9

Mijyne Event Hall.

Roberto alighted from the vehicle and headed to the other side to open the door for his wife. Not that he was trying to be a sweet gentleman. No, he didn't even want to show his face at whatever event Miriam was going to.

But... for the sake of his reputation and freedom, he had to.

He was dressed in a beaded blue suit jacket, black pants and an equally black turtle-necked inner shirt. He helped his wife out of the car and gently shut the door behind her. She was wearing a beige-coloured sequinned gown that accentuated her curves and height. Miriam was indeed beautiful. A pity she had become a shrew and a blackmailing spouse.

Whatever, he just wanted to get this function over with and retire to bed for good.

He had decided. He would be sleeping in the guestroom tonight for some peace of mind.

This place lived up to its fame. Just the parking lot spoke of grandness and riches. He could see several people, dressed elegantly, making their way over to the event hall.

Reluctantly, he had to hook arms with his wife and head into the venue. He also had to smile and act all natural, which sickened him to his stomach.

A short while after entering the venue, he was shocked. Not because of the riches spent on decorating the hall. Or the amazing food. Or the number of distinguished entities in the place. It was because this was a welcoming party held by Fawn Corporation. CEOs of small companies were even present in the prodigious place. But he never got an invitation. 

If it weren't for Miriam, he would not even be aware.

His hands, which were placed in his pants pocket, clenched hard. Those bastards... they indeed looked down on him.

In the past, he looked down at them from a high position. But now, it was the reverse. So hateful!

"Darling, why are you just standing? You're not a statue," his wife, who had previously gone to socialise with her annoying set of friends present at the function, had now returned, a glass of wine in hand.

"When is it ending?" he asked, his tone gloomy.

She furrowed her brows in mystification. "What is ending?" she questioned.

"The party," he responded, not hiding his displeasure.

He hadn't even accepted a glass of wine earlier out of spite for Fawn Corporation!

"Seriously, Roberto?" she frowned, "We just got here," she whisper-yelled.

"You're the one who wanted to come here," he pointed out with a deep scowl, almost raising his voice, making her panic.

"Can you lower your voice? And besides, did I tie you up and bring you here?" she questioned in disgruntlement.

"You obviously blackmailed me, Miriam. I'm investigating, and I warn you, if I find out you lied just to extend the expiry date of our sinking marriage ship, I will..."

She scoffed in the face of his threat. "Investigate as deeply as you can. But right now, you better act properly," saying this, she handed him her glass of wine before harrumphing and leaving to join others.

After a while of standing there, consumed by his rage, which he couldn't let out, he decided to distract himself.

Now he remembered. Distinguished CEOs and other esteemed individuals were present at this party. Instead of being here and brooding, why shouldn't he try out his luck amongst them and see if he can land a better deal than the previous one with Fawn Corporation?

A business smile spread across his features as he made his way to his targets.

However, a long while later, he stood at a corner, apparently disappointed. He hadn't managed to land any good deals. Instead, his targets treated him like he was an outcast, a fucking plague.

His mood became increasingly sour. He hated that every bastard in this place was smiling and chatting like it was their main purpose in life. 

He hated this goddamn party! 

He hated the host company even more. 

When he eventually made it, he would be sure to make Fawn Corporation go bankrupt. 

Lily came to his mind. She unexpectedly was the legendary Peony of whom his wife loved her designs.

If the latter knew that the Peony whom she so adored was his ex-wife, how dark and twisted her face would become.

Ha, he couldn't wait to see that.

The CEO of Fawn Corporation took the stage and after a while of speaking, he smiled brightly and extended his right hand forward. "Please, welcome, the one and only, Lily Shawn, popularly known by her stage name, Peony."

At that the members of the audience looked towards the entrance, after parting to form a path. 

The lights dimmed, and a spotlight materialised close to the entrance. Everyone waited with bated breath for the star of the event to appear.

A figure entered the hall, and everything one could guess it was the illustrious designer. 

Many females here loved buying anything made by this icon. 

Having to see her in person was a dream come true for many.