Chapter 1145

Scott's impatience was obvious-he didn't bother to hide it, and it stung Juliana deeply.

She hurried after him down the stairs, but Scott had already told the driver to go, and the car was gone.

Furious, Juliana flung her limited-edition handbag onto the sofa. "Scott, you jerk!" Layna came over quietly. "Mom, isn't Uncle taking us? Is he mad?"

"Don't let what your uncle said bother you, Layna,” Juliana tried to reassure her, forcing a smile. "If he won't take us, we'll just go by ourselves."

Layna was anxious. "But Mom, if Uncle finds out, he'll be upset. Let's just drop it. Please don't fight with him." Layna was worried-now that Juliana had lost her place in this house, Layna felt it too.

Juliana hated the thought of Scott being angry, but she couldn't just swallow her pride.

"Layna, you should go to school. I'll ask the housekeeper to take you,” Juliana said, giving in because she wanted to fix things with Scott.

After the housekeeper left with Layna, Juliana called Sandy for help. "Sandy, my husband doesn't care about me at all anymore. Today is Mr. Walker's son's baby party, and he won't even take me. Has he fallen out of love? You've been at the company for ages have you noticed anything weird? Is there another woman?"

Sandy was still at work and was already tired of hearing Juliana complain.

She pulled the office blinds shut and said, "You're overthinking. Your husband isn't seeing anyone else. Everything's fine. Did you do something to make him mad again?"

“I didn't do anything!" Juliana snapped. “I just wanted to go to the party with him, but he said no. It must be because Anastasia is going. He doesn't want me there. Sandy, please keep an eye out for me. Don't let any other woman get close to him."

"Relax, I'll watch for you," Sandy replied halfheartedly. "I have work to finish. We'll talk later."

She hung up, already hatching a plan. Tonight was the perfect chance-Scott and Juliana had fought, so Scott would be distracted and probably drink too much at the party.

Sandy left the office, her mind made up.

At the Le Manoir Prestige ballroom, the place was packed. Scott was already there, and Carter had arrived with his wife, Lisa.

Carter spotted Scott and asked, "Herman isn't here yet?"

Everyone knew Herman and Mr. Walker were close. The party was about to start, and Herman still hadn't shown up.

“I just got here too, haven't seen him," Scott said. “Maybe he's stuck in traffic. Didn't you bring your son?"

Carter grinned. "That kid's actually

into school now. His grades are up, too. Last practice test, he was top of the class. I thought he must've. cheated, but turns out Paradise was first in the whole grade. Guess my boy's finally got some fight in him."

Scott smiled. “They aren't even in the same grade. What's the point of comparing?”

"Doesn't matter, as long as he's trying," Carter said, shrugging. "Paradise is a bright kid. Having her as a role model makes things easier for me."

Lisa chimed in, her tone a bit tart. "Our son just hasn't put his mind to it. If he actually tried, he'd be top of the grade too. He barely studies and still gets first in his class. Hett outshine Paradise in the end just wait."

"It's good he's doing well," Carter said. “But there's no need to compare, Andrew's the older brother

and a boy he should set an

example if he gets top of the građe, that's how it should be. If he@oesn't, then he's not living up to

who

expectations."

In other words, Andrew was supposed to excel—anything less was disappointing. "How can you say that about your own son..." Lisa started, but trailed off as Scott glanced toward the entrance. "Herman and Anastasia are here.”

Lisa and Carter turned to look. Herman walked in, hand-in-hand with Anastasia.

Anastasia wore a modern twist on a traditional gown, her hair swept up elegantly. She looked stunning-graceful, confident, and impossible to ignore.

Most women at the party wore cocktail dresses, but Anastasia's outfit had a classic, vintage flair that made her stand out. She carried an air of timeless elegance that caught everyone's eye.

Lisa's voice turned jealous. “Herman never lets go of Anastasia, does he? You'd think they want the whole world to see just how in love they are."