The waiter apologized with a smile, scratching his head as he walked away.


    Who would even try to prank L on her birthday with the Morgan family standing behind her?


    He nced around the crowd but couldn''t spot the man.


    L walked to the other side, where there were fewer people.


    She called out softly, "Dorian?"


    The curtain before her shifted, and half of the man''s body appeared. The bandages on his head had been removed, though the wound on his forehead was still scabbed over.


    Despite the scar, his outstanding appearance kept it from detracting too much from his overall looks.


    "L... I just wanted to watch you from a distance." His voice was dry, as if he was dehydrated. His gaze was filled with longing.


    "If you''re willing toe see me, does that mean we''re not really finished? Do you still have feelings for me?"


    Dorian''s gaze was desperate, his emotions flickering across his face.


    He wanted to hear her answer, but he feared it would not be what he had hoped for.


    "Do you want to—"


    "I don''t," L interrupted him without hesitation.


    "Dorian, I''ve always thought I made myself clear. There''s no need for you to keeping back to find me.


    "We''re truly over. There''s no possibility of us being together again."


    Dorian''s eyes were filled with sorrow. "I know Darcy came to find you the other day. I''ve already scolded her. I promise she won''t bother you again.


    "As for Aunt Margaret, I know you don''t like her. She won''t cause you any trouble anymore."


    L took a deep breath. "I don''t want to be with you anymore, and it has nothing to do with anyone else.


    "It''s just that we''re not right for each other. I don''t love you anymore."


    When he heard thest sentence, it felt like the air had been knocked out of his lungs. He pressed against his chest, trying to quell the dull pain in his heart.


    He had truly lost the one person who had loved him the most.


    L took a step back, distancing herself from him. "From now on, we are strangers. Let''s never see each other again."


    She nced at Dorian''s limp leg. He had already paid the price for betraying her. From now on, they owed each other nothing.


    As


    ignoring all reason, dashed toward


    Started to walk away, Dorian


    Hispanic,


    and


    his panic, he stumbled and ended up crashing into her


    "What are you two doing?" A voice suddenly questioned from behind.


    It wasn''t too loud but clear enough for those nearby to hear.


    Those who turned to look assumed L and Dorian were embracing each other.


    She pushed him away and looked at the crowd, her face neutral.


    The banquet guests were mostly influential figures from Northridge.


    Many looked down on L''s background, but no one dared to speak out with the Morgan family involved.


    At that moment, the eyes of the crowd looking at L grew even more disdainful. The contempt was clear in their gazes.


    A wealthydy, appearing concerned but with a hint of amusement, spoke up. "Ms. Hart, what''s going on here?"


    The moment Kieran arrived, the


    feigned concern. "Who is this wild man? How dare he harass Ms. Hart? Do you know who she is?"


    Her words, though masked as concern, were clearly intended to insinuate that L had other men in her life.


    However, L ignored thedy and turned her gaze toward Shannon. Shannon


    had shouted just now, which drew everyone''s attention.


    Then, she looked back at Dorian, and her expression subtly changed.


    Was Dorian still trying to y his tricks on her?


    Dorian noticed her expression and hurriedly exined, "L, this has nothing to do with me. You have to believe me."


    Although Shannon brought him here, the fall was truly an ident.


    He never meant to cause trouble for L. He just wanted to win her back by being sincere.


    Thedy coldly snorted, looking at Dorian with disdain. "What''s your rtionship with her?


    "Do you think you, a cripple, are worthy of calling her that? She''s Mr. Morgan''s fiance!"


    Dorian''s face turned pale in an instant.


    A voice from the crowd murmured, "I think this man is Ms. Hart''s ex-boyfriend."


    Then, another soft voice spoke up but still carried clearly through the crowd. You''ve already broken up. Why are you still clinging to each other? Aren''t you two over, opis something still between you?"