Hello, Ex! I Finally Found My Worth!-Chapter 132: Common Face

When they arrived there, they all had the same smile of approval on their faces as they looked around.

The lounge was as serene as Ivy had described. Soft lighting bathed the room in a warm, golden hue, and the gentle hum of conversation filled the air.

The group walked in together, their footsteps muffled by the plush carpet.

"This is nice," Emma said, looking around appreciatively.

Alex nodded in agreement. "Ivy wasn't kidding. It's quiet, but not too quiet. Perfect for tonight," he said as they continued walking further inside.

They found a corner spot with a comfortable arrangement of armchairs and a low table. Everyone settled down, ordering drinks while the conversation flowed easily.

"Emma, your necklace is beautiful, though," Chris said, already thinking of getting one for Claire so she could wear it to his mother's place.

He had told his mom a lot about Claire, and he couldn't wait to take her there and have her blessings so he could marry her straight away.

"Thank you. Alex surprised me with it," she said, and everyone smiled, glad that Alex was indeed taking care of Emma and spoiling her.

Claire looked at how happy Emma was and couldn't help wondering how she would be when she discovered Alex was planning to give her an even bigger surprise on her birthday.

"Where's Hunter, though?" Emma asked after some time, glancing at Ivy. "Is he running late?"

Ivy shrugged, though her cheeks flushed slightly. "Probably caught in traffic. He'll be here soon."

Just as she said that Hunter walked in. Dressed sharply in a navy blue blazer over a casual white shirt, he exuded confidence. His gaze swept across the room before landing on Ivy, and his face lit up with a smile.

"There he is," Ivy said, standing to wave him over.

Hunter approached, his stride easy and self-assured. Ivy introduced him to the group. "Everyone, this is Hunter. Hunter, meet Emma, Alex's wife and my best friend. This is Alex, and this is Claire, his sister. This is Chris, my and Emma's college friend and Claire's boyfriend."

Hunter shook hands with Emma and Alex first, exchanging polite greetings. When he turned to Claire, her brow furrowed slightly as she studied him.

"Have we met before?" Claire asked, her tone curious but not confrontational.

Hunter's expression remained calm, though there was a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes. "I don't think so," he replied. "I just have one of those faces. People mix me up all the time."

Claire hesitated for a moment but then nodded. "Maybe. Nice to meet you, anyway."

"Likewise," Hunter said with a small smile.

With introductions out of the way, Emma turned to Ivy and Claire. "Why don't we take our own table and leave them to get acquainted?" she asked, and even though she knew Alex was probably giving her a bombastic side-eye, she didn't look.

"Yeah. That is a good idea," Ivy said as she, Emma and Claire took their drinks to another table, leaving the men to their own conversation.

As they sat down, Emma turned to Claire. "So... what was that about with Hunter? Do you know him from anywhere?" she asked since she didn't want to do that with the rest of the guys there.

Ivy, who had been about to ask Claire that same question, turned to Claire curiously.

Claire waved her hand dismissively. "Nothing. He just looks like someone I know."

Ivy raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. "Are you sure?" she asked since she had also thought his name sounded really familiar the first time she heard it.

Claire sighed. "Yeah. What's his full name, anyway? Hunter Quinn?"

Ivy smiled, sipping her drink before shaking her head. "No. Hunter Stone."

Immediately she said that, Claire's eyes widened slightly, recognition dawning. Hunter Stone. Son of Mr. Stone, the owner of Stone's Foods, one of Frenchies and Fries fiercest business rivals. Ivy owned Frenchies and Fries, so does that mean she's trying to use him or what?

Claire mused looking at Ivy, wondering if she knew who Hunter truly was.

"Is something wrong?" Emma asked, noticing Claire's reaction.

Claire shook her head quickly. "No, nothing," she said, deciding to keep her thoughts to herself for now.

She didn't want to ruin the evening, nor did she want to make assumptions about Ivy's relationship with Hunter.

Changing the subject, Claire said, "Ivy, after tonight, I think we should be friends, too. Unless, of course, you and Emma think I'm too old for that," she said casually.

Ivy laughed. "Too old? Claire, you're not that much older than us. And honestly, I already started considering you a friend since that day at the hospital."

Claire smiled, touched by Ivy's words. "I'm glad to hear that. You're a good person, Ivy."

At the men's table, Hunter was making an effort to bond with Alex and Chris. He listened attentively as Chris shared a funny story about an office mishap and even chimed in with his own anecdotes.

But as much as he tried to stay focused, his gaze kept drifting toward the women's table. Specifically, toward Claire.

She's probably figured it out by now, he thought. Claire Sterling wasn't someone easily fooled. If she knew who he was, what would she do? Would she tell Ivy? Would she confront him directly?

They had indeed met at Late Mr Sterling's burial when he had accompanied his father. Maybe the reason Alex didn't recognize him was because he hadn't been there.

Had Claire remembered? He hoped not, otherwise tonight would be a disaster for him.

Alex noticed Hunter's glances and leaned closer to Chris. "Looks like someone's got it bad for Ivy," he smirked.

Chris chuckled, his tone teasing. "Can you blame him? Ivy's great."

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Alex nodded in agreement. "True. But man, he can't take his eyes off her. He's staring like she's the only one in the room."

Hunter, overhearing the exchange, decided not to correct them. It was better for them to think he was smitten with Ivy than for them to suspect the real reason he was distracted.

Still, their teasing made him laugh. "Alright, alright," he said, raising his hands in mock surrender. "You caught me. Ivy's amazing. What can I say?"

Alex and Chris laughed, and the conversation shifted back to lighter topics, but Hunter couldn't help but glance toward Claire one more time, hoping that tonight wouldn't be ruined by his secret.