<h4>Chapter 340: Hidden Feelings</h4>


    "Alright, I’ll head over now."


    "The party’s in room 709 at the club," Lauren added. "Hurry! A few of Henry’s other friends are here, so it won’t feel awkward at all!"


    E ended the call, reflecting that Henry would soon be leaving Country S for Country W to undergo reconstructive surgery. But should she bring a gift?


    Not wanting to overthink, she decided to call Eric, filling him in on Lauren’s invitation.


    "Bring whatever you like," Eric replied, "but nothing that could... suggest anything romantic, got it?"


    Augh escaped E. "What exactly would that ’suggestive’ kind of gift be?"


    Eric was clearly wary about Henry. If she gifted anything too personal, Henry might misinterpret it, especially given his almost adolescent emotional state. Like teenagers new to love, it wouldn’t take much for him to misunderstand or read too much into a simple gesture.


    "Stop teasing and act like the ssy sister-inw you are," Eric chuckled, but then added a slight warning. "He may be more or less reasonable, but if he ever pulls anything like Grace, I wouldn’t let it slide."


    Sensing Eric’s slight tension around Henry, E chuckled. "I know how to handle it. Now, you should get back to work while I go out and have some fun."


    "E, your free time is enough to make anyone jealous!"


    "If you don’t like it,e challenge me!" she quipped yfully.


    Eric, though chuckling, was feeling the pressure from work and found her challenge simultaneously amusing and frustrating. "Go on then, enjoy yourself with your friends—but remember, I’ll take you on when you get back!"


    "Just keep up your strength for that!" she teased, ending the call with a grin.


    E contemted a pair of designer watches Amelia had recently brought back. Perhaps one would be a good gift for Henry? But, not wanting to overdo it, she searched online and discovered that gifting a man a watch was often seen as a romantic gesture. Thest thing she wanted was for him to misinterpret it.


    Finally deciding against any gift, E felt it was unnecessary to make thingsplicated. He was her brother-inw, after all, and would understand. If anything, the simpler, the better.


    When she arrived at the party room, a lively group was already deep in conversation andughter. Lauren spotted her first, waving. "E, over here!"


    E closed the door behind her, scanning the room. She recognized only a few faces—most were likely Henry’s close friends, as he wouldn’t invite just anyone to his farewell.


    Henry stood up as she approached, his gaze calm. "d you made it, sister-inw."


    "Yeah, your brother couldn’te, so I’m here on my own."


    "No worries," Henry smiled, but one of the girls seated nearby snorted. "No big deal? Henry, you ended up like this because of her!"


    The room fell silent, several pairs of eyes turning to E. She was well-known by reputation, though for many here, it was their first time seeing her up close.


    Dressed in a simple ck long-sleeve T-shirt and blue jeans, E’s look was understated, yet she radiated a quiet strength, firm and cool—a presence that discouraged idle chatter.


    "Sofia, if you say another word, you’re leaving," Henry shot back, his voice cold as he stared at the girl.


    The girl named Sofia gave E a seething look, her expression full ofplicated emotions, before reluctantly biting back her anger and sitting down quietly.


    Lauren pulled E down beside her, whispering, "That girl, Sofia, probably likes Henry. She wasn’t part of the original group, but somehow managed to wiggle her way in."


    It was clear Sofia’s protective behavior stemmed from her affection for Henry.


    The waiter returned with two more rounds of beer and a selection of snacks, and the girls began chatting and nibbling. E and Lauren sat close, asionally exchanging a few words with Henry, though E mostly kept to herself, listening and observing.


    Lauren, being naturally outgoing, chattedfortably with the other girls, while E remained silent, focused on her phone game as she absentmindedly cracked sunflower seeds. The other girls seemed to harbor some resentment toward her, so she didn’t bother trying to make small talk.


    At some point, someone started teasing, "Sofia, you’re into Henry, aren’t you? Why don’t you join him abroad?"


    "Yes, yes, go with him!" the groupughed.


    Lauren’s expression dimmed slightly, though she stayed silent.


    Henry shot the group a warning look. "Let’s keep it light, alright? I don’t want any trouble."


    "Oh, we’re just joking!" Sofia replied with a shy smile, blushing but unsure of what to say next.


    E looked over at Henry, noticing the flush on his face from the alcohol and the collection of empty beer bottles on the table. She was surprised by how much he could handle.


    Sofia, realizing Henry wasn’t interested, grew visibly frustrated. She walked over to E, sitting beside her with a forced smile and began questioning her about Henry. E replied curtly, keeping her responses to "yes" or "no" or "I’m not sure."


    Annoyed, Sofia scoffed. "Honestly, do you think you’re a goddess or something? Henry’s just blind, that’s all." With a huff, she swayed her hips and walked away.


    Despite Sofia’s obvious displeasure, she refrained from causing a scene, knowing Henry’s patience wouldn’tst.


    The evening wrapped up peacefully, but as E left the club, she received an unexpected call from Henry, using an unfamiliar number. His voice was uneven, as though he’d sobered up and was now dealing with a mix of nerves and vulnerability.


    "Sister-inw... thank you... foring to my farewell party."


    "No need to thank me. It was the least I could do."


    "Sister-inw... haha, I have something to tell you... I used to like you, you know."


    E fell silent, not feeling the difort she might have felt earlier. She only thought he was a little foolish. Admitting it now, knowing it could only lead to awkwardness in the future, felt pointless.


    "Ha, I’m kidding," he added quickly,ughter covering a hint of vulnerability. "Don’t take it seriously. I won’t ever feel that way again. I respect you... because you’re my sister-inw..."


    "Sister-inw... goodbye." And before she could respond, he’d hung up.