OLIVIA'S REJJECTION 71

With such statement, they concluded that she had married a grotesque and was hiding him, and that explained why she did not invite them. While they were chatting, she handed out their packs of comestibles and drinks to them. Both friends and foes, collected and appreciated. Then, Lorene Walker spoke,

“Now that you are married, Arthur will consider remarrying. I am happy for you.”

Nevertheless, Nichole gave a deaf ear to their jesting because they were the same group of people who taunted her often with repulsive comments like,

(Arthur had refused to remarry because of your presence in his life. Why not remarry so that he can be free to remarry too?)

Before, now, such idle talk hurt her, especially when she remembered that Arthur kept ignoring her. Now, she would absorb such comment and keep her head high as the legitimate and famous First Lady of the Bailey's Family. So, she did not give their idle talks a thought, and she concentrated on handing out the packs to her colleagues, and