NOVEL WEB Chapter 673: Once the evening begins, nothing could be undone.
Even though she said it like that, something in her words made Aiden feel unconvinced. He felt like she was playing with her words to make him believe something.
Could she be …?
Before the doubt could strike him, she intervened, "Oh yes, I almost forgot what I called you for." She, then, smoothly switched the subject and said, "I called you to confirm the arrangement of the evening today. Will you be coming to pick me up? Or, —"
"I will be there, Moon," he confirmed.
Arwen smiled and hummed. "Fine, then be on time. Don't make me wait for long. I have no plans of staying at the party for long."
"I will be on time. Just come out when you are done," he affirmed, and his words made Arwen blink.
"What do you mean by that?" she asked. "Don't tell me you are going to wait outside from the start till the end?"
He didn't respond immediately, but his silence was enough of a confirmation.
Arwen pursed her lips and refuted the idea, "Aiden, you don't have to do that. It would be uncomfortable for you and —"
"Moon," he intervened in smoothly, his voice holding the patience he has always had around her. "I have every right to do that. I have every right to be there for you when you need me around."
Her breath hitched. She wanted to refuse him, but how could she when he put it like that?
"Fine, then, wait for me. I will not take long." She, anyway, wasn't planning to stay for long. And with him, waiting out, she would have a stronger reason to leave as early as possible.
They talked for a bit more, and then, saying that she was going to get ready for the evening, she hung up the call.
Once disconnected, Arwen stared out of the window, and Aiden's previous words rang back from earlier.
I set the trap to capture something that I have long craved. I lied and played dark just so that I could succeed in getting what I couldn't bear to lose.
A smile lifted the corner of her lips as she shook her head. She knew it. After all, in the world they lived in, such strong coincidences couldn't just be mere coincidences.
If they are, then they are nothing but well-crafted traps laid out with strong intent.
Same as one set for her to step in.
A knock at the door made her turn to check.
"Madam, the people you invited are here," Mr. Jones came to inform.
Arwen turned to glance at the time once and then nodded. "Please ask them to wait for me. I will be there soon."
Mr. Jones nodded at her and then turned to leave.
Arwen waited for him to walk away, and then she walked to her closet to get out something she had plans on wearing tonight.
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Meanwhile, on the other side of the city,
The arrangements for the evening's party were receiving final touches. As per Catrin's instructions, Lia was overseeing every detail.
Although everything was set exactly as Catrin had requested, Lia couldn't shake off a gnawing doubt. She had an odd feeling that, by the end of the day, nothing would go according to plan.
From where she stood, taking in the glittering décor and polished setting, she could already sense that the evening wasn't going to turn out to be good.
She dreaded that by the end of the night; her boss might not just lose her calm but also everything that she had put at stake.
"Ms. Lia, we have completed everything from our side," one of the event management staff approached, bowing slightly. "But you can take another look in case there is anything we have missed."
Lia scanned the hall once more, her eyes seeping over the flower arrangements, the lighting, the crystal glasses lined up with precision.
Finally, she shook her head. "No, it's all done. I have already checked every detail." She paused before adding, "Just one last thing —leave a few of your best staff here on standby. If anything comes up, I want them ready to act immediately."
The man nodded. "That goes without saying, Ms. Lia. We will have our top people remain until the end of the event."
As the staff dispersed, Lia remained where she was. She watched everyone scatter before she turned to make a call to Catrin.
The call was answered right after a few rings, and she greeted politely. "Madam!"
"Is everything arranged perfectly?" Catrin's voice came from the other end.
Mia nodded. "Yes, Madam. I have personally looked over everything. They have arranged it well and everything is in place."
"Good then," Catrin hummed in approval. "Make sure whatever happens today hits the news tomorrow. I want this event to turn out to be a success."
"Madam," Lia hesitated. "I think you should reconsider it. If this —"
"Lia!" Before she could say more, Catrin's sharp snap halted her. "You don't need to make me reconsider anything. Just make sure everything is arranged as I have asked you."
"But ma'am —"
"Go and meet our lawyer. Ask him to be on time with the papers I have asked him to prepare." Catrin instructed, and at the dismissal like that, Lia could speak anymore.
"Understood, ma'am. I will go and meet him right away." She affirmed, hearing which Catrin hummed before hanging up.
As the beep of disconnection rang in her ears, Lia sighed in her heart. Now, she just hoped that President Quinn would arrive on time to stop everything. Or else, no one else would be able to save the situation.
Her gaze dropped to check the time on her watch. Not much time was left. In just another couple of hours, the evening will begin, and then, nothing could be undone.
Taking her phone again, she looked in her phonebook to dial the lawyer's number. As Catrin had asked her, she has to make sure he arrives with the papers on time.