Remaining Days, Please Advise

Celebrating for his ex

Returning to the city center, Elena barely had time to eat lunch before rushing to do her makeup.

Tonight's event was Mr. Langer's birthday banquet. The Langer family held significant status in New York, and Elena was fortunate to receive an invitation.

After two hours of preparation, Elena drove to the venue.

Calling it a birthday banquet was somewhat misleading; it was more like a networking event for business deals.

Dressed in a matcha-green gown, Elena held a wine glass, mingling effortlessly with others about potential collaborations.

Her brown hair and radiant smile made her look captivating. With her slender waist and the fishtail design of her gown, she appeared even more graceful and charming.

Not far away, Chris inadvertently shifted his gaze from his friend.

Joshua quickly noticed Chris's distraction and smiled, "Dear Mr. Patrick, what are you looking at?"

Chris, poised and composed, glanced toward Elena.

A moment later, in a calm voice, he replied, "No one."

Joshua followed Chris's gaze, raising an eyebrow with interest.

Elena had just secured a deal and was in a good mood. As she was about to get some food, a familiar business partner pulled her aside.

"Food can wait; big shots won’t. Even if we can't strike a deal, it’s good to get acquainted."

Having been in the industry for years, Elena remained calm and followed him to two men.

"Mr. Patrick, Mr. Miller, hello," the partner said flatteringly, "This is Ms. Jones, owner of Oberlo Company."

He raised his hand to introduce them, "This is Mr. Miller, and this is... Mr. Patrick."

Joshua smiled and nodded at Elena, observing her with interest.

Elena, with a gentle smile, lifted her glass and greeted Joshua, "Mr. Miller."

Then, she saw the man behind him.

Their eyes met, and Elena was momentarily stunned.

The man before her was exceptionally handsome, with sharp features, deep-set eyes, and a composed demeanor that hinted at authority.

Elena spoke slowly, "Mr. Patrick. I've heard a lot about you. I'll drink to that!"

With that, she drank her wine in one go.

Having not eaten lunch and being busy all afternoon, the alcohol burned her empty stomach. Elena's vision darkened, and she nearly stumbled.

The man beside her quickly steadied her with his hand, holding her waist just right.

After ensuring she was stable, he discreetly withdrew his hand.

It happened so quickly that Elena only managed a quick thank you.

"Thank you, Mr. Patrick."

She was silently grateful that she hadn't fainted, which would have been embarrassing.

Chris calmly asked, as if making small talk, "Ms. Jones, are you feeling unwell?"

Elena smiled awkwardly, "Just a bit of low blood sugar, I'll be fine after a rest."

Chris nodded slightly, then remarked, "Ms. Jones, your necklace is quite unique. Is it a gift from a friend?"

"Necklace?" Elena looked down at her necklace.

It was a simple and ordinary piece, a thin gold chain with an oval pendant adorned with gold patterns and a few small pearls. The only thing of value was the perfectly cut blue sapphire.

But for someone like Mr. Patrick, who had seen countless valuable items, it seemed odd.

Elena was puzzled but replied honestly, "It was a gift from my grandmother. I've worn it for years."

Chris nodded, then said, "Ms. Jones, if you're not feeling well, you should rest."

Chris's tone was polite yet authoritative, leaving no room for argument.

Elena, though puzzled, knew better than to stay.

As she watched Elena walk away, Joshua suddenly remembered something and glanced at Chris's wrist.

If he remembered correctly, Chris always wore a bracelet with blue sapphires, one he had worn for years.

On the way, Elena asked her companion, "Is this Mr. Patrick the current head of the Patrick family?"

Her partner smiled, "In New York, the Patrick Mr. Patrick, that everyone wants to associate with, is none other than him."

Elena replied, "He certainly lives up to his reputation."

Chris Patrick of the New York Patrick family was known for his restraint and elegance, famously composed and dignified.

Elena hadn't expected to meet him in person.

After parting ways with her partner, Elena sat alone to rest.

Before long, two waitresses brought her a sumptuous meal.

Elena's gaze fell on another tray. "What's that?"

"Hangover remedy," the waitress replied.

Elena was surprised.

The meal might have been arranged by her partner, but the hangover remedy... he wasn’t that considerate.

Chris's deep but beautiful eyes flashed in her mind.

She didn't touch the remedy and left the banquet after it ended.

Since she had drunk, Elena couldn’t drive. While waiting for her driver, she received a call from Mrs. Nelson.

"Elena, we’re having a family dinner today. Your parents are here. Can you and Brian join us?"

Elena rubbed her temples, thinking about her earlier encounter with Brian, feeling inexplicably irritated but remained polite.

"Auntie, I just finished a banquet and have already eaten."

"Elena, did you attend another banquet alone?" Mrs. Nelson sighed, "Why do you push yourself so hard? It’s not like you need the money."

Elena's voice was faint but sincere, "Auntie, it's my job and my passion."

Mrs. Nelson continued, "Have you thought about what I mentioned last time?"

Elena fell silent.

"Once you and Brian are married, you’ll be the lady of the house. Shouldn’t you shift your focus? If you enjoy designing clothes, you can still do that, but let others handle management and events."

"Auntie, I started designing at thirteen. I've learned and worked hard for so long, and now I can't even show my face?"

As the Jones family’s eldest daughter, her parents had never objected to her designing. Now, marrying into the Nelson family, it suddenly became an issue.

Mrs. Nelson’s gentle voice came through, "Elena, I'm just thinking of your well-being. You could let Brian manage the company after your marriage. Wouldn’t that be nice?"

The call ended with Elena's silence.

Mrs. Nelson's words felt like a heavy stone on Elena's heart, a constant prick in her numbed soul.

Starting at thirteen, Elena's original designs were soon recognized.

In every competition she entered, she only won first place, never second. After graduating college, she founded the now-renowned Oberlo fashion company.

Now, she was expected to give it all up for marriage.

Elena felt exhausted, like after a long, arduous journey.

"Ms. Jones, we meet again?" Joshua’s voice snapped her back to reality.

Turning, she saw a black Rolls-Royce parked beside her, with Chris’s sharp features visible in the passenger seat.

"Mr. Miller, Mr. Patrick... what a coincidence."

Joshua, ever the enthusiast, offered, "Ms. Jones, where are you headed? If it’s on our way, we could give you a ride."

Elena politely declined, "No need, I have some private matters to attend to."

Even Joshua, usually so sociable, didn’t know what to say.

He glanced at Chris and rubbed his nose.

Chris, who had remained silent, suddenly spoke, his voice low and magnetic, "Ms. Jones, your designs are impressive, and your company is flourishing. It would be a pity to give up now."

Elena tried to smile, "Thanks for the encouragement."

But the word "pity" had lost its impact after six years.

Just then, Elena received a message from Anna.

"So Zara is back, no wonder you asked about her today."

Elena felt a sense of foreboding and suppressed her anxiety to ask.

"How do you know?"

"Neon Haven, Room 103. Brian and his friends are celebrating Zara's return."

Anna attached an IG screenshot from Brian's friend Aiden, showing several of Brian’s friends.

Elena checked her own IG and saw no posts about the gathering.

Everyone had hidden it from her.

The weight on her chest grew heavier, and she clutched her coat tighter against the cold.

She suddenly instructed the driver, "Change direction. Take me to Neon Haven."