More Than A Favor

Chapter 345 Chapter 345 Granger still didn't pay any attention.

Just then, someone happened to cover and greet him.

The newcomer also knew Charlene and Stewart.

The four of them started chatting.

Leah was left standing awkwardly on the sidelines, feeling increasingly embarrassed until she had no choice but to make her exit.

Meanwhile, across the room, Moran looked over at Granger and said, "Granger seems to be hitting it off more and more with them." By "them,” it was clear Moran meant Charlene and Stewart.

Vesta nodded in agreement.

After all, if Granger and Stewart were merely business partners, a quick hello and spolite small talk would have sufficed at such an event.

But here Granger was, engrossed in conversation with Stewart and Charlene, suggesting they were on the brink of friendship.

To Vesta, it made sense that Granger would befriend Stewart, as Stewart was certainly the kind of person worth getting to know.

Charlene was just a part of the package.

Thorne glanced over at Charlene and Stewart but didn't seem too fazed.

Vesta turned her gaze away from them and happened to notice Gaylord Hearst make his entrance into the banquet hall.

Thorne followed her gaze and spotted Gaylord too.

Dressed formally, Gaylord looked even more striking and aloof than usual.

When Gaylord noticed Vesta and Thorne, he briefly met Vesta's eyes before turning away to join his friends, entering the hall from the side.

Vesta watched him go, sighing with a helpless smile. "I guess he's still mad atfor tipping off his family about his whereabouts. He hasn't been taking my calls, and now he's ignoringeven in person." Thorne remarked, "Mr. Hearst is still young. It's only natural for him to be a bit hot-headed." Vesta couldn't disagree.

Unaware of what Vesta and Thorne thought, Gaylord had just stepped into the room and was about to greet the host when he caught sight of Charlene and Stewart.

His grip on his wine glass tightened momentarily.

He hadn't expected Charlene and Stewart to attend the party tonight.

Charlene was decked out in a pale blue gown with fancy embroidery that really showed off her calm and classy vibe. She looked absolutely breathtaking.

It was the first tGaylord had seen Charlene in such attire. He found it hard to tear his eyes away.

Noticing Gaylord's distraction, his friend followed his gaze and, upon seeing Charlene, exclaimed, "Wow, she's gorgeous! Who is she?" Gaylord snapped back to reality, replying, "Charlene." "Charlene?! That's Charlene? She's that beautiful?" 1/2 15:18 Chapter 345 Gaylord didn't respond, setting down his wine glass and making his way over to Charlene and Stewart. "Mr. Ferguson, Ms. Ross." Charlene and Stewart turned, surprised to see Gaylord.

They hadn't expected him at the event either.

They nodded in acknowledgment.

Granger turned to see Gaylord and asked, "And who might this be?" Stewart introduced him, "This is Mr. Hearst." He briefly explained Gaylord's background and then introduced Granger, "This is Mr. Harden." Granger recalled hearing about the Hearst family from Starfall City before. After Stewart's introduction, he greeted Gaylord, "Mr. Hearst." After exchanging pleasantries, the group began to chat.

Throughout the conversation, Gaylord's gaze frequently drifted back to Charlene.

Moreover, the way he looked at Charlene- Noticing this, Granger's grip on his wine glass tightened, and he glanced over at Ga Gaylord caught his look and returned it.

As their eyes met, an understanding passed between them. They both realized each other's feelings for Charlene.

With that recognition, they fell into a tense silence.

Chapter 345 Chapter 345 Granger still didn't pay any attention.

Just then, someone happened to cover and greet < More Than A Favor Chapter 1 "Be honest. Did you ever sleep with Elaine?" Okeaner The deep, low voice cut through the crack in the door, freezingin my tracks. My hand hovered over the doorknob.

Through the narrow gap, I could see Logan Mercer lounging on the couch, his jaw tight, his lips pressed into a thin line.

"She's tried," he said flatly. "But I wasn't interested." "Con, Logan," his best friend, Caleb Turner, replied with a laugh that carried a hint of disbelief. "Don't sell her short. Everyone knows Elaine's gorgeous. She's got half the guys in our circle chasing after her." Logan tipped his head back slightly, his brows pulling together. "You don't get it. We've known each other too long. It's like..." He hesitated, searching for the words. "It's like knowing what's behind every door before you open it. There's no mystery left." My chest tightened as I listened from the hallway.

I first met Logan when I was fourteen. Back then, everyone toldhe was the person I'd marry. I was sent to live at the Mercer estate, and for ten years, we'd been tied together-sharing a house, a life, a future, or sol thought.

Caleb chuckled, breaking my thoughts. "So you're saying you see too much of her? What, you know how many times she sneezes in a day? How often she checks the mirror?" His teasing tone shifted into something more reflective. "You know, Logan, relationships don't work like that anymore. People want excitement. They crave the chase. It's only fun when you can't have what you want." Logan didn't respond. He just sat there, smoke curling up from the cigarette he'd lit.

"So," Caleb pressed, leaning forward, "are you still going to marry her?" My breath caught.

• 09:09 < Chapter 1 *+5Bonus > Menu Logan' parents had pushed for us to get married, but he'd never givena clear answer. I hadn't dared to ask. Now, Caleb was doing it for me.

Logan exhaled a slow stream of smoke, his silence stretching into the room.

"Not answering, huh?" Caleb smirked. "Letguess. You don't want to marry her." "That's not it," Logan replied, his tone clipped.

"Then what? You're willing to marry her, but you're not exactly thrilled about it?" Caleb's grim widened, as if he'd struck a nerve. He knew Logan too well. Logan leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "Ever heard this saying?" he asked.

Caleb raised an eyebrow. "What saying?" "Sthings hold no real value, but you still can't seem to let them go." The words hitlike a punch to the stomach. My grip tightened on the marriage license application I was holding, the paper crumpling slightly beneath my fingers.

"So," Caleb said, his voice quieter now, "what's it going to be? Are you marrying her or not?" Logan glanced up, his lips curving into a faint, humorless smile. "Why do you care so much? Are you interested in her? If you want, I'll give her to you." It wasn't just the words, but the way he said them-detached, careless, as though I were an object he was ready to discard.

I felt something insidecrack.

Logan might not have cared, but I years had given him ten years of my life. Ten years during which he'd becmy whole world. And now, he was treatinglike nothing. Caleb scoffed. "Don't be ridiculous. I'm not that desperate." He stood up, 0.25% < Chapter 1 grabbing his jacket off the back of the chair. "But seriously, Logan, if you don't want her, let her go. She deserves better." Logan stubbed out his cigarette, the motion sharp and deliberate. "Get out, Caleb. You're just here to stir up trouble." Caleb shrugged. "I'm not the one stirring up trouble. That's all on you." He turned toward the door.

When he opened it, he froze.

I was standing there, still clutching the marriage license application. My legs felt stiff, my fingertips numb.

"Elaine," Caleb said, his voice unusually cautious. He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, then forced a small smile. "Were you looking for Logan? He's inside." I couldn't speak. My throat felt dry, and my heart was pounding in my ears.

Caleb's gaze flicked to the paper in my hands. He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping. "You should think about what you really want." His shoulder brushed mine as he walked past, leavingstanding there, motionless.

The application form felt unbearably heavy in my hands, the weight of it pressing down onlike a stone.

After what felt like an eternity, I swallowed hard, forced myself to breathe, and pushed the door open.