After a moment, he suggested, "I've arranged to meet with Uncle George for dinner tonight. Why don't you come and discuss it with him?"
That evening, dressed and ready, I rode with my parents to the restaurant.
Upon arriving, I pushed open the door to the private dining room, and my heart stopped for a second.
Jack was there, casually dressed in a black T-shirt, looking as charming as ever.
I managed a brief glance at him before warmly greeting his dad, "Hello, Uncle George."
Uncle George smiled warmly and nodded, "Ginny, it's been too long. You've grown so much. Come, join us for dinner."
I nodded and deliberately chose a seat next to my mom, avoiding sitting by Jack.
His reaction was palpable; he paused while pulling out a chair, then pushed it back in, his expression turning sour.
Noticing the awkwardness between us, his dad tried to keep Jack involved with me.
He served me food and filled my glass, yet our interaction was constrained and uncomfortable.
Maybe it was all the water, but soon, I excused myself to use the restroom.
As I left the room, the door to an adjacent room opened as well.
I was stunned to see Liz McKibben emerge.
As our eyes met, her complexion turned ashen. I was as well astonished.
She was dressed in a purple dress that accentuated her waist, her eyes quickly darting downward as she started shaking.
Confronting her, I couldn't help but ask in a cold tone, "What are you doing here?"
I glanced suspiciously at the room behind her, assessing her from head to toe.
Given the restaurant's luxurious nature, how could Liz, reportedly from a modest background, afford to be here?
Suspicion rising, I moved to bypass her to enter the room.
She blocked my way.
I pushed her aside with force, and she cried out in pain, tumbling to the ground unexpectedly.
As I reached for the door handle, ready to push it open, I heard Jack's stern voice from behind.
"Ginny! What are you doing?!"
Turning around, I saw him hurrying to Liz's side, kneeling to check her injuries.
Her knees were scraped and bleeding, her face tear-streaked and forlorn.
He glanced at the wounds then looked up at me with intense eyes, "Ginny, you need to apologize to Liz now!"
Anger surged through me.
He was siding with her without knowing all the facts?
I loosed the door handle, my eyes fixed on Liz. Approaching them, I sneered, "Apologize? Sure, but first, let's clear something up."