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Back then, I tiptoed around my words, terrified that speaking too loudly would make Ethan see me as shrill and leave a bad impression. But now? I wished I had a megaphone. I grabbed Chloe's hand and swept my gaze across the room, locking eyes with everyone present.
"Let's be clear: You all know damn well I'm not a mistress. I was just naive and foolish enough to fall for someone, and I blurted it out by accident. When they slapped that label on me, it felt like the world was ending. I wanted to scream that it wasn't true, but now? I'm just disgusted—disgusted at myself for ever crushing on the wrong person. So, listen up: I regret it. From now on, I'm done pining for anyone but myself."
Although I still felt a bit uncomfortable in my heart, I could already suppress those feelings completely.
In the past, any of his actions could affect my emotions.
Now, that influence was very small and was gradually fading away.
My wounds were also gradually healing.
Hearing my words, I accidentally noticed a moment of panic in Ethan's eyes. I wasn't sure if it was just my imagination.
Maybe he thought it was embarrassing. After all, it was a bit of a blow to his vanity that his devoted admirer wasn't chasing after him anymore?
I turned tohim and said,"Ethan..."
Before I could finish, Olivia arrived. She quickly walked up to Ethan.
Ethan pulled Olivia into his arms, wrapped his arms around her slender waist, and they started kissing passionately.
In the past, I would have been unable to control my emotions.
But this time, I took a steadying breath and tugged Chloe towards the next room. We joined a group of guys who usually kept to themselves, sipping tea, swapping stories, and cracking jokes. Chloe observed me for a while and then whispered,"Do you want me to take you home later?"
"Remember to ice your eyes tonight, or they'll be swollen tomorrow."
I was stunned for a moment. In the past, every time Ethan was affectionate with another girl, I would feel uncomfortable.
Chloe, the only one who knew about my crush, looked at me now with such concern.
I laughed it off."I'm fine. I just feel like having a drink."
Chloe quickly took the glass away from me."No,You know you can't hold your liquor. If I hadn't managed to get you home while I was still a bit drunk last time, you probably would have said a lot more nonsense."
She snatched the wine glass from me, and the red wine spilled all over me.
I quickly got up and went to the restroom to deal with the stains on my dress.
But it was a case of"wherever you go, there you are."I ran into Olivia in the restroom.
The moment she saw me, her eyes suddenly turned cold, and her tone was so eerie.
I tried to back out of the restroom, but she blocked my way.
"Lily, you have some nerve. Did you say those things on purpose today to get his attention?"
I thought it was ridiculous. Since when did she get to police my words?
"You're not my keeper. I can say whatever I want."
"Lily,You're shameless. You're a mistress and you're still so brazen. If I were you, I'd crawl into a hole and never show my face again."
Was she blaming me for meeting Ethan?
Unbelievable. There were still half a month until my uncle's business investment conference.
Ethan being the key investor, I wasn't going anywhere.
I couldn't help but point at Olivia. Just as I was about to retort, she suddenly let out a moan and then fell to the ground.
