Rebirth of the Wife in Despair
Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Chapter 4 Attending Banquet

The atmosphere inside the vehicle was slightly tense. Eric drove the car in the driver’s seat whileEileen sat quietly in the back. Eileen stole a glance at Eric through the rearview mirror and caught sightof his brooding eyes. She figured it made sense for him to react in that manner. After all, she didattempt to drug him a few days ago. If it weren’t for Will’s order, Eileen reckoned Eric wouldn’t havewanted to see her again. Eric was a little taken aback because, since the moment they met that day,Eileen had been behaving quite differently from before. Usually, whenever she saw him, she wouldimmediately run up to him and cling to his arm. On the contrary, Eileen was oddly calm today. Despitewhat happened several days ago, she would typically cling to him again after a short period wheneverhe scolded her in the past. He wondered if that could be a new tactic she was employing. As thosethoughts swirled in his mind, Eric abruptly regained his senses. Isn’t it wonderful that she’s no longerlatching onto me? Why am I thinking about these? Eric quickly decluttered his thoughts and stepped onthe gas pedal, accelerating the car. The banquet was held at Euphoria Hotel, a well-established five-star venue. As soon as they exited the vehicle, a valet swiftly offered to help them park the car while ahotel staff led them to the banquet hall. The opulent hall was already filled with many distinguishedguests. The banquet that night was to celebrate Henry Gaunt and his wife’s golden weddinganniversary and was attended by prestigious figures of Hulbury. Eric, accompanied by Eileen,approached and greeted Henry. The older gentleman’s wife, Valerie Shurmer, standing at one side andgrinning at Eileen, asked, “Are you the young lady from the Swan family? You’ve grown so much. Isthis your boyfriend?” Before Eileen could reply, Eric forestalled her, saying, “Old Mrs. Gaunt, I’mEileen’s stepbrother.” Clarity washed over Valerie at once. “You must be Eric, right? I’ve heard aboutyou. You’re a rare talent in the business world!” Eric nodded slightly and chirped, “You’re flattering me,Old Mrs. Gaunt.” The corner of Eileen’s mouth twitched. He’s genuinely in a hurry to dissociate himselffrom me. At that point, she could already roughly guess Will’s intention in asking her and Eric to attendthat event together. Will wanted more people to recognize the sibling relationship between her and Eric,so she would abandon her foolish feelings for Eric sooner. For Will, nothing was more important than

his reputation. He viewed her love for Eric as a potential source of humiliation that could tarnish hisimage if words were to get out. Such painstaking efforts… However, Eileen had already died once. Heraffection for Eric had also worn away after the countless days of despair she experienced. At thatmoment, she no longer harbored any hope to have a future with him. She spent the evening beingparaded around by Eric, forced to smile and exchange pleasantries with every guest they encountered.By the end of it, Eileen couldn’t bring herself to smile anymore. Suddenly, Eric halted in his tracks andturned to her. “You can roam around on your own. I have to step away for a bit.” She nodded, feelingutterly glad to be away from him. Noticing he had walked away, Eileen picked up a glass of champagnefrom a nearby table and started sipping it. While watching the elegantly dressed men and womendance to the music on the dance floor, she unknowingly consumed glass after glass of the alcoholicdrink. Feeling slightly intoxicated, Eileen staggered out of the banquet hall for some fresh air to soberup. As she made her way to the courtyard, she heard a sultry female voice that caused her to stop inher steps instinctively. “Eric, aren’t you afraid that young lady from the Swan family will replace out thatyou’re meeting with me?” Eileen froze. Then, she quickly hid behind a large tree and discreetly peekedin the direction of the voice. That woman speaking was dressed provocatively with long, wavy haircascading down her waist. Her arms were crossed in front of her ample chest, accentuating her deepcleavage. The next second, a familiar voice rang out. “Eileen? Why would I be afraid of her? Regardingthe matter I asked you to handle, how is it going?” It’s really Eric! Who is this woman, and what did Erictell her to do? Eileen tilted her head, straining to listen to their conversation. “Don’t worry. Everything isprogressing smoothly. Still, isn’t that Eileen obsessively in love with you? Haven’t you ever consideredusing her? That way, you can attain your goals much easier.” Eric furrowed his brows and said coldly,“No one is to lay a finger on Eileen for now. I still have a use for her.” “Tsk. I thought you might have asoft spot for her. It seems she’s not that capable either, failing to capture your heart even after so manyyears.” The woman winked at Eric and even leaned closer to him. Eric gazed at her in amusement,uttering leisurely, “I’m not interested in an underdeveloped brat.” As he spoke, he reached out to graspone side of that woman’s bosom and casually groped her. “Ah! You’re so mean! You’re hurting me!”While intoning coyly and swatting his hand away, that woman curled her seductive red lips into a playful

smirk, prompting the atmosphere to turn highly sensual at once. Eileen rolled her eyes. Whether it wasin her past or current life, Eric’s habit of cheating hadn’t changed. Despite her indifference and havinggiven up on him, she still felt somewhat uncomfortable listening to those words in person, especially hisdemeaning and disdainful remarks about her. I can’t believe I ended up in ruin for his sake in myprevious life. While she bitterly reflected on that, Eric was already preparing to return to the banquethall.