<h4>Chapter 363: Who Invited Hannah?</h4>


    E smiled lightly, her gaze holding a touch of icy sarcasm. "Why wouldn’t you be allowed? This is Ms. Fox’s birthday party. As long as you’re her guest, you’re wee to have some cake. Have you forgotten so much in those three years of being unwell?"


    Hannah shrank back, her expression shifting to one of near-tears. "Sister..."


    E pressed her lips together. "Hannah, after all those years away, you should visit Auntie soon."


    Hannah paused, startled. "You mean my mother?"


    "Yes."


    "I’ll go see her tomorrow," Hannah replied softly, a fleeting glint of resentment passing through her eyes before disappearing.


    E said nothing more, and Logan scoffed, looking as though he’dsh out if not for Eric’s approach.


    Hannah’s bodyguards and maids trailed her protectively, as if they feared E might harm her.


    "What’s going on? We’ll have cake soon. Are you hungry already?" Eric asked with a lighthearted smile as he joined them.


    E shook her head. "Not at all, but that cake is so beautifully made. Let’s take a photo."


    As E moved toward the cake, Hannah followed, but she stepped right onto the back of E’s shoe.


    Reacting as if she’d stepped on a snake, Hannah yelped and stumbled in her high heels, nearly falling, only to be caught by Logan in time.


    E’s heel throbbed, but she looked back calmly. "Hannah, why so clumsy? What were you thinking about to be so distracted?"


    At her question, Hannah’s eyes filled with tears. "Sister, it was an ident. Please don’t be mad at me!"


    E felt a twinge of irritation at Hannah’s theatrics. "It’s fine. Just be more careful next time."


    Trying to provoke her into losing herposure? Not a chance.


    Hannah nodded, visibly disheartened.


    Eric’s gaze turned cold as he looked directly at Hannah, who felt the chill and quickly lowered her head.


    "Mr. Nelson, are you nning to stand up for Mrs. Nelson?" Logan asked with a sarcastic smile.


    "Stand up? Stand up for what? Does Mr. Scott think that Ms. Hannah stepped on my wife’s heel on purpose?" Eric’s response was sharp, drawing the attention of those nearby.


    Hannah kept her head down, a look of innocent distress on her face. "That’s not what I meant!"


    Logan huffed, and E shot him a look. "Let’s go. I’d like to get that photo."


    Eric wrapped his arm around E’s waist, leading her away, their closeness drawing envious looks from the onlookers.


    Tiffany nced at E, her gaze cool, though a slight smile lingered on her face.


    The towering eighteenyer cake was a popr photo spot, with celebrities and guests taking selfies and sharing them on social media.


    E took a photo herself, intentionally capturing Tiffany in the frame.


    The rest of the evening went smoothly, with no further antics from Hannah. She seemed to understand that even an "innocent rabbit" act could wear thin,ing off as insincere if overyed.


    After Tiffany’s birthday party wrapped up, E and Eric chatted in the car. The driver steered smoothly as they made their way home.


    "So, what do you think? Eighteenyers of cake—isn’t that impressive? Feel a bit jealous?" Eric teased, gently cupping her cheek.


    "What’s there to be jealous of? I doubt the taste was any different!" E raised an eyebrow. "Let me think about a few things in peace. I’ll go over them with you in a bit."


    Eric chuckled. "Seems like you’re bing more insightful by the day."


    E pressed her lips together, quietly epting hispliment.


    Once home, Ezily draped herself across the sofa in their bedroom.


    Like a prowling beast, Eric moved in, capturing her mouth in a kiss. "Spill it. What were you just thinking about? If I didn’t know you better, I’d think I was dealing with a philosophy master here."


    E pushed his face away. "Tell me, who sent Hannah the invitation?"


    Eric rolled over beside her, freeing her from his weight, and whispered near her ear, "The invitations were sent out by our team. Thepany provided a list of stars, but Tiffany herself was given a stack of additional invites to extend to anyone we may have missed or private friends she wanted to bring."


    E’s eyes lit up. "You’re saying Tiffany invited Hannah?"


    "It’s possible. But we can’t rule out that someone else might have given Hannah the invitation."


    E frowned, thinking hard. She’d had no previous conflict with Tiffany, though Tiffany’s look of subtle disdain and pride might simply be her nature.


    "Are you suspicious of Tiffany?"


    Eric’s expression turned serious.


    E nodded. "If it was her, I just don’t understand why she’d align herself with Hannah. What could she possibly gain?"


    Eric chuckled, giving her ear a yful bite. "E, you’re starting to sound like a detective."


    E snorted. "I’m just cautious, that’s all."


    "Rx. It’s unlikely to be Tiffany. I’d already looked into her background with Hannah before agreeing to sign her. They don’t know each other."


    E was surprised; she hadn’t expected Eric to be so thorough.


    "Tiffany’s the type who built her career on her own merits," Eric continued, gently brushing a hand through her hair. "She has no interest in attaching herself to powerful connections, which is how she managed to thrive on pure talent in Country W. In Country S, where there’s no shortage of under-the-table deals, someone with her integrity would struggle. Of course, there are exceptions—take Amanda, for instance. She managed to skyrocket without either of us having to y the ’casting couch’ game."


    He chuckled, his hand still brushing her hair.


    E nodded, remembering the articles she’d read about Tiffany, a woman who earned admiration for her genuine talent and beauty.


    So Tiffany’s massive fanbase in Country S was deserved, driven by both her looks and skills. It seemed unlikely she was the kind to y shady games. But then, who had sent the invitation to Hannah?


    "Stop worrying," Eric whispered, his voice a blend of charm and mischief. "Let’s go take a bath, and afterward, I’ll let you in on a little game."


    E’s heart quickened, but before she could reply, Eric swept her up in his arms.


    "What kind of game?" she asked, feigning innocence.


    "You’ll find out soon enough."


    "Give me a hint!" E wrinkled her nose.


    Ericughed wickedly, a devilish smile spreading across his face. "A game of devil and the maid."