With a swift movement, Ste dived into the crowd, enthusiastically greeting the newly arrived grand


    uncle. She attempted to strike up a pleasant conversation, mentioning how she had eagerly anticipated


    his arrival at the entrance for quite some time.


    “Sorry about Ste, Mrs. Lenoir,” Ariana apologized with an awkward smile at Cherise. “She’s always


    like this…”


    Cherise’s expression twisted with confusion and nostalgia as she observed Ste mingling in the


    crowd.


    Discovering that this seemingly pretentious and superficial Ste was actually her former high school


    ssmate was quite a revtion. She couldn’t help but let out a sigh.


    Although they once shared the same ssroom, they seemed to belong to entirely different worlds,


    with contrasting values and perspectives after those years in school.


    “Yeah, that makes sense,” Ariana considered, tapping her fingers. Since you’re the same age as Sav


    and Ste, and you all went to Shawbury High School, it’s totally possible you were ssmates.”


    Sheughed, continuing, “I never imagined you’d have been in the same ss as them and Steve, my


    new brother-inw. I invited you here for a good time, little did we know it would be a high school


    reunion. Funny how things turn out, right? Oh, by the way, Sav has invited a lot of her ex-ssmates


    here today. Maybe chatting with them will trigger some memories!”


    Cherise nodded, “I hope so.”


    Just then, Damien and ke approached. Mr. Hampson and Otto went to park the car and arrange


    amodations for the next few days.


    “Deep in conversation, I see. What’s the gossip?” Damien quizzed.


    “Guess what! The bride and groom today are actually my old high school ssmates!” Cherise


    beamed, linking arms with Damien.


    “Wouldn’t be surprised if the bride was my old BFF,” she teased.


    Damien finally lifted his gaze, scanning the names of the groom and bride for the day. He chuckled,


    “You’re spot on. She was.”


    Cherise’s eyes widened in surprise. “No way! Really?”


    “Absolutely, Damien replied, a gentle smile gracing his lips. He mentioned he’d recently delved into her


    past, confirming Savannah as her high school BE


    “But he continued, his tone thoughtful, ‘during our investigation, we discovered that back in high school,


    Savannah didn’t seem to have much interaction with her supposed fiancé.”


    ording to reports from Shawbury, Savannah, who was once close to Cherise in high school, was


    romantically involved with another ssmate. support her boyfriend’s studies with the money she


    earned.


    As a result, she gradually lost touch with her high school friends, including Cherise.


    “Follow me,” Ariana beckoned Cherise upstairs, leading her to a table where their former ssmates


    were gathered in the corner.


    “Please, take a seat. Excuse me while I go greet my family,” Ariana excused herself before departing.


    This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    Cherise nodded appreciatively, sharing a meaningful nce with Ariana before she departed.


    “Hey, Cherry! Over here!” a man near the staircase called out, recognizing Cherise as he approached


    and warmly weing her.


    Afterward, turning to the others at the table, he dered proudly, “See, I told you she’de! Cherise


    was Savannah’s closest friend in high school. I knew she wouldn’t miss this. You guys doubted me!”


    Fetching two chairs, he gestured for Cherise and Damien to join them. “Since you’ve been living in the


    city since graduation, you rarelye back, right? So when I received Savannah’s wedding invitation


    recently, I knew you’d make the trip back for it. And here you are.”