You Had Me, You Lost Me, You'll Never Find Me novel Chapter 101

Sylvia immediately pushed him away.

Ashton's gaze followed her movement downward, landing on her fingers.

"When are you getting married?"

He asked it so casually, as if prying into an ex-girlfriend's life wasn't out of line. It almost sounded like he was rushing her.

Sylvia's breath caught slightly. "Soon." After a pause, she added, "As soon as possible."

Golden light reflected off the walls and floor, while the rest of the corridor remained as dark and heavy as the deep sea.

Ashton's dark, predatory gaze fixed on her before he let out a sudden chuckle. "Good. Don't forget to invite me."

His tone was entirely dismissive, as if he couldn't care less, but that careless stare felt lined with thorns.

Sylvia pressed her lips together, staying silent. She couldn't read his mind. What kind of normal ex-boyfriend actually wanted to attend his ex's wedding?

She unconsciously rubbed the diamond ring on her left hand. She opened her mouth to speak, but Ashton had already turned and walked away, not bothering to wait for her.

-

Back in the banquet hall, everything had returned to normal.

The venue was massive. Unless people were actively trying to socialize, it was easy to go the entire night without bumping into each other.

The party dragged on until nearly eleven. Julian Sterling planned to leave early, so he took Sylvia to say their goodbyes to the host.

The host, Christian Carter, was sitting in the second-floor lounge area, chatting with the Wyatt family.

Julian greeted Christian first, then politely paid his respects to Eleanor Wyatt.

Eleanor was surprisingly warm when she saw Julian, her eyes filled with genuine admiration. Spotting the beautiful woman beside him, she smiled. "Julian, is this your girlfriend?"

Reina Winslet noticed Sylvia, and her immediate reaction was to check Ashton's face across the room.

Ashton's expression was indifferent. He sat there with a lazy, effortless sex appeal, seemingly paying no attention to the newcomers at all.

Reina let out a quiet sigh of relief.

Julian smiled and nodded.

Eleanor feigned a gentle scolding. "You silly boy, you start dating and don't even tell me? Now I haven't prepared a proper welcoming gift." With that, she began sliding a jade bracelet off her wrist to give to Sylvia.

Eleanor and Julian's mother, Harriet Preston, used to be the closest of friends. Julian had always been mature and polite since childhood, and Eleanor adored him. They had only drifted apart after Eleanor moved abroad with her husband.

Julian politely declined. "Eleanor, there's no need to go to such trouble. I just came over to let Mr. Carter know we're heading out."

Eleanor opened her mouth to insist.

Ashton lifted his heavy eyelids and let out a soft scoff. "Ms. Harlow is wearing so much jewelry already. I doubt she can carry the extra weight."

His tone dripped with sarcasm.

Sylvia looked up, meeting a gaze so hostile it felt like dragging skin across thorns.

A wave of embarrassment washed over her.

Eleanor gave Ashton a surprised look, caught off guard by him publicly targeting a young woman.

His tone was arrogant and loose, making it clear he wasn't going to be easy to deal with.

Men like him, born into ultimate wealth and power, rarely ever possessed good tempers.

Sylvia wasn't the type to hide behind Julian, so she spoke up directly. "I know I owe you a thank you. You shut down the media circus so efficiently. If it were left to me, even if I managed to handle it, it would have dragged on forever."

"So, thank you." She met his eyes with total sincerity, though her gaze remained polite and distant.

Julian held her hand and added, "I know a simple thank you isn't enough. If you ever need anything in the future, the Sterling family will step up. Consider it a debt repaid."

He was elevating a personal favor into a formal arrangement between their families.

Reina looked up at Ashton. "Ash, what are you guys talking about?"

Ashton acted as if he hadn't heard her at all. His thumb absentmindedly stroked his lighter as his eyes locked onto Sylvia and Julian's naturally intertwined hands. Suddenly, he chuckled.

"Sure. Sounds good."

Julian breathed a sigh of relief. If Ashton had decided to be difficult about this, it would have been a massive headache.

"We'll be going then."

Sylvia followed Julian out. Just as they were about to turn the corner out of sight, she inexplicably glanced back.

Ashton had the unlit cigarette clamped between his teeth. Through the misty air, catching her backward glance, he raised a hand in a mocking, distant salute.

Even from afar, his gaze carried a deeply sinister edge.

Sylvia's heart gave a terrified leap. It was glaringly obvious that Ashton wasn't as indifferent as he pretended to be.