Wendy''s expression grew stormy as she locked her angry gaze on Zachary.


    The atmosphere in the room turned tense, but everyone remained silent.


    "Sorry for beingte!" Ellen eximed.


    She hooked her arm around Zachary''s and pulled him toward a seat. Almost as if on purpose, despite several other spots still avable, she chose the one right next to Wendy.


    Zachary sat between them, with Wendy on his left and Ellen on his right.


    Despite Wendy being Zachary''s nominal wife, Ellen clung to Zachary''s arm and unted her affection openly.


    Sensing the awkward silence, Ellen quickly started a new topic. "Has anyone ordered yet? Zac loves spicy food, so make sure to order something spicy."


    "Not yet. We were waiting for you, Ms. Stewart. Who would dare to start without you?"


    Joseph took over the conversation with an awkward smile. He had no choice but to step in. After all, he was the organizer of this reunion.


    "Then, hurry up and bring over the menu. I''m ready to order!" Ellen beamed brightly.


    As soon as she received the menu, she began ordering quickly.


    As she scanned through the options, she leaned closer to Zachary. "Between the


    spicy grilled fish and spicy steak, which do you prefer?"


    "Either works!" Zachary replied with a casual smile.


    "Well, let''s get both then!" Ellen decided.


    She told one of her ex-ssmates to g down a waiter so that they could ce their orders.


    Even after the waiter left, the room remained ufortably silent.


    Everyone sensed that this reunion might not go as nned.


    As expected, when Ellen was enthusiastically pouring a ss of water for


    Zachary, Wendy could no longer sit still.


    "Ellen, Zachary is my husband. Don''t you think it''s inappropriate for you to be so intimate with him in my presence?"


    Wendy''s tone was cool and stern, and her anger was barely concealed.


    Her words drew everyone''s eyes toward Ellen. They all wondered how Ellen would respond.


    "What''s the big deal?" Ellen replied nonchntly.


    She nced at Ethan, who was seated on Wendy''s left.


    With a pointed smile, she added, "Ethan doesn''t mind, so why should you?"


    By shifting the focus to Ethan, Ellen implied that if Wendy could bring her ex-boyfriend to the reunion, then she should also have every right to bring Zachary there as her best friend.


    Ethan''s expression darkened. "Ellen, this is a ss reunion. Since we''re


    ssmates, what''s the problem with me attending?"


    "Oh, that''s right! I almost forgot


    about that!" Ellen tapped her forehead yfully and offered an exaggerated apology. "Sorry. I nearly forgot that you were one of our ssmates."


    Everyone looked at Ellen with exasperation. They knew that it was all an intentional act.


    Ellen raised an eyebrow and then blinked. "Why are you all staring at me like that? Should I have Zachary leave?"


    "What are you saying? Zachary is Wendy''s husband. Of course he''s wee here. Why would we make him leave?" Joseph interjected


    nervously.


    He dabbed away his cold sweat as he tried to smooth things over. At this point, he


    was already regretting organizing this reunion.


    What was meant to be a simple and joyful reunion had somehow devolved into an unexpected standoff.