Chapter 157 Hitchhiking18 min leftEveryone exchanged glances, wondering if this was the surprise Giselle had prepared.If so, it was certainly shocking-though hardly pleasant.It quickly became clear from Giselle's mortified expression and the tears welling in her eyes that this wasn't a planned surprise -it was an accident.When the party coordinator shouted to cut the livestream and someone rushed to help Giselle away, everyone's suspicions were confirmed.Giselle had thrown exactly 25 birthday parties. This was the first time anything like this had happened.Her parents recovered quickly. Facing their bewildered guests with awkward smiles, they explained that Giselle was simply playing a prank.Nobody bought it.Giselle had always cultivated the image of a refined,accomplished young woman. Why would she suddenly abandon all decorum and humiliate herself in front of everyone?But since the hosts were brushing it off, the guests couldn't press the issue.21:04Chapter 157 Hitchhiking(***) 18 min leftStill, an uncomfortable tension lingered over the party. Giselle never reappeared,and by nine o'clock, most guests had departed.Alistair had arrived with Yves, who now felt obligated to drivehim home."Thanks, but I've got a ride," Alistair said with a smile.Yves assumed Alistair was just being polite, smiling, "A ride? With whom?"They were in the middle of nowhere-no taxis, no buses. Unless he'd called an Uber, but even then, who knew how long it wouldtake?Being single with no family obligations, Yves insisted on driving Alistair home."My wife," Alistair replied, his smile carrying just a hint ofsmugness.Yves blinked in surprise. "Your wife's here?"Right on cue, a Rolls-Royce pulled up beside them.Julian stepped out and opened the rear door for Alistair with an exaggerated flourish, bowing.21:04Chapter 157 HitchhikingAlistair cringed at the theatrics.→ 18 min leftYves clearly didn't run in Caroline's circles and had no idea whoJulian was.Otherwise, he would have immediately realized that Alistair's wife was the president of Vireon Technologies.Under Julian's mischievous gaze, Alistair said goodbye to Yves and slid into thecar.Caroline watched Yves through the window until Alistair got in, then turned her full attention to him.As Alistair buckled his seatbelt, he asked, "Why didn't I see you at the party?" "Did you guess I'd be here? Is that why you came with Mr.Robinson?""Partly," Alistair admitted. "But also because Mr. Robinson's always been good to me. I felt bad turning him down again."Caroline narrowed her eyes slightly, a silent warning to choose his words carefully."But mostly," Alistair added quickly, "I thought you'd be here. I wanted to create a chance meeting."Julian, immune to their displays of affection by now, interjected21:04Chapter 157 Hitchhikingwith a grin, "Hoping to surprise Ms. Ashbourne?""Turns out Carol was the one with surprises," Alistair said, glancing at Carolinewith something clearly on his mind."Just say it," Caroline said. "It's only us here."18 min leftTrue enough—even if he was overthinking things, there was no one around to mock his overactive imagination."About Giselle falling in the water..."."I pushed her," Caroline said before he could finish.Alistair's eyes widened slightly as he studied his calm wife. "You didn't get hurt, did you?""Getting hurt' is no longer in my book," Caroline replied matter-of-factly. "Shouldn't you be asking why I pushed her?"Alistair wasn't sure if Julian knew about the history between Caroline and Giselle and preferred not to discuss it.Compared to his wife pushing someone into a pool, he cared far more about whether she'd been harmed.Other people's problems weren't his concern."I'm sure you had your reasons," he said simply.21:04Chapter 157 HitchhikingJulian made a mental note.18 min leftWhen I get a girlfriend, as long as it's not a matter of principle, always put her first.Maybe then my love life won't be a mess.Alistair's thoughts turned serious.Caroline had humiliated Giselle publicly, embarrassing Reeves Group. They'dsurely retaliate.Though Caroline was an Ashbourne, she wasn't the favored daughter.But seeing her complete lack of concern, Alistair relaxed.Despite her youth, Caroline had a compelling presence that inspired confidence.She seemed to have everything under control.When she'd decided to push Giselle, she'd clearly already planned for the consequences.*****After most guests had departed, Giselle's parents inquired, "Giselle, what happened today? Why did you—”This year's party had been their most elaborate yet. They'd planned to announceher takeover of Stellar Films and leverage the online buzz to link her with Leo.21:04Chapter 157 HitchhikingBut her fall into the pool had ruined everything.18 min leftnoveldramaGiselle had changed into dry clothes, but her hair remained disheveled, her eyesred and puffy from crying.She'd been adored since childhood, the picture of grace and nobility. To suddenly become a laughingstock was unbearable."A woman pushed Ms. Reeves," said a young woman in a white gown, hermakeup delicate. "I saw it happen."This was Anne, whom Alistair knew.As a minor actress, Anne shouldn't have rated an invitation to Giselle's party.But she had another identity-the daughter of a prominent New York entrepreneur.Write your commenttr Gifts