LOGINAt five that evening, Miranda got a message from Felix saying he was taking Mia to the wedding reception for dinner and asking whether she wanted to come too.Miranda declined and told him to just make sure Mia ate well.That, of course, was exactly the answer Felix had expected.That night, Leo brought Vivian as well. The two little girls sat side by side, each with her guardian nearby, and more than a few people found themselves looking over at them with quiet admiration.Some of the guests were even quietly entertaining the idea of whether their own sons might one day have a chance with one of those girls. If they could somehow become in-laws with the Gibson family or the Lincoln family, their children would never have to struggle the way ordinary people did. It was the kind of wealth that could change a family’s future for generations.That night also gave many people a glimpse of a side of Felix they never saw in business. In the corporate world, he was known for being sharp,
Xena felt a bitter ache spread through her chest.She had once been so close to that world. Close enough to feel as though she could almost reach out and touch it.And now they were all still standing high above her, dazzling as ever, while she no longer even had the right to walk over and say hello.Once, she had believed that by pushing Hayden and using Miranda as a wedge, she could drive a permanent rift between the three of them. In the end, it hadn’t worked. Leo and Felix had clearly repaired their friendship, and it looked as though Leo had stepped back from whatever feelings he once had for Miranda, leaving that chance to Felix.After all, when Leo’s company ran into trouble overseas last time, it had been Felix who stepped in and pulled him out. That alone had only made their bond stronger.Now Xena was trapped at Peter’s side. From the outside, her life still looked glamorous, but only she knew how cold it really felt.Just then, Peter came stumbling back toward her, c
The formal toasting portion of the wedding had been skipped, but later in the evening, Hayden made his way through the room with Sera at his side, thanking guests table by table.A little while later, Mrs. Harris brought her new daughter-in-law over to greet the wives’ circle.Several of the women were already crowding around, eager to shower Sera with compliments.“The bride looks absolutely stunning tonight.”“She really does. That gown was custom-made in Danesia, wasn’t it? It suits you perfectly.”“Mrs. Harris, you are so lucky. You’ve gained such a beautiful daughter-in-law.”Mrs. Harris was dressed in an elegant red gown with intricate detailing. She looked beautifully put together, and tonight, she was clearly in wonderful spirits. “From now on, I hope you’ll all look after Sera.”“Of course we will.”Sera accepted the praise with easy grace, her face glowing with the sweetness of a new bride. “Thank you all so much.”One of the women immediately held out a glass of red
Xena was no ordinary woman, and she smiled lightly. “Mrs. Leonard, you’re flattering me. That’s all in the past. Felix and I were only ever friends, so please don’t take those rumors seriously.”The two women exchanged a glance at once.Just friends?They were not blind. If Xena had failed to hook Felix, all that meant was that her game hadn’t been strong enough. Hearing her try to distance herself now was almost funny.Xena went on, turning a tender gaze toward Peter across the room. “But then I met Peter. He’s mature, steady, and he understands me much better. Being with him is the greatest blessing I could have.”The two women smiled at each other again, trading knowing looks while keeping their social smiles perfectly in place.“Well then, congratulations on finding true love, Ms. Spencer.”“Yes, true love is hard to come by. Besides, isn’t there a saying that in front of true love, age is just a number?”The smile on Xena’s face stiffened for just a second.There was some
As the two most important groomsmen, Felix and Leo were seated in the front row at the head table. Both of them were genuinely happy for their friend.Xena and Peter were seated a little farther back. Xena’s eyes were fixed on the ballroom doors too, but there was resentment buried in her gaze. She hadn’t forgotten the humiliation Sera had dealt her, and she had no intention of forgetting it now.At that moment, the heavy ballroom doors slowly opened.The bride appeared in a white wedding gown, her arm linked through her father’s as she stepped gracefully into view. Beneath the veil, her delicate features and shy smile could just be made out.As Hayden watched his bride walk toward him one step at a time, his eyes suddenly turned red. Excitement and love lit up his handsome face all at once.Amid the applause and cheers filling the room, the bride kept walking steadily toward the groom waiting for her on the stage.Seated where he was, Felix followed her with his eyes, but his fo
And yet he wouldn’t even spare her a glance. Faced with that absolute indifference, everything she had thought and hoped felt ridiculous and pointless.Just then, Peter noticed her distraction and gave her arm a displeased pinch.Xena snapped back to herself at once. She pulled her gaze away, looked up at Peter with studied softness, and tightened her hold on his arm as if he were the only piece of driftwood left in her life.“Peter, let’s go in,” she said in a deliberately sweet voice.Peter liked that version of her well enough. He slipped an arm around her waist. “Come on. I’ll introduce you to a few people.”Xena flashed him a practiced, alluring smile, but as she turned her eyes, they landed on another gaze instead.Leo’s.He was standing with a drink in hand, talking with a few guests. When he happened to look her way, their eyes met head-on.The smile on Xena’s face froze. A rush of embarrassment and humiliation rose in her chest.If Felix was the man she could never ha
Miranda nodded thoughtfully and continued discussing it with James for a while. The condition was so rare that even he did not know much about it.Just then, her phone chimed. She glanced down. It was a message from Leo.“Miranda, could I trouble you to pick up Vivian today? I have a meeting that
“Let go.” Miranda turned and yanked her arm hard. Felix’s grip was firm. No matter how many times she tried, she could not pull free. Anger surged instantly. She raised her right hand and swung it hard at Felix’s face.Slap.The sharp sound echoed down the hallway.Felix’s head snapped to the s
Leo looked at Mike with a hint of surprise. “A major general? You're remarkably young for such a high rank, Mr. Lloyd.”Mike recognized Leo’s name as well. “I’ve heard a lot about you, Mr. Lincoln. Your achievements in the shipping industry are quite well-known.”Leo gave a modest smile. “You flat
At eight that evening, Miranda asked Mrs. Young to stay downstairs with Mia while she took the video call in her study. Eugene’s old notebook sat open beside her.“Dr. Stone, thank you for taking the time to speak with me,” Dr. Smith said, adjusting his glasses as he flipped through a report on his







