Quincey has never treated me badly. We’re not that close, after all.”
“Why do you say that? Whatever happens, it’s still fate that the two of you met. Eustace was young and rash back then. He didn’t know how to appreciate you. Look, he’s regretting it now.” Old Mr. Quincey looked at Eustace. If he weren’t so afraid that someone else would get together with Danika, he wouldn’t have swallowed his pride just to say this.
Regret?
Danika looked at Eustace in surprise. What had he told Old Mr. Quincey?
Eustace felt her gaze and turned to her. “I was wrong to treat you like that before, but now…”
“Leave the past in the past,” Danika interrupted. She had no desire to listen to his compunction. “I didn’t take you to be someone who dwells in the past.”
“Danika…”
“Grandpa, I know you didn’t want me to divorce him, but it already happened. Just let it go.” Danika ignored Eustace and turned to Old Mr. Quincey. “I still treat you like my own grandfather. Nothing’s changed.”
“You’re right. Nothing’s changed,” Old Mr. Quincey replied with a smile, but he had other thoughts in his mind.
How could they be together for better or for worse if they weren’t married?
But Danika’s words told him that she was resolved in this matter, and she wasn’t likely to change her mind any time soon. “I just want you to be happy. I hope you can give Eustace another chance,” he said, looking at Danika expectantly. “Nobody’s perfect, wouldn’t you agree?”
Begrudgingly, Danika nodded. “Yes, you’re right.”
“So, will you give Eustace another chance?” Old Mr. Quincey pressed.
Danika glanced at Eustace and said impassively, “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I treat Mr. Quincey the same way I treat everyone else; he has the same number of chances as they have.”
She had deftly avoided the question without refusing Old Mr. Quincey outright. Either way, her meaning was clear: Eustace Quincey was just another man in her eyes.
Old Mr. Quincey knew her underlying message, but he paid it no mind. “Did you hear that?” he said to Eustace happily, “You’re on the same level as everyone else. If you fail, then it’s all on you.”
“I understand.” Eustace nodded grimly. His heart felt heavy.
In a far corner, Yvonne glared at Danika from across the banquet hall. She gripped the wine glass in her hand tightly.
“Don’t pay too much attention to that, Yvonne,” her friend comforted. “Eustace has already divorced her. They’re unrelated now.”
“If only it’s that simple. Yvonne lowered her eyes. She knew better than anyone else that Eustace was still hung up on Danika. If this continued, then she would have no chance at all.