Boss, Your Ex-Wife is Unreachable Now! novel Chapter 180

Lionel's words didn't just leave Evelyn stunned—York and Major were equally taken aback.

Evelyn's expression soured, her fists clenching so tightly her knuckles blanched. She could never have imagined, not even in her wildest dreams, that the heir to a hotel fortune would actually be friends with Willow—and that they'd known each other for ten years.

That woman really knew how to climb the social ladder, Evelyn thought bitterly. Always making the right connections, always aiming higher.

Her disdain for Willow deepened into outright contempt, and Lionel, by association, became just as irritating in her eyes.

With a sharp, dismissive huff, Evelyn lifted her chin and said coldly, "Well, you can't save someone determined to ruin themselves. I've said my piece, Mr. Scott—do as you please."

Without waiting for a reply, she grabbed Cordelia's arm and reached for her boyfriend Major, pulling them both toward the far side of the lounge.

After a few determined steps, she glanced back and noticed York still standing there. Impatient, she called, "York, let's move over there. The air's much fresher on that side."

Cordelia glanced back at Lionel as well; she still hadn't found a chance to apologize to him.

Lionel was watching her, though he said nothing to stop her. Given her closeness with Evelyn, he doubted he held any sway in Cordelia's mind these days. Besides, he didn't want to put her in an awkward position.

York's gaze flickered thoughtfully between Lionel and Cordelia. After a moment, he took Melinda's arm and made to follow Evelyn.

Before leaving, he offered Lionel a polite nod. "Mr. Scott, if you'll excuse us."

Lionel smiled and nodded, watching them go.

Once they'd left, Lionel returned to his seat and pulled out his phone. He scrolled to a half-written WhatsApp message, deleted it, and typed out a new one before hitting send.

Meanwhile, Juliette had just finished helping Willow hang the painting they'd bought earlier that morning at the art gallery—a beautiful peony print that now graced the perfect spot on the wall.

She knew Juliette had been trying her best to avoid spending time alone with Lionel, working hard to move past her lingering crush.

"Text Mr. Scott back," Willow suggested. "Ask him what kind of feast he'd like for lunch tomorrow."

Juliette blinked. "Wait, you're actually going to treat him?"

Willow shrugged. "He brought it up himself. If I don't, I have a feeling he'll just show up uninvited again, pestering you for that meal like he did at lunch today."

Juliette let out a resigned sigh. "You're probably right. He'll find a way to wrangle a free meal out of me, one way or another."

With that, she tapped out a reply to Lionel, doing exactly as Willow suggested.