The CEO Who Searched the World for Me
Chapter 5
Seeing her, Tristan couldn’t hide his excitement. He walked over and pretended to have a polite small talk with Lisa.
But the way his hands fidgeted and the unspoken emotions flickering in his eyes didn’t escape Nicole’s notice.
"Miss Snow, happy birthday," Lisa said as she handed over a gift. "This is for you. I hope you like it."
"How thoughtful of you, Miss Evans." Nicole took the gift, though her expression remained far from warm.
"Why is Lisa Evans here?"
A few guests exchanged surprised glances.
"Exactly. She’s just an actress. What’s she doing at an event like this?"
"Careful what you say. Actress or not, did you notice the diamond necklace she’s wearing?"
"My God, how could someone like her afford something so expensive?"
Nicole’s gaze shifted to Lisa’s neck, and she noticed the exquisite necklace.
She recognized it instantly.
It was the same necklace Tristan had gifted her in their second year of marriage. He’d told her it was one of only two in the world and had bought it especially for her.
Now, the second necklace was around Lisa’s neck.
A sharp, unexpected pain struck her heart as she gripped the gift in her hand more tightly.
"Are you all talking about this necklace?" Lisa asked with a provocative smile, casting a glance at Nicole. "I heard Miss Snow has one too?"
"Yes," Nicole replied coldly, her voice steady. "Who gave this one to you, Miss Evans?"
"My boyfriend gave it to me," Lisa said smugly. "He loves me very much. He even flew overseas a few days before my birthday to bid on it just for me."
She deliberately looked at Tristan as she spoke, her words dripping with provocation.
Tristan’s expression darkened, but Lisa didn’t seem to care.
Nicole took a deep breath, forcing herself to remain calm.
"I didn’t expect Miss Evans to already have a boyfriend.”
"Of course. We’ve been together for two years, and we’re deeply in love. Probably even more in love than you and your husband," Lisa replied, her voice laced with provocation.
"Does Miss Snow want to know who my boyfriend is?"
Nicole raised an eyebrow, deliberately playing along. "I’m quite curious, Miss Evans. Do you dare to tell me who he is?”
Feeling displeased, Lisa nearly blurted out, "My boyfriend is Tristan—"
"That’s enough."
Tristan’s face darkened as his gaze landed on the necklace Lisa was wearing.
"Miss Evans, today is my wife’s birthday. We’re not interested in who your boyfriend is."
"Mr. Ford, I was just wondering who’s more devoted—my boyfriend to me, or you to Miss Snow?" Lisa said, unwilling to back down but not daring to say more outright.
"Of course, I love Nicky the most," Tristan said without a moment's hesitation. "There isn’t anyone in the world who loves her more than I do."
His quick response made Lisa’s face pale with anger, her expression twitching with frustration.
Nicole glanced up at Tristan, her face calm but her stomach churning with disgust. His words made her nauseous; she felt as if she might vomit.
"Nicky, are you alright?" Tristan asked, noticing her discomfort and quickly moving to support her.
Nicole pushed him away. "I’m just a little tired."
"Why don’t I help you upstairs after we look at the gifts?"
He clapped his hands, signaling the butler, who promptly began the fireworks display outside.
Fireworks exploded one after another over the yard, their bright sparks scattering across the night sky and illuminating everything below.
The vibrant colors intertwined, creating a dazzling visual feast that left the guests in awe.
"Wow, this is incredible! Miss Snow is so lucky to have Mr. Ford," someone exclaimed.
"True love, right? Remember when Mr. Ford had liver issues? Miss Snow donated part of hers without hesitation. It’s only fair that he treats her so well!"
"This is so romantic. I’m honestly dying of envy."
The crackling sound of fireworks and the murmurs of admiration blended together, but for Nicole, it felt suffocating.
Every second she stayed, every glance at Tristan’s fake, perfect smile, made her heart ache and her body feel heavier.
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