Chapter 53
This was definitely a classic case of "bringing up what shouldn't be mentioned," and Everett threw a frosty glance his way.Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.
Jaime felt an icy chill slide down his spine, as if he'd been plunged into the Arctic. Thinking fast, he lightly slapped his own cheek and muttered, "Ugh, why do I always put my foot in my mouth?" "Got nothing else to occupy your time?" Everett's face was unreadable, and though his voice was calm, it held an unspoken authority. To save his own hide, Jaime could only mime zipping his lips shut. Everett was already in a foul mood from that morning's events, and now he didn't even bother to hide his irritation. He settled behind his desk and, without so much as a glance, dismissed Jaime. "If you're just here to chat, then scram. I'm not your entertainment committee."
Jaime rubbed his chin, contemplating the stormy look on Everett's face, which screamed frustration. He'd already told Everett thatt Selena was dead set on ending things with him, but he hadn't bought it. Well, guess it all came true.
Everett had never been dealt such a blow before. As his closest buddy, Jaime's review was: juicy, can't get enough of this drama!
He was about to pry for more details when Everett, seeming to have eyes in the back of his head, warned him, "Say another word, and the business in Antartica..."
"Alright, I'm outta here! Your humble servant bids farewell!"
Jaime made a break for it but stopped short when Everett called him back in his deep voice, "Get back here."
Jaime quickly turned around, flashing a nervous grin. "What else do you need, boss? Just say the word, and I'm on it!"
Everett quickly signed off on a document, looked up with his dark eyes slightly narrowing, and said, "Set up a dinner soon to welcome Callum back. It's been ages since we all got together." Planning these kinds of gatherings was usually Jaime's gig, and he'd been meaning to organize one anyway. He didn't expect Everett to bring it up, let alone make it a priority. Something seemed a bit off.
But then again, Everett had always been the reserved type, a bit of a lone wolf. Apart from Jaime, his closest friend, Callum was the only other person he considered close. Despite being compared to each other since childhood, they hadn't become rivals but rather friends.
"Sure thing, I'll sort it out."
Everett waved him off. "You're dismissed."
Jaime sighed. At that moment, he felt a wave of sympathy for Selena. Everett really was a piece of work!
...
Once out of the Campbell Estate, Selena drove Ricky home.
Before she left, she gave him a stern reminder, "Do not stir up trouble. You dodged a bullet this time, but next time you might not be so lucky. I can't always bail you out!" Ricky, unusually quiet, didn't argue but instead asked, "Do you know Callum?"
He'd caught the whole conversation between her and Sydney.
"Yeah, why do you ask?"
Selena looked at him, puzzled. Given his disdain for Everett and the elite social circle, Ricky never showed interest in those folks. Unexpectedly, his eyes lit up, and he spoke with excitement, "Are you close to him? He's my hero. Can you get me his autograph?" He suddenly turned into a fanboy.
Selena was surprised. "You... I
thought you didn't like the upper-crust crowd? Didn't you always say 'birds of a feather flock together and that you didn't want to be part of it? How did you become a fan of Callum?"
Ricky, who usually played it cool and kept his words to a minimum, didn't hesitate to reply. "Callum's nothing like them He's smart, polite, and a lifesaving doctor. Even with hisz background, he doesn't look down on anyone. Those people have nothing on him!"
"And as for Everett, I just don't see what's so great about him compared to Callum. Selena, wouldn't it be awesome if Callum was your husband?"