Chapter 18 Sybil Is Really Pretty
Sybil looked at Philip, tilting her head slightly.
Years of mutual understanding allowed Philip to instantly catch on to what she meant. He cleared his throat, adjusted the Bluetooth earpiece he habitually wore on his left ear, and strolled past Lowell and Sybil casually.
He lowered his voice deliberately, pretending to be on a call. “Boss, that was so embarrassing. I was just trash–talking Lowell, and he caught every word. Yeah, he’s the guy who snagged that painting you were into.
“Whatever. Let him keep it. Herba’s got tons of other paintings besides ‘V Formation in Late Autumn.‘ We’ll grab another one next time.”
With that, Philip walked off.
Sybil looked at Lowell with an innocent expression and raised an eyebrow. “That guy seemed to be badmouthing you.”
Lowell turned back to Sybil, looking skeptical. “You don’t know the guy?”
Sybil shook her head. “I don’t know him at all. Do you know him? Why did he insult you?”
Lowell squinted his blue eyes. “You still haven’t swered me. What are you doing here?”
Sybil pretended to be annoyed and sighed. “Thanks to you, I got fired from Ace Group. Today, I heard there was an auctioneer position available, so I sent my resume and came for an interview.”
Lowell’s eyes still held a hint of doubt. “Did you get the offer?”
Sybil shook her head and shrugged. “Nah. They want someone with at least three
years of experience, and I’m not there yet.”
Lowell sized her up–she was small, If she stood on the auction platform, people might think it was a student supplies auction.
Sybil tilted her face and asked, “What are you doing here?”
“My grandpa is interested in some ancient bronze artifacts, so I’m here to bid on them. for him.”
“Oh, you’re quite the filial one. What a great grandson.”
Lowell frowned. Somehow, he felt Sybil was messing with him.
Just then, his phone rang. He picked up, his brow slightly creasing. He muttered a quick “Hmm” and hung up.
He paused for a moment, then glanced at Sybil. “What’s your next plan?”
Sybil shrugged casually, “I’ll head back to sending out resumes and keep looking for a job.”
Lowell gently patted her head with his rough hand and leaned in slightly, his voice firm
1/4
Chapter 18 Sybil Is Really Pretty
and irrefutable. “Come with me to a place. I can offer you a job.”
“What?” Sybil was stunned. Before she could process it, Lowell grabbed her wrist and
away.
started to pull her
*****
This was Sybil’s second time at Lunara Manor; the first was when Lowell had dragged her there for an engagement.
Surveying the setup–flower arches, red carpet, ribbons, and balloons–Sybil was stunned. She asked, “Lowell, what are you up to now? Please tell me you’re not planning another wedding.”
Lowell glanced sideways at her. “Why, do you enjoy marrying me? Even want another wedding?”
Sybil rolled her eyes, ready to fire back who
a chirpy voice called out. “Lowell!”
She turned to see a girl in a wedding dress, carefully holding her gown’s train as she rushed over, asking, “Did you bring the person I asked about?”
Lowell pulled Sybil forward and positioned her in front of Erin Marlow, the girl in the wedding dress. “Well, what do you think?” he asked.
Erin looked at Sybil and blinked.
Sybil felt like she was being sold off. Crossing her arms over her chest, she asked, ” What are you guys planning?”
Erin pouted, looking unhappy. “She’s gorgeous. Lowell, the bridesmaid you picked is even prettier than me–she’ll totally steal my thunder.”
Lowell glanced at Sybil, chuckling coldly. “Gorgeous? When did you go blind? Why didn‘ t you tell me?”
Erin was left speechless.
Sybil shot Lowell a look, her cheeks puffed out in frustration. ‘I got it. This bride is Lowell’s niece, and she needs a bridesmaid for her wedding today. So he took me here.‘ Sybil couldn’t help but complain, “Lowell, don’t you know Bridesmaids should be unmarried wornen? Plus, she’s your niece, and I’m your wife. How can a senior be a bridesmaid for a junior?”
Lowell’s brow furrowed.
Erin was surprised, “Oh, you’re really Lowell’s wife?”
Sybil nodded.
Erin warmly took Sybil’s hand and smiled. “Hey, I’m Erin. Lowell’s my uncle. My
bridesmaid crew got stuck in traffic, so I needed a last–minute stand–in. We don’t have time for all the usual’stuff right now.”
Sybil nodded. “Got it.”
Chapter 18 Sybil Is Really Pretty
“Come on, Sybil. Let’s get you into a bridesmaid dress,” Erin said, tugging her toward the dressing room.
Sybil gave Lowell a fierce glare. He had said he’d have a job for her, but it turned out she was here to be an unpaid bridesmaid.
Lowell glanced at Sybil’s annoyed face, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. He felt messing with her could be pretty entertaining.
Just then, Luther showed up with a glass of champagne, tapping Lowell’s shoulder. ” What are you looking at?”
Lowell snapped back to reality. “Nothing.”
“Charles is over there. Let’s have a drink with him.”
“Okay.”
*****
In the dressing room, Erin gestured to the dresses hanging on the rack. “Here are the four bridesmaid dresses I picked out. Go al four bridesmaid dresses I picked out. Go ahead and choose one you like.”
Sybil, who always dressed casually, reached for the one on top. “I’ll go with this one.”
Erin smiled. “Alright. Go ahead and change here. I’ll check if the other backup bridesmaids have shown up.”
“Okay.” Sybil nodded and headed into the changing room. She slipped on a light blue dress with spaghetti straps and delicate ruffles that made her look almost ethereal- like something out of a fairy tale,
She then settled onto the couch in the makeup room, waiting for Erin to return. Pulling out her phone, she checked Philip’s unread message and fired off a quick reply.
“Erin!” Someone suddenly entered the makeup room.
“Erin went out.” Sybil looked up and locked eyes with the man.
The man looked at her, a flicker of amazement in his eyes. “You-”
Just then, Erin walked back in. “Henry, why are you here?”
Henry Hoffman turned to Erin with a gentle smile. “Just checking in. Are all the bridesmaids lined up?”
Erin was confident. “Don’t worry. It’s all under control.”
“That’s good.” Henry nodded, then looked at Sybil and asked, “By the way, who is this?”
Erin pulled Sybil forward and grinned. “This is the bridesmaid Lowell found. Pretty gorgeous, right?”
“I see.” Henry offered a friendly hand to Sybil. “Hi, thank you for coming to help us out.” Henry, Erin’s soon–to–be husband, was a polished, good–looking guy. Sybil thought he looked familiar, but she couldn’t quite place where they might have crossed paths.
Chapter 18 Sybil Is Really Pretty
Politely, she shook his hand. “Glad to help.”
Henry offered a soft smile. However, what should have been a light handshake turned
into a firmer grip, his thumb subtly brushing against her palm.
Sybil paused and looked at Henry, frowning.
