Chapter 99: The Distance Between Us

By the time Wade and Ana returned to the ballroom, the engagement ceremony had already begun.

Grand crystal chandeliers illuminated the magnificent hall while soft classical music drifted through the air.

The elite families of Cracros, Rithol, and Greendale stood gathered before the beautifully decorated stage, their attention fixed on the couple at the center of it all.

Theodore gently took Eleanor’s trembling hand. With a tender smile, he carefully slid the diamond ring onto her finger.

Eleanor looked up at him, her cheeks flushed pink, before taking the matching ring and placing it on Theodore’s finger.

The ballroom erupted into loud applause.

William Ashridge laughed heartily. "Finally! This brat is engaged."

Laughter spread through the crowd. Camera flashes lit up the hall one after another as photographers captured the happy couple from every angle.

Theodore intertwined his fingers with Eleanor’s.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Nickolas Ashridge announced warmly, "Thank you all for blessing our families today. We hope Theodore and Eleanor walk together for a lifetime." Another round of applause echoed through the ballroom.

Theodore lowered his gaze toward Eleanor. "You look beautiful." Eleanor smiled shyly.

Near the back of the ballroom, Ana quietly entered beside Wade as though nothing unusual had happened.

Only the small white bandage hidden beneath her neatly arranged curls hinted at the terrifying incident from minutes earlier. Wade’s eyes drifted toward it. "It still hurts?"

"A little."

"I’m sorry."

Ana blinked. "You... are apologizing?"

"I should’ve reached earlier."

She stared at him for a long moment before shaking her head.

"If you hadn’t come..." Her voice caught in her throat. She couldn’t bring herself to finish the sentence.

Instead, she smiled. "I’m perfectly fine."

Wade studied her for a second before nodding. "Good."

Across the hall, Mindy finally spotted them. Her brows knitted together immediately. Her eyes landed on the tiny bandage peeking from beneath Ana’s hair.

She looked at Wade. He met her gaze and gave the slightest shake of his head.

"I’ll tell you later."

Mindy understood. Without asking another question, she walked over and quietly held Ana’s hand.

Ana smiled. "I’m fine." Mindy squeezed her fingers gently.

Andrew stood beside Daniel Bose. When he saw Ana laughing with Mindy and Wade, the tightness in his chest finally disappeared. He let out a long breath.

Daniel noticed. "You look tense." Andrew forced a smile.

"Nothing. Everything’s fine." Daniel nodded before looking back toward Theodore and Eleanor on stage.

"They look good together."

"They do," Andrew replied absentmindedly.

Across the ballroom, Missy’s eyes searched for Layton. He was standing with Sebastian and Lucian, speaking casually.

Drake, meanwhile, was enthusiastically discussing King’s Meadow with several businessmen, unable to hide the satisfaction on his face.

Just then, a young woman approached her.

"You must be Miss Hawthorne." Missy turned. For a brief second, surprise crossed her face. The elegant young woman extended her hand confidently.

"Margaret Ashridge."

Missy’s smile immediately brightened.

"It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Ashridge."

Everyone in Cracros knew Margaret Ashridge—the only daughter of the Ashridge family. Whether because of her family name or her own influence, countless young women tried to befriend her.

Missy had never expected Margaret to approach her first.

They exchanged greetings politely. Then Margaret asked casually, "You know Ana Bose, don’t you?"

Missy nodded. "Yes. She’s my step-sister’s best friend."

Margaret smiled faintly. "Your sister doesn’t have very good taste."

Missy understood instantly. Margaret disliked Ana. She softened her expression. "My sister is a good person. She simply gets manipulated very easily."

Margaret’s smile deepened. "I’ve heard Miss Wilson is very talented. It’s unfortunate she keeps such poor company."

Missy sighed as though burdened. "They’ve been inseparable since school."

Margaret nodded knowingly. Without another word, she unlocked her phone.

"Give me your number. I’ll add you to our group chat. All the girls there come from reputable families. You should be part of it."

For the first time that evening, Missy’s smile became genuine. Margaret Ashridge’s personal circle—that alone was worth cultivating.

"Thank you. If you ever need anything from me, please don’t hesitate."

Margaret nodded before walking away. Missy stared at the newly saved contact. A satisfied smile slowly appeared.

Then she quietly walked toward an empty corner of the ballroom. She looked around carefully to ensure no one was watching.

A passing waiter stopped beside her. She discreetly slipped several bills into his pocket before whispering something into his ear.

The waiter hesitated. For a moment, he looked conflicted.

Then he silently nodded. "I understand." He walked away. Missy watched him disappear into the crowd. A faint smile curved her lips.

Meanwhile, the crowded ballroom suddenly felt suffocating to Mindy. She quietly slipped outside. The cool evening breeze brushed against her face. She closed her eyes and took a slow breath.

"You’ll catch a cold."

A familiar voice sounded behind her. She turned. Layton stood several feet away. His injured hand was still wrapped in a bandage.

Unlike before, he deliberately kept his distance. He knew she no longer welcomed his presence.

Mindy looked at him expressionlessly. "Please keep your fake concern to yourself."

Silence lingered between them. Finally, she spoke again.

"Let’s get divorced when we return to Greendale."

Layton’s grip tightened around the stone railing. "No."

Mindy let out an irritated sigh. "I only agreed to postpone it because you gave us the lead about Angel Tear. I have the tiara now. So there’s no reason for us to remain married."

She looked directly into his eyes. "You don’t like me. I don’t like you. We should both move on."

Layton looked away before muttering, "I never said I don’t like you."

She heard every word. Her eyes widened slightly. Then she laughed. It wasn’t a happy laugh. It was tired. Disbelieving.

"Are you joking... or playing another game, President Knight? If you liked me, you would’ve never treated me the way you did. You treated me worse than a maid."

Her voice remained calm. Far calmer than before. Then she tilted her head slightly.

"Did Missy put you up to this? Let me guess. She cried about Elvaris Valley. Or maybe she told you I was lying. And now you’ve come to make things right? The same way you handed me divorce papers because she claimed I stole her designs?"

Layton lowered his eyes. "I haven’t confronted her about that yet."

Mindy stared at him. Then laughed again.

"That’s even more pathetic. I guess that’s the difference between the person you love and the person you merely tolerate. You don’t even have the courage to ask her the truth." There wasn’t even anger anymore. Only disappointment.

Layton finally spoke again. "I don’t love her. There is... someone behind her."

He stopped himself. He couldn’t drag Mindy into that darkness. "Forget it."

But she had already caught it. Her entire body stiffened. She looked at him sharply. "You know who he is?" She deliberately emphasized the word.

Layton froze. How did she know about him? He slowly asked, "What do you know?"

Mindy shook her head.

"Nothing. I only know there’s someone both Emily and Missy are afraid of. I thought it was you. You’ve always been Missy’s biggest supporter."

A bitter smile crossed her lips. "Apparently she has plenty." She looked directly at him. "Do you know who he is?"

Layton’s expression changed ever so slightly. Mindy noticed. She had known him for half her life. She could read his silence better than his words.

After a few seconds, she sighed. "I guess you don’t want to tell me. That’s fine. I don’t need you anymore."

She smiled sadly. "Well... I never really had you in the first place. I’ll deal with it myself."

Then she sighed. "I just want a divorce. I hate seeing your face. And I hate that I’m tied to you in any way."

Without waiting for an answer, she turned and walked away. Layton remained standing beneath the night sky. Her words echoed endlessly inside his mind.

"I never really had you in the first place."

"I’ll deal with it myself."

"I hate that I’m tied to you in any way."

Inside the mansion, Missy stood near the window, watching Mindy and Layton speak in the garden.

The sight made her fingers curl into a tight fist.

Margaret noticed her expression and followed her gaze.

A knowing smirk touched her lips.

"Are they close?"

Missy forced a smile.

"Yes. They’ve known each other since childhood."

Margaret glanced at her.

"Aren’t you Mr. Knight’s girlfriend?"

Missy’s smile remained gentle.

"No. We’re just close friends."

"Oh."

Margaret’s gaze shifted back toward the garden.

"You should be careful. It seems Mr. Knight may be interested in Miss Wilson."

Missy let out a soft laugh.

Her expression remained composed, but the smile in her eyes turned cold.

"No. That won’t happen."

Margaret raised an eyebrow.

"You sound very certain."

Missy looked through the window at Mindy.

Her voice lowered.

"I am."

She tightened her grip on the edge of her dress.

"Layton will never choose her over me."

Outside, Layton was still thinking of their conversation, completely unaware of the resentment burning behind the glass.

Missy’s smile slowly faded.

She had already lost too much.

She would never allow Mindy to take Layton from her.

Not again.