<b>Chapter </b><b>482 </b>


    A few people quietly slipped out of the lounge.


    Tyler followed. Jordan also left with his girlfriend.


    Scott cast a silent nce at the couple cuddled together on the sofa <b>His </b>eyes dimmed slightly before he, too, walked <b>out</b>.


    That evening, the birthday party officially kicked off.


    The bar on the first floor pulsed with shing lights and upbeat music.


    The DJ was moving along with the rhythm on stage atmosphere.


    After a round of excitement, the music faded. Megan


    the


    crowd below danced and sang<b>, </bpletely immersed in the lively


    med onto the stage and picked up the microphone.


    “Thank you all so much foring to my birthday party tonight.”


    She had changed out of the mermaid–style gown she wore earlier and now sported a ck spaghetti strap dress that matched the bar’s party vibe. Her hair was styled in big waves, paired with a smokey eye look–bold and sexy.


    Standing under the stage lights, she delivered her opening remarks before shifting to something more emotional.


    “Tonight, I want to thank someone very special. Her name is Charlotte Riley.‘


    <i>” </i>


    Standing in the front row, Charlotte met Megan’s gaze.


    Megan looked straight at her, her voice sincere and full of emotion. <b>“</b>If it weren’t for her, I might not even be here today. She saved my life, and I’ll always be grateful for that.”


    She paused<b>, </b>then continued, her tone more somber, “There’s something I want to officially rify tonight. I’m just friends with Mr. Sean Jasper. Mr. Jasper and Charlotte are together, so please stop teasing me about him from now on.”


    Her words were firm and deliberate.


    “I admit it–I used to have strong feelings for Mr. Jasper. But that’s in the past now. It’s over. I’ve moved on. I hope everyone else can too. I don’t want anyone using ‘concern for me‘ as an excuse to put me in ufortable situations. And I certainly don’t want anyoneing between Mr. Jasper and Miss Riley.”


    A wave of whispers spread through the crowd.


    “No way… is that true? Megan used to be in love with Sean Jasper?‘ve never heard that before.”


    “She must’ve only told people close to her. I’ve known her for three years and didn’t have a clue.”


    “This is wild. She really just got up there and publicly dered she’s over him? What happened?”


    “I heard she had a huge fight with Summer earlier today. They argued like crazy. Might’ve even cut ties.”


    “What? Aren’t they longtime best friends? Why would they suddenly fall out? Think it’s because of Sean?”


    “Could be.”


    “Wait, Sean and Charlotte got back together? When did that happen? I remember her family released a public statement months ago canceling the engagement.”


    “Yeah, I remember that too. And didn’t Sean have some rumored fling with that actress, Lucinda Lambert?”


    “Right! The media said she was about to marry into a rich family.


    “Probably just a PR stunt. Families like Sean’s aren’t gonna let a celebrity marry in.‘


    <b>“</b><b>Who</b><b>? </b><b>Lucinda </b>Lambert? Don’t tell me you mean the one I know?


    You know Lucinda Lambert?”


    “You mean <b>the </b>one signed under Sunbeam Entertainment? The Alister?”


    “Yeah, that one. You know her?”


    “Yeah, I know her. Lucinda Lambert’s just her stage name–her real name’s Jane Lambert. She’s actually <b>a </b>socialite from <b>the </b>


    Lambert family in Trinity City, and she’s Sean’s distant cousin. That whole scandal was probably just a mix–up. I even saw her at the Jaspers‘ New Year party.”


    “For real?”


    “Dead serious.”


    冷


    Mia looked stunned. She gave a big thumbs–up. “Megan’s got guts I respect that.‘


    <b>“</b><b>1 </b>


    Lena added, “I used to doubt her after what happened with Thomas but I guess I was wrong.”