When She Walks Away (Teresa) novel Chapter 163

Chapter 163

As Charles complimented him, Ethan felt a subtle sense of pride.

He straightened his back, clinked his glass with Charles’s, and said softly, “Naomi can be a bit mischievous, and she’s been spoiled by our family. If she ever does anything to upset you, Charles, just let me know. I’ll make sure to set her straight.”

A bit embarrassed, Naomi tugged at Ethan’s sleeve. “Oh, come on, Ethan! I’m not nearly as mischievous as you say.”

Ethan turned to Naomi and playfully patted her head. “We grew up together, you know. As if I wouldn’t know what you’re really like.”

Seizing the moment, Naomi ducked behind Charles, grabbed his arm, and gave it a little shake, her voice almost whining. “Charles, look at my brother–he’s always calling me out!”

Charles gave a faint smile and gently pulled Naomi behind him. “Ethan, Naomi’s a wonderful girl. She’s never given me any trouble.”

Ethan laughed. “You just can’t help but stick up for her.”

Jason chimed in, “Ethan, I can back Charles up on this. Naomi’s never pissed him off.”

He shot a look at Finn. “Isn’t that right, Finn?”

Finn stood up with a half–hearted grin, raised his glass to join the toast, and said, “No lies detected.”

Even though Finn wasn’t exactly a fan of Naomi, he had to admit she was genuinely well–behaved–never competitive or petty, and always kind to Yolanda.

That alone earned her some respect from him.

Meanwhile, Teresa really wanted to ignore their conversation, but sitting at the same table meant there was no way to block it out.

Not wanting to listen, she just sipped her drink in silence.

Troy could tell she was upset, so he slid his chair next to hers and rested his arm over the back of her seat, wrapping her in a protective embrace.

He only had eyes for her, keeping her close and chatting with her the whole time.

Troy thought maybe if he changed the subject, Teresa wouldn’t feel quite so down.

Leo picked up on Teresa’s downcast vibe, and when he glanced at the group across the table, all he could think was how phony and gross they were.

Teresa was Charles’s wife, but everyone just acted like she was invisible.

Leo couldn’t stand it anymore. He grabbed a napkin, wiped his hands, and was just about to get up when, right next to him, Peyton stood up first.

After standing up, Peyton pulled a business card from his pocket, placed it on the table, and slid it across to Charles.

Leo wasn’t the only one who noticed; the group across the table, who had just clinked glasses and sat down, saw it too.

When the card reached Charles, Peyton flashed a deep, genuine smile and said sincerely, “Mr. Logan, I’m sure you’ve got a top–notch legal team, but I’m pretty well–known in the field myself, as you might’ve heard. No offense or anything, but if you ever find yourself needing to fight a financial lawsuit, just give me a call. That’s kind of my specialty.”

Peyton was dead serious, his tone neither too loud nor too soft, but the way he said it almost made it sound like Logan Group was about to go under.

As soon as he finished, Leo felt a weight lift off his chest. Under the table, he gave Peyton a silent thumbs–up and whispered, “Peyton, you really know how to take someone down without them even feeling it. You’re my hero.”

The group across the table looked like they’d just swallowed a lemon, with Ethan and Jason looking the most pissed off.

Naomi frowned too, but with Charles and Troy both there, she put on a brave face and kept her composure.

1/3

10:35 AM P P.

Chapter 163

Finn was just surprised, nothing more.

But Charles was the calmest of them all. His expression gave nothing away, but his eyes lingered on Peyton with a hint of amusement.

He didn’t say a word but just stared at Peyton in silence.

Teresa and Troy both glanced over at the other group, their eyes locking onto them.

Peyton’s meaning couldn’t be clearer–Yates Group hadn’t stood the test of time, but Charles was just handing them a deal like it was no big deal. Whether if Yates Group can even survive in the future?

Jason was the most hot–headed of the bunch. He slammed his glass down on the table, making a sharp, jarring noise.

At the same time, he barked at Sebastian, “What’s your deal? Are you bitter just because someone’s doing better than you?”

Sebastian, ever the reasonable type, didn’t flinch at Jason’s anger. He was about to reply when Leo, sitting next to him, let out a mocking snort. “Oh please, Jason, don’t talk so big. Who knows what’ll happen? If you piss off Sebastian, don’t come begging when your company’s in hot water.“.

Jason let out a string of mocking laughs. “Leo, are you out of your mind? Like I’d ever need him to bail me out. Even if I go broke or drop dead, I’d never ask him for help.”

Leo leaned back in his chair, crossed his legs, and said with a lazy drawl, “If I’m not mistaken, your mom just had brain surgery, right? Weren’t you running around begging people to help you out? What, already forgot how pathetic you looked back then?”

Jason’s face went ghostly pale. “Leo Gilbert, you-” he stammered, clearly rattled.

Leo squinted, his voice dropping to a cold rumble. “What’s wrong? Did I hit a nerve?”

Jason, realizing he was losing ground, grabbed a glass in a flash, ready to chuck it straight at Leo.

But before he could do anything, Troy, who’d been quietly shielding Teresa, cut in, his tone sharp. “Seriously, Mr. Gould? You planning to wreck Xavier’s birthday party now?”

Jason wasn’t intimidated by Leo or Troy, but he knew this was Xavier’s big night. No way he’d risk making a scene there.

If he did, he and Charles would be the ones getting all the bad press.

After weighing his options for a second, Jason slowly set down the wine glass.

He sat there, stewing, his mood sour as hell.

As Troy withdrew his gaze from Teresa, he looked over at Charles.

The two of them locked eyes across the table–neither said a word, but in that single glance, it was like a thousand silent battles had already been fought.

At that table, two rival factions sat face to face. Beneath the calm facade, waves of tension crashed just out of sight.

Naomi sat beside Charles, but she couldn’t help subconsciously keeping an eye on Troy. He seemed to care a lot about Teresa, always going out of his way to shield her.

But Naomi wondered, ‘Why would someone like Troy, who has everything going for him, be interested in a married woman like Teresa?

‘Moreover, she’s already had a child.

‘Troy’s probably just trying to get my attention, which is why he’s acting so considerate toward Teresa.

‘Yeah, that must be it!

Just as she was lost in thought, Xavier walked over with a glass in hand.

He came to offer a toast, clinking glasses with everyone at the table.

Xavier went through the usual host’s pleasantries, telling everyone to have a good time and enjoy the feast.

2/8

10:36 AM

Chapter 163

When everyone was about to toast, Charles noticed Naomi was holding a wine glass.

He quickly put his hand over hers and said softly, “Naomi, you’ve got research at the lab tomorrow. No drinking tonight.”

Earlier, when she toasted with Ethan, she was just having a soft drink.

Naomi looked a little embarrassed. “Charles, it’s Mr. Harris’s birthday. It wouldn’t look good if I didn’t drink at all.”

Charles took the glass from her and said to Xavier, “Mr. Harris, I’ll take this one on Naomi’s behalf.”

With that, he downed the drink in one go.

Xavier watched as Charles took such good care of Naomi, then couldn’t help but glance over at Teresa.

He was starting to get confused–he couldn’t tell who was supposed to be Richard’s granddaughter–in–law anymore.

3/3