Chapter 3: The Mysterious Designer

The Grand Star Charity Gala was the most prestigious event in New York City. The ballroom was filled with celebrities, business tycoons, and socialites in expensive gowns.

Jackson stood in the center of the crowd, holding a glass of champagne. He looked bored. His sharp suit fit him perfectly, making him the focus of everyone's attention.

Hanging on his arm was Chloe. She was wearing a flashy white dress, trying to act like the perfect partner.

"Jackson, honey, look at that diamond necklace," Chloe purred, pressing her body against his arm. "It would look great on me."

Jackson pulled his arm away slightly, frowning. "We are here for business, Chloe. Not for shopping."

Chloe bit her lip, annoyed but trying to hide it. Five years ago, she thought she had won. She thought getting Jackson divorced would mean she would become Mrs. Sterling immediately.

But she was wrong.

For five years, Jackson never married her. He became colder, more work-obsessed. He let her stay by his side, but he never gave her the title of "Wife".

"Ladies and Gentlemen," the host's voice boomed from the stage, interrupting the chatter.

"Tonight, we have a very special surprise. Please welcome the legendary jewelry designer who just returned from Paris... Miss Vera!"

The spotlight cut through the darkness and focused on the grand staircase.

Silence fell over the ballroom. Everyone held their breath.

A woman slowly descended the stairs.

She was wearing a stunning black evening gown that hugged her curves like a second skin. The fabric shimmered under the light like the night sky. Her hair, once kept in a simple ponytail when she was a housewife, now fell in luxurious waves over her bare shoulders.

She didn't wear much jewelry. She was the jewel.

Her posture was regal, her chin lifted high. She looked like a queen looking down at her subjects.

Clatter.

The champagne glass slipped from Jackson's hand and shattered on the floor.

He ignored the mess. He ignored the gasps of people around him. His eyes were fixed on the woman on the stairs. His pupils dilated in shock.

"Serenity?" he whispered, his voice hoarse.

It couldn't be.

The Serenity he remembered was plain, quiet, and submissive. She always wore cheap clothes and kept her head down. She was nothing like this breathtaking goddess.

But that face... he would know that face anywhere.

Chloe, standing next to him, turned pale. Her fingernails dug into her palms. "How... how is she here?"

Vera (Serenity) reached the bottom of the stairs. The host rushed over to hand her the microphone.

"Thank you," her voice was smooth and melodious, echoing in the silent hall. "I am Vera. It's an honor to be back in New York."

She scanned the crowd with a polite smile. Her eyes swept over Jackson and Chloe without pausing, as if they were invisible air.

As she stepped into the crowd, people swarmed her, offering compliments and business cards.

Jackson felt a surge of irrational anger. How dare she ignore him?

Without thinking, he pushed through the crowd, striding towards her. His tall figure cast a shadow over her.

"Serenity!" Jackson grabbed her wrist. His grip was tight. "What are you doing here?"

The music seemed to stop. The people around them went quiet, sensing the tension between the business king and the mysterious designer.

Serenity stopped. She slowly lowered her gaze to his hand on her wrist, then looked up at his face.

There was no love in her eyes. No pain. No fear. only cold indifference.

She tilted her head slightly, a puzzled smile playing on her red lips.

"Sir, you are hurting me," she said calmly.

"Don't play games with me," Jackson growled, his eyes burning. "You disappeared for five years. Now you come back pretending to be someone else?"

Serenity laughed softly. It was a beautiful sound, but it made Jackson's heart clench.

She gently but firmly pulled her hand out of his grip.

"I'm afraid you have mistaken me for someone else, Mr. Sterling," she said. Her tone was polite, professional, and incredibly distant.

"My name is Vera. I have never met you before."

She took a step closer to him, lowering her voice so only he—and Chloe, who had just rushed over—could hear.

"But I heard about your ex-wife. Poor woman. I heard you treated her like trash."

Jackson froze, his face turning rigid.

Serenity didn't give him a chance to respond. She turned to the host with a dazzling smile. "Is there somewhere I can get a drink? The air here is a bit... suffocating."

With that, she walked away, the train of her black dress flowing behind her like water. She didn't look back once.

Jackson stood there, his hand still suspended in the air. For the first time in his life, he felt a strange panic rising in his chest.

She denied him.

She looked him in the eye and erased their past completely.

"Jackson..." Chloe reached for his arm again, her voice trembling. "That bitch... she's lying!"

"Shut up," Jackson snapped, his eyes still glued to Serenity's retreating figure.

He saw a young, handsome male model walk up to Serenity and hand her a drink. Serenity smiled at the man—a genuine, happy smile.

Jackson clenched his fists until his knuckles turned white. A fire of jealousy, hot and unfamiliar, exploded in his gut.

She says she is not Serenity? Fine.

I will tear off her mask and make her admit who she belongs to.