Chapter 163 - Do Not Open

Just as planned, Devon, Bella, and Dion snuck away from the people flocking around them when they had the chance. They knew this was the only way to proceed to their plan or else they would get dragged to the after-party. Fortunately, they managed to excuse themselves one after another.

The three of them decided to go to a club Dion frequented back in the day. It was the only nightclub Lewis could go to since he didn't have to deal with annoying loud music and people who wanted to curry favor with him. The building had floors that separated guests for the night, members for a month, and VIPS. 

Dion and Bella were celebrities. So, it was a perfect place to go to if they wanted to avoid headlines. He had also sent Mike an invitation, but Dion was unsure if he would follow them.

"I've been here before," Bella muttered as they went straight to the private elevator from the parking space. "Although it's my first time taking this elevator."

She glanced at Dion, who had an access card to this elevator. The latter glanced back at the two girls behind him and shrugged.

"Kai put this elevator for our Ge. It's not my first time taking this as I like the attention whenever I use the main entrance." Dion let out a sigh while his shoulder lowered. "But this is better since I don't want to see people right now."

"Does CEO Qin have everything specifically made for him?"

"Ah?" he furrowed his brows, staring at Bella. Devon as well. She didn't quite understand her friend's inquiry.

"I mean, in the Qin Empire, there is an elevator solely for CEO Qin. If I heard correctly, even company directors and shareholders don't take that legendary elevator..." Bella explained and added more examples in between. "This elevator too. It looks like it is made solely for CEO Qin."

Dion thought about it for a second and realized what Bella pointed out. She had a point, honestly. Everything about Lewis, elevator, restaurants, company, car and just everything looked like they were created to please him. Even if the business establishments weren't under the Qin Family, some places Lewis would frequent for meetings had a special place for him. 

"I don't think so?" Devon tilted her head, only to receive the disbelief look from the two of them. "Lu can go to places he is uncomfortable with."

"That's because he is with you, sis." Dion pouted, realizing how his big brother turn into a completely different person. 

"I don't know if you are lucky or get worried, honestly," Bella muttered while sighing, shaking her head slightly.

It might be flattering that the king in the business industry was head over heels to Devon. Although Bella was certain that Devon and Lewis loved each other, being associated with such a man was alarming in its own way. 

Bella might not say it aloud, but Lewis could destroy Devon's life if he wanted to. She hoped this was just a wild imagination, as she wanted the best for her friend. But still, anything could happen in a relationship.

She glanced at Dion, who was now talking to Devon. Her lips pursed as Bella truly prayed that Lewis and Devon wouldn't have such problems in the future. Because if they came to that point, Bella was certain Devon and Dion's relationship would also change. The latter would always side with his brothers, after all. 

DING!

When the sound of the elevator came in to notify them they had arrived, Dion halted from talking and gazed at the door sliding open. Bella also snapped her eyes and cleared her thoughts.

"Come. Although this is strange..." Dion mumbled as he looked at the two ladies behind him. 

"It's weird because we used to party by groups." Bella shook her head and hooked her arms around Devon. A bright smile dominated her face as she asked her, "Let's go?"

Devon smiled, closed-lipped, and nodded. The three of them headed to the floor a few levels above where the real party was at. Unlike the wild nightclub with loud music and people dancing as if there was no tomorrow, the floor they headed in had fewer people. 

It looked more like a lounge bar, as they had many tables to choose from. Devon looked around while following them until they perched on the round table near the corner. Well, they just wanted to chill and have some drinks, and not to party. This was also what the three of them prepared. 

"So... what now?" Dion inquired, darting his eyes from Devon to Bella across from him. 

"What do you mean, what now?" Bella rolled her eyes as she leaned back, resting her leg over the other. "We stay like this."

"I like the ambiance," Devon chimed in, listening to the rather soothing jazz music playing in the background.

Bella and Dion looked at each other momentarily. She then smiled and let out a brief chuckle.

"Who would have thought?" she muttered while casting the two of them a look. "Back then, I always think partying with fewer people is a waste of time and boring. But now, I know I was wrong."

"Right." Dion nodded in agreement, gazing up as the waiter arrived and served the drinks. "That's why I hate parties now. It is just annoying to be with loud people and loud places. It's annoying."

"You sound like a grandpa." Bella teased as she leaned forward to grab her glass of margarita. "I used to stalk you so I know a lot."

Dion shivered, as he could not help but rub his shoulders. "Why would you say that now?"

"I don't understand why youngsters in here like loud places," Devon murmured as she was already sipping on the straw of her glass of juice. She was still traumatized the last time she drank in the party and nearly stripped Lewis bare.

"Sis, honestly, I think you have an old soul," Dion commented and chuckled while staring at Devon. "Have you always been like that before?"

"I'm always like this."

"Are you sure?" asked Bella as she raised her brows. "I didn't like you at first so that Avah slandered you to me."

"Who?" a frown instantly resurfaced on Dion's face. "Who dared slander my sister behind her back?"

Devon also cocked her head to the side, blinking innocently. She forgot where she heard that name, but she was certain she had already heard it somewhere.

"That Avah... remember? The first time you went to Dainasty?" Bella cast the two of them a knowing look, and they immediately nodded their head when the realization struck them. "Well, apparently, she said Devon was an ungrateful and an arrogant wench. To make it short, Dev is an unbothered queen who never bats an eye on anyone who confessed to her. No one can also bully her because she will beat them up, literally. Avah just sounded like an insecure lady who cannot surpass her, so she was trying to drag my best friend down."

Dion's brows rose as he peered at Devon. He couldn't question the statement Bella said, as that seemed like the Devon he knew. Now he wondered if Devon ever had a relationship before Lewis. This thought had never crossed Dion, but the more he thought about it, he couldn't help but wonder.

Devon was very pretty — no doubt about that. It wouldn't be a surprise if a lot of men would get attracted to her. 

"Dev, have you had a lover?" Bella inquired as she was just as curious as Dion. The latter's ears clapped as he gazed at Devon intently. 

Devon, who had these their attention, could not help but purse her lips. In this world, Lewis was the first. Unless she would have to consider Ghost Lin's love life. If she thought about her previous life, she was married. 

"I... had one," she confessed to feed their curiosity, hoping they wouldn't ask more. But she was wrong. She could see in their eyes that their curiosity increased even more.

"Well." Devon cleared her throat while darting her eyes between the two. Describing Ghost Lin's ex-lover and her ex-husband was akin to describing the same person. 

"He is... an incredible man and a leader." She pressed her lips into a thin line. In the end, she still thought of her brother.

"I can't deny that he is wise and is good at leadership."

Bella frowned as she suddenly lost her interest. "Is that why you liked him?" this sounded like a man they all knew. Lewis. 

Does Devon have a pattern? 

"I didn't say I like him." 

"What?" Dion frowned, a little confused at Devon's strange answer. "How come you became lovers when you don't even like him?"

Suddenly, a memory resurfaced in Dion's head. It was the time Lewis told him to be sensitive enough since Devon had some sort of trauma. He didn't like to jump to conclusions, but it would only make sense if that trauma Lewis mentioned had something to do with this. 

He wanted to ask her, but he figured he shouldn't. Instead, Dion planned to stop Bella from probing. But before he could, Dion raised his head as soon as he heard a voice approaching them.

"Dion, you're also here?" asked Julian as he gazed at the two other women. 

Unlike Bella, who sported a kind smile, Devon didn't even look. Instead, she clasped her hand as they just automatically shook.. This time, Dion had noticed the change in Devon's countenance and reaction.