Chapter 84

Two days later, it was Nathaniel's birthday.

He had never been one to make a big deal out of birthdays, but when his family insisted on throwing him a party this year, he didn't object.

Eleanor, of course, wasn't going to attend. Instead, Nathaniel sent her a message in the evening, asking her to wait for him at Willow Park.

The party was a grand affair. Nearly everyone who mattered in the social circles had shown up. While the event wasn't open to the public, a few minor celebrities had managed to sneak in.

Since Nathaniel's divorce had become public knowledge, more people seemed eager to get close to him. Their motives were more obvious now—straightforward, even.

Over the course of the night, Nathaniel had his suit ruined three times. By the time the last person spilled a drink on him, he didn't even bother to change. He simply pushed away the hand that tried to touch him.

"Mr. Carter, why don't you let me clean that up for you?" The woman, wearing a strapless gown, looked at him with eyes full of soft, seductive longing.

But Nathaniel wasn't moved. He glanced at her without any change in expression and said flatly, "No need."

Then, he turned to Lucas.

Lucas immediately stepped forward, clearing the woman away. Afterward, Nathaniel gave a quick order, saying, "I'm leaving. See to the guests and make sure they get home safely."

"You're leaving now? Should I have the driver..." Lucas started to ask.

"No. I'll take a cab."

Nathaniel knew that leaving with his car would only attract more attention. At that moment, all he wanted was to slip away quietly and alone.

Before Lucas could say another word, Nathaniel had already made his way toward the exit.

Outside, the neon lights still glittered in the bustling city. Nathaniel turned his head and suddenly thought of his birthday last year.

Back then, Victoria had also insisted on organizing a party for him. But that year, he had just missed his first wedding anniversary with Eleanor. She hadn't taken the initiative to speak to him in days.

On top of that, he had been quite busy during that period. So, he refused Victoria's suggestion. He had thought that the day would pass without any real significance, and he didn't care about the gifts or the well-wishes.

But that night, he received a gift from Eleanor—that lighter. Along with the gift, there was a plate of homemade spaghetti she had made herself.

Maybe it was the alcohol he had drunk that night, but Nathaniel suddenly found himself missing... the taste of that spaghetti.

Eleanor wasn't sure how long she had been waiting at Willow Park.

She had come right after receiving Nathaniel's message. But when she opened her phone, she saw that he was hosting a party. There were even photos of him with celebrities posted on Twitter. Clearly, Nathaniel didn't need her.

Eleanor had initially planned to leave, but then she remembered what the doctor had said to her earlier that day.

Nathaniel had arranged for Diana to be transferred to a new hospital. The doctor there had told her that they had observed some reactions during today's tests, and there might be a chance for her to wake up. Eleanor had waited for eight years.

During that long stretch of time, she had long given up hope. She was convinced it was just her obsession and that she would never see Diana open her eyes again.

But now, they were telling her that Diana might really wake up.

Thinking of this, Eleanor suddenly felt that waiting for a few hours for Nathaniel wasn't so difficult after all. After all... he had done what he promised. So, she would do her best to fulfill what he wanted her to do.