Reborn As Mr. Coldwell's Wife
Chapter 25: Party

Chapter 25: Party

Ellen stepped out of the car and looked up at the luxury nightclub in front of her, feeling nervous and intrigued at the same time. The neon lights glowed brightly, illuminating the sleek, modern exterior. People dressed in their finest attire streamed inside, laughter and conversation filling the air. This was her first time at such an extravagant venue, and she couldn’t help but feel a little out of place.

Inside, the club was even more impressive. The main area was expansive, with high ceilings and walls adorned with shimmering lights. A massive chandelier hung in the center, casting a soft glow over the dance floor. Music thumped through the speakers, filling the room with energy. Waiters in crisp uniforms moved gracefully through the crowd, carrying trays of drinks and appetizers.

Ellen walked beside Mason, her hand gripping the bag with the gift inside tightly for support. She tried to hide her discomfort, but the place was really lavish, almost overwhelming. She glanced around, taking in the sight of beautifully dressed people chatting and dancing like they were born to it.

As they ventured further into the club, Gerald suddenly appeared, his face lit up with a big smile. He pulled Mason into a hug. "I’m so glad you could make it, dude!" he exclaimed.

Mason responded with a simple, "Happy birthday, Gerald."

Gerald beamed. "Thank you! And I have to say, I love the gift. It’s perfect."

Ellen remembered their conversation in the car on the way to the party. She had asked Mason what he was going to do about his gift, knowing he hadn’t bought anything. Mason had casually mentioned that he’d had Philip buy some shares in a tech company, Ellen had forgotten the name of it, as a present for Gerald. Ellen had been stunned at how effortlessly the wealthy handled such things, so different from her own upbringing.

Gerald turned his attention to Ellen, giving her a warm smile. "Mason, why don’t you introduce me to your lovely wife properly?" he asked.

Mason shrugged. "You met her at the wedding."

Gerald chuckled and shook his head. "You’re no fun, Mason." He extended his hand to Ellen. "Gerald Gray, Mason’s good friend. Nice to meet you."

Ellen shook his hand, returning his smile. "Nice to meet you too, Gerald. Happy birthday." She handed him a paper bag. "I hope you like it."

Gerald accepted the gift with a nod. "Thank you, Ellen. I’m sure I will." He glanced around the room, his eyes twinkling with excitement. "Please, enjoy the party. I need to say hi to the others."

Ellen watched as Gerald moved away, being all friendly and easygoing. He seemed like the perfect host, greeting everyone with a smile and a kind word. Despite seeming friendly, Ellen couldn’t shake the feeling of unease. She knew too well that Gerald was a key player in the attempts to destroy her marriage.

She sighed and looked around, only to realize Mason had disappeared. Her heart sank. How could he leave her alone in a place like this? She felt a wave of frustration but pushed it aside, determined not to let it ruin her evening.

Ellen started to walk through the crowd, but everyone seemed like strangers. The room felt even more overwhelming now that she was alone. She could feel eyes on her, and it made her uncomfortable. She forced herself to keep moving, not wanting to appear lost or out of place.

Ellen decided to head to the bar, seeking refuge from the overwhelming crowd. She settled onto one of the tall stools, taking a moment to collect her thoughts. The bartender approached, and she ordered a simple cocktail, something to calm her nerves. As she sipped her drink, she glanced around the room, seeing everyone having a good time. People were dancing, their bodies swaying to the rhythm of the music, while others laughed and chatted, clearly enjoying themselves.

She felt a pang of loneliness, watching everyone around her so immersed in the festivities. It wasn’t that she didn’t appreciate the invitation; it was just that this world felt so foreign to her. Her thoughts were interrupted when she saw Gerald approaching. He took a seat beside her, his presence instantly drawing the attention of those nearby.

"Enjoying the party?" Gerald asked, his voice smooth and friendly.

Ellen forced a smile, still unsure about his intentions. "It’s great. Thank you for inviting me."

Gerald laughed lightly. "What are you saying? You’re Mason’s wife. Of course, I invited you."

Ellen’s smile tightened, trying to hide her suspicion. Gerald’s charm was undeniable, but she knew better than to let her guard down.

"I’m really happy Mason is married now," Gerald continued. "He finally has someone by his side. If he ever annoys you or does anything funny, just let me know. I’ll straighten him out."

Ellen’s mind raced. Isn’t that exactly what you want? For Mason to leave me and go back to Aubrey?

"Thanks," Ellen replied, her tone neutral. "I’ll keep that in mind."

Gerald leaned back, his eyes scanning the crowd. "I’ve known Mason since we were kids. We’ve been through a lot together. But I wasn’t his only close friend. Do you remember Aubrey? She was at your wedding."

Ellen nodded, feeling a tightness in her chest. She knew all too well about Aubrey.

Gerald’s expression softened, almost lost in thought. "You know, they were really close. They even dated for a while." He paused, then looked regretful. "Gosh, I shouldn’t have said that."

"Really?" Ellen asked, feigning surprise. "Mason never told me this."

"Don’t worry," Gerald said quickly. "They’re just good friends now. They meet often, but there’s nothing going on between them."

This man... Ellen could see through his attempts to make her question things. If he truly wanted her not to worry, why tell her about Mason and Aubrey’s past? She kept her composure, refusing to let his words affect her.

"Thanks for letting me know," she said calmly.

Gerald shrugged it off. "Oh, speaking of the devil, there they are."

Ellen followed his gaze, her heart sinking when she saw Mason and Aubrey standing so close together.