Marrying A Secret Zillionaire: Happy Ever After Novel

Chapter 349: Shari, sensing the undercurrents, chose to dismiss her uneasy thoughts, assuming she was just being paranoid. Linsey's gaze meandered through the crowd, pausing when she realized Kristy was conspicuously absent. Had Kristy fled the scene in a flush of embarrassment, or was it something else? Dismissing the thought with practiced ease, Linsey redirected her attention to Shari, pulling her into a warm, welcoming conversation.

"It's really been too long, hasn't it? Seeing you here lights up the room for me," Linsey exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with genuine delight. Leaning in, she confided in a hushed tone, her breath tickling Shari's ear. "Honestly, I almost skipped this gathering, but when Kane mentioned you'd be here, I couldn't stay away."

Shari's laughter, light and liberating, filled the air as she found herself easing into the comfort of old friendship. "I actually checked with Kane too, just to make sure you'd be here. It's a relief to have a familiar face in the crowd. Really, you're making tonight so much easier for me," she admitted, her voice tinged with heartfelt sincerity.

Linsey responded with a gentle squeeze of Shari's hand, her touch comforting. "Hey, let's drop the formalities and just enjoy our time, okay?" As she chatted, she casually picked up a piece of strawberry cake and offered it to Shari. "Here, have some. You used to love this, right?"

As Shari caught sight of an extra slice of strawberry cake adorning her plate, a sudden tightness clutched her throat. She fought to contain the surge of emotions, casting a wary glance towards Linsey, hoping her distress remained unnoticed. "Thank you, Linsey," she murmured, her voice a whisper of gratitude tinged with nostalgia. Strawberry cake had once been her favorite.

The two of them lost themselves in conversation, their laughter mingling with the clink of cutlery and the occasional bite of food. They were enveloped in a cozy, convivial bubble, seemingly untouched by the world around them. Yet, their interaction didn't go unnoticed, stirring a mix of emotions among the onlookers.

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"Would you look at that? Shari and Linsey are still as close as ever. I would have thought they'd have drifted apart after losing touch for so long."

"Damn, Shari really hit the jackpot. If I had defended Linsey back then, maybe I'd have that kind of bond with her too."

"Regretting now won't change anything. Whether it was a coincidence or not, Shari walked in right after all the drama. Her timing couldn't have been better."

"You're absolutely right. If Shari had been around from the start, do you think she would have confronted Kristy in defense of Linsey?"

"Given Shari's reserved and timid nature, it's unlikely she would have ever taken a stand for Linsey. Yet, Linsey remains loyal. Even after all these years since they graduated, she still greets Shari with such warmth."

"Now that Shari's hit a rough patch and rekindled her friendship with Linsey, it's only a matter of time before Linsey helps her navigate through her troubles."

As the crowd subtly lauded Linsey, Beth, who had been stewing in her thoughts for some time, couldn't contain her irritation. She scoffed under her breath, "Please, Linsey's not as great as you all make her out to be. Stop sucking up."

"Enough, Beth! Just shut up, will you?" one of them snapped, their frustration evident. "For God's sake, it's right there! How can you not see it? Look at the designer dress Linsey's wearing. It's clear her husband adores her. You and Kristy are so fixated on Collin's disability, but he's still part of the Riley family. Do you have any idea how much wealth he manages?"

"Totally agree. I don't think Collin's situation is as dire as the rumors make it out to be. At least he's got a good heart when it comes to Linsey. As for helping Shari, Linsey could pull that off without even trying."

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