?Chapter 178:


    “He’s always been strange,” Ellie brushed off, not giving it much thought.


    “I suspect the gift isn’t from James, but from Edwin.”


    Ellie turned to Baylee, her expression incredulous. “Are you serious?”


    Baylee nodded, her tone serious. “Edwin mentioned not being here for Demi’s birthday, but he referred to you and then stopped himself. In my opinion, he assumed you’d be here, which is why he showed up.”


    “I don’t think so,” Ellie replied, clearly shocked by Baylee’s theory. “We’ve had issues since childhood.”


    “Well, the Stephens family aligns with your husband’s side, while Demi’s loyal to Erick. Would Edwin really show up just because of an invitation from Demi?” Baylee continued, analyzing the situation.


    Ellie cringed at the mention of “husband.” “Don’t say that word,” she muttered awkwardly.


    “Even without the Thorpe family connection, Edwin’s known for his arrogance. He has no ties to Demi. Would he really honor her request? No way!” Baylee added, still contemting.


    Baylee’s words carried weight. The Stephens family was much more prominent in business circles than the Gordon family, which made her thoughts sound usible.


    As Ellie pondered, someone suddenly emerged, blocking her path.


    “Ellie, why haven’t you left yet?” Dani red at Ellie, her tone dripping with disdain. “Are you here to cause trouble for Demi? Or are you just loitering around, knowing Erick’s here?”


    Ellie followed Dani’s gaze and saw Demi happily chatting with Erick’s friends, her arm linked with his. Dani’s loud voice immediately caught Demi’s attention.


    “Ellie, I don’t want to embarrass you, but my friends don’t wee you here,” Demi said, walking over with a frown.


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    “Ellie, we’re done. You don’t have a chance,” Erick sneered at her.


    He had once been interested in Ellie, but after the GT Group incident, he realized her feelings had shifted. Frustrated by his unreciprocated feelings, he now sought to destroy her.


    “No… chance?” Demi’s voice wavered, a wave of emotion washing over her. Tears quickly filled her eyes. “Ellie, you really won’t give up on Erick, will you? You’ve taken everything from me already, and now you’re after the man I love too? How could you do this to me?”


    Baylee felt a mix of anger and amusement. “Now I see how dramatic and paranoid you two are. No wonder you’re a couple. You really are a match made in heaven—both shameless.”


    Fuming, Erick sneered, “Baylee, don’t think I won’t hit you just because you’re a woman.”


    Being called dramatic and paranoid was unbearable to Baylee, especially when it suggested that Ellie was the one being misjudged, and they were being narcissistic. She shrugged nonchntly. “Sorry, not sorry.” Erick was nothing more than a nuisance, and Baylee knew he had no redeeming qualities.


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