On Our Wedding Day My Husband Announced His First Love Online-Chapter 19: At Least I Still Have Some Shame

"I never said I wouldn’t help you. Why the long face?"

Sebastian Forrest spoke, a smile playing on his lips as he glanced at the wine glass in front of me. "If that were a water vat, I’m afraid you’d be ready to jump in, Junior."

"..."

I didn’t expect Sebastian Forrest to suddenly start joking with me. I quickly looked up, biting my lip unconsciously. "I know it was rash of me to come to you for help, and I didn’t think it through. If you don’t want to help, Senior Forrest, I understand..."

Sebastian Forrest leaned back in his chair, cutting me off. "I can help you, but in the spirit of reciprocity, shouldn’t you help me with a little something too, Junior?"

The moment I heard he would actually help me, my delight was practically written all over my face. "Of course!"

"I haven’t even said what the favor is, and you’re agreeing so quickly?" Sebastian Forrest looked at me with a half-smile, the corner of his mouth twitching. "Aren’t you worried I might sell you off?"

I smiled. "How could I be? I trust your character, Senior Forrest."

Sebastian Forrest stared at me, the curve of his lips holding a profound, unspoken meaning.

His gaze made me feel a little uncertain. It wasn’t that I was worried Sebastian Forrest would actually sell me off, but rather that I wouldn’t be able to help him with his favor.

’If I can’t help, wouldn’t that mean I’m screwed?’

At this thought, I could only ask tactfully, beating around the bush, "Why don’t you give me a little hint, Senior Forrest? So I can see if I’m able to help?"

Sebastian Forrest’s fingers were wrapped around the stem of his wine glass, his index finger tapping intermittently against the rim. "Don’t worry, you can definitely help, Junior. All you have to do is come with me to Varden to meet someone."

"Meet who?"

"My family’s Matriarch."

I froze for a moment before realizing that when Sebastian Forrest said ’The Matriarch,’ he meant Madam Forrest.

But...

"Why do you want me to meet Madam Forrest?"

But Sebastian Forrest didn’t answer. He just raised an eyebrow, a smile playing on his lips. "So, do you agree?"

’No matter how I look at it, I’m the one getting the better end of this deal.’

’After all, Sebastian Forrest is going to confront Theodore Grant head-on and force him to divorce me, while all I have to do is take a trip to Varden with him to meet Madam Forrest.’

’This is a bargain no matter how you slice it. I’m definitely coming out ahead.’

"Alright, I agree."

Sebastian Forrest smiled and raised his wine glass to me. "Then it’s a deal."

CLINK. The wine glasses came together with a crisp sound.

The contract was sealed.

...

Once we had finished eating and drinking, I got up to pay the bill, only to be told by the waiter that Sebastian Forrest had already put it on his tab.

"Didn’t we agree that I was treating you?"

Sebastian Forrest draped his jacket over his arm and smiled. "You can get it next time."

"Alright."

Leaving the private room, I walked out behind Sebastian Forrest.

Just as I was thinking about asking Sebastian Forrest how he planned to help me with the divorce, the broad back in front of me suddenly stopped. Caught off guard, I almost bumped right into him.

Immediately after, a lazy, cool chuckle came from above me. "Tsk, speak of the devil."

I was stunned for a second. I instinctively followed Sebastian Forrest’s gaze and realized he was talking about Theodore Grant and Clara Langley.

Theodore Grant had one hand in his pocket while Clara Langley clung to his arm, teetering beside him in high heels. They looked just like a couple deeply in love.

’A cold sneer tugged at my lips. To think that just this afternoon Theodore Grant was righteously declaring to my face that he had no feelings for Clara Langley, that their relationship was completely innocent...’

’What a joke.’

"I used to love the steak tails from this place. I can’t believe you still remembered. You’re the best!" Clara Langley was saying, clinging to Theodore Grant’s arm with a radiant smile.

Theodore Grant’s brow furrowed slightly, and he grunted an "Mhm," sounding somewhat impatient.

"Theodore, it’s too noisy in the main hall. Let’s get a private room, okay? You know my profession; it’s always trouble if the paparazzi take our picture..."

"I already tried to book one. There are no private rooms left."

"Doesn’t Sebastian Forrest have a room here reserved year-round? We can call him. You two are like brothers; he probably won’t mind," Clara Langley said casually, putting on an air of magnanimity.

"Why do you have to make such a fuss just to get a meal?"

"Oh, come on, making a call takes no effort. You’re a grown man, what are you being so difficult for?"

Theodore Grant frowned and was just about to speak when he caught sight of a familiar figure in his peripheral vision.

"Sebastian Forrest!" he said, already striding quickly in our direction.

But as he got closer, he saw me standing next to Sebastian Forrest, and his face immediately darkened.

I stared coldly at Theodore Grant and Clara Langley. Thinking of the heartfelt promises Theodore had made to me just a few days ago, I felt my stomach churn.

"Oh, it’s Chelsea! What a coincidence! Why are you with Master Forrest?" Clara Langley feigned surprise, her eyes darting back and forth between Sebastian Forrest and me.

"What’s it to you? Since when did you become the world police?" I retorted sarcastically.

Clara Langley pouted. "I was just asking. Why are you acting so guilty? You haven’t even divorced Theodore yet, and you’re already out eating with another man in a place like this. Anyone would be curious..."

I sneered and shot a glance at Theodore Grant. "You’re well aware I haven’t divorced Theodore. So let me ask you, what are you doing here with him?"

Clara Langley immediately puffed out her chest. "How can you compare yourself to us? Theodore and I are good buddies, and we grew up together..."

"You’re right, I can’t compare to you," I cut her off coldly. "At least I still have a sense of shame!"

"You—" Clara Langley was so angry she was about to say more, but Theodore Grant grabbed her by the wrist. "Stop making a scene."

"Why aren’t you doing anything about her? Are you just going to stand there and watch her bully me like this?" Clara Langley whined, trying to get him on her side.

Theodore Grant’s face was full of impatience. "You brought this on yourself. Shut up."

Clara Langley huffed and turned her head away, giving Theodore Grant the back of her head.

Theodore Grant took a deep breath, then finally looked at Sebastian Forrest. "Since we ran into each other, let’s eat together." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

"No thanks, we just finished," Sebastian Forrest said, his voice casual. He gestured with his chin toward Clara Langley. "We wouldn’t want to be a third wheel and interrupt your date."

"Don’t be ridiculous," Theodore Grant frowned, but his gaze shifted to me, as if afraid I would get the wrong idea. "I just brought her out for a meal. It’s not a date."

Clara Langley chimed in hastily, "Master Forrest, Theodore and I are just good buddies, it’s not what you think. Besides, can’t a man and a woman just have a purely platonic friendship?"

’Listening to this from the side was making me want to vomit.’

’It seems Chloe Miller was right—this particular flavor of ’pick-me’ is way too strong!’

"Good buddies?" Sebastian Forrest suddenly laughed. He tilted his head to look at Clara Langley, but his voice was laced with ice. "Then tell me, what was all that drama about you trying to kill yourself on your ’good buddy’s’ wedding day?"

Clara Langley was choked speechless for a moment but still tried to argue, "I suffer from depression. I can’t control when I have an episode..."