The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 348 A Press Conference (Part Two)

Upon hearing Autumn's quick witted response, Rachel was stunned. "Well... Okay, if that is what you want," Rachel replied, after a long pause, with a sense of embarrassment in her tone.

Autumn's response was smart. Not only did she refuse Rachel's gift in a polite manner but also showcased how sensible and quick on her feet she was.

"I hope that Miss Bai, you will enjoy yourself tonight. Thank you again for the considerate gift and wishes, "Autumn replied with a courteous smile as she stood up and walked away, leaving Rachel shocked as to how she turned the situation around.

Being tired of dealing with Rachel and her never ending drama, she ended their conversation immediately on a pleasant note and went towards the lady's room.

As she walked out of the restroom, she knitted her brows at the very sight of Roger who was standing at the door. Roger stared at Autumn with a rather mischievous smile.

'What is he doing here? Who invited him to this party?' Autumn's mind was overflowing with questions and concerns.

"Surprise!" Roger exclaimed with a grin and made a prominent entrance. "You must be curious as to what I am doing here. I am a star and I have some connections in this circle. It's not difficult to get invited to your birthday," he explained.

"Are you?" Autumn sneered, with an intention of leaving.

"Hold on there, what is the hurry?" Roger said as he quickly grabbed Autumn's hand. "I went through great lengths to meet you here. I have something to say to you. Please at least hear me out."

"There is no need for that. I think that I've already made myself clear to you on several occasions, "Autumn said as she declined his request. "Whatever your intentions are, I advise you to give up," she added in a stern and resolute tone.

"I honestly made all this effort to come here to just apologize to you, " Roger said in a rather sincere tone. He realized that Autumn was a far more difficult woman than Rachel to convince. Both temptation and threats didn't seem to work on her.

"You have apologized. Can I leave now?" Autumn asked impatiently. "If you only came here to make an apology, then well, you have done that and for all you care I forgive you."

Roger was shocked at her immediate dismissal. The whole apology story was just a front to approach Autumn. In fact he expected Autumn to refuse his apology. If she had, he would have an excuse to keep coming back to her. But now contrary to what he thought, Autumn forgave him. 'This... isn't a part of my plan,' he thought bitterly, not knowing what to do next.

"I hope everything is clear now! I am saying it yet again I forgive you, "Autumn raised her voice to make herself clear and leave no room for doubts. "My only wish is that you leave my party now and I never have to see you again. I don't want to have anything to do with you or be associated with you in any way possible be it big or small. If you can fulfill this wish, I will not only forgive you, but thank you with all my heart," she said with total disregard for his feelings.

"Judging by your tone and expressions, I know that you are still angry with me, " Roger tried to manipulate her yet again. "You just needed an excuse to banish me away from your life."

"Thank god then you understand my sentiments. You're not a fool, "Autumn responded sarcastically in yet another attempt to push him away. "Roger, I will not repeat myself again. I don't blame you and I have moved on. All I want now is for you to stay out of my life. I hope that is clear to you..."

"Why do you detest me so much? What did I do to deserve such hatred?" Roger asked with a rather frustrated expression. He thought that he was losing irrespective of how hard he tried, Autumn kept slamming his attempts down and pushed him away.

"You are thinking too much, " Autumn said calmly. "We are strangers and it should remain that way. There is no need to move further from mere acquaintances.

Do you think that we have other options besides being strangers?" Autumn mocked his insincerity.

"Of course," Roger responded, looking at Autumn with expectation and hopes to flip the situation. "Perhaps we can be friends."

"Sorry, I don't think that is possible, "Autumn refused bluntly without considering his offer. "If you don't leave now, I will call security guards," she threatened as she grew impatient.

"Besides, my husband is here. If he sees you here, he will not spare you easily. You know what he is capable of doing..."

"Let's wait and watch. I will let you come to me obediently," Roger snorted, as he pursed his lips shut.

Autumn thought he was joking. She didn't know how Roger sneaked an invite to the party. 'Who brought him here?' she wondered.

After much convincing, Roger finally left the party against his will. His appearance didn't destroy Autumn's pleasant mood.

Isla and Aron had come to the party together. They found Autumn and wished her. Aron then walked to a corner with a stressed look and began making phone calls.

Every family had its own troubles to deal with. So Autumn didn't ask him what was happening.

As the birthday celebration began, the host began his speech. Autumn discovered that Arthur had invited almost all of the powerful and rich figures in Y City including celebrities and politicians.

The whole event seemed unreal to Autumn as she met and greeted those who only showed up on TV and received wishes from them.

Rachel glared at Autumn with her eyes full of jealousy and hatred. She frowned as she failed to replace Wendy or even Roger after looking around for them multiple times.

She walked to a quiet corner and called up Roger. "Where are you now? Why can't I replace you at the party?

I am warning you, I can help you with your career or destroy your future in the entertainment business. Don't forget what you promised me. If you don't fulfill your promise, I will have no mercy while ruining your life," she asked with bubbling anger. "I finally managed to get you to the party, but you disappeared. What do you mean?"

Roger was hiding in one corner of the party. "Rachel, of course I remember what I promised. I just ran into some problem with my initial plan," he giggled nervously as he tried to battle her questions. "What happened?" Rachel asked coldly to understand how he failed.

"Long story. Can we meet now?" Roger requested optimistically. Since everyone present had all gathered in the hall, they decided to meet at the entrance of bathroom.

Once Rachel hung up, Edward walked up to her. "Who were you talking to? Why do you look so angry?" he asked curiously.

"Nothing important. It was no one of significance, " Rachel replied nervously as she was taken aback. "My assistant is so lame. She cannot handle one task without bothering me... Well, I need to go to the lady's room," she complained, once she composed herself.

"I see," Edward replied as he doubted her fabricated response. He fixed his eyes on Rachel's back as she walked away, thinking that she was certainly hiding something and was probably trying to concoct some other devious plan.

Just as he was about to follow her, Chris walked up to him and asked, "Dad, what brought you here tonight?"