جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 330

Rebecca barely left the house for the next few days. Her whole world narrowed to Josette.Josette was improving steadily, though she was still fragile. It was better for her to stay at home and rest quietly.Gabriel, meanwhile, had disappeared into a whirlwind of work. He went out before dawn and returned home after dark.Rebecca hardly saw him until the morning he took Josette for her visa interview. He apologized for his busy schedule, having no time to keep them company.Josette brushed it off. "Work comes first. We're fine, honey."He then brought up the banquet. "Feeling up for it? If you do, Hugo will send gowns and jewelry over for a try-on."She shook her head. "I'll sit this one out. Becky, do you want to go and have some fun?"Rebecca hesitated, guessing that since Gabriel was new, maybe he didn't yet understand local etiquette. As host, he might need her there, but her leg was unsightly for a grand occasion like that.After a beat, she nodded decisively. If he were a

"Yeah." Derek pulled out a velvet tray of samples. "Every pair sold out. Customers used to beg her to take more orders, but she always refused. Now she's suddenly open to it, and there's already a long waiting list. I told them the mysterious designer wasn't accepting new clients. Figured I'd square up with her today."Gabriel Perry looked at the exquisite purple-diamond cufflinks in his hand; his eyes grew even darker.Rebecca had no idea what was happening in the lounge. She stepped out in a champagne gown, walking a little stiffly with the assistant's help."How do I look?" she asked, self-conscious.It was her classic color—gentle, elegant, and safe."Beautiful," Gabriel said, studying her. "But it's not even close to what I had in mind."He glanced at Derek, who instructed the assistant, "Queen of the ballroom. Bring the vintage burgundy."The moment the gown was brought out, Rebecca's breath caught.The red was breathtaking. Not loud or cheap, it was deep, shadowed, and a

Rebecca shook her head. "Sonia is Aiden's wife, so it makes sense for her to attend that event. If she wanted the gown, I'd hand it over in a heartbeat. You're representing Vance's company? In what capacity?"Catherine faltered, her eyes darting to Sonia. "I..."Sonia slid her arm free and gave Rebecca a small smile. "It's fine. That gown looks beautiful on you and suits your skin tone. I already have my custom gown ordered.""Sonia?" Catherine gaped, surprised that Sonia didn't take her side. Before they came, Aiden had told Sonia to look out for her.Sonia turned to another salesperson. "Help me match shoes to my custom."She then walked away toward the footwear display. Catherine stood alone, facing Rebecca, the assistant, and the red gown."I know you're jealous of the bond Vance, Aiden, and I have," she said righteously. "But don't twist my intentions into something ugly. I'm attending the banquet as an assistant. The company didn't become what it is by accident. You've be

For once, Rebecca and Sonia exchanged genuine compliments.When Sonia finally gathered her gown to leave, she paused at the door. "Sorry, I didn't know you were here. Aiden asked me to bring her, so I did."Rebecca shook her head. "No worries. It was not your fault."A hint of melancholy flickered in Sonia's eyes, but in the end, she smoothed it away with a smile. "Are you going to the banquet tomorrow night?""Yes." Rebecca nodded.She would not be attending as Vance's wife but as Gabriel's cousin."See you then." Sonia's smile still carried a trace of sadness as she left.Rebecca understood that look. Sonia couldn't be truly happy with Aiden. They were not the same kind of people at all.Back then, she'd been young, striking, and brilliant. As VP of the company, Aiden had chased her hard, and she had fallen for it. A big mistake!Rebecca had never really wanted to clash with Catherine, but the latter wouldn't stop provoking her. Today counted as her victory, but it was not s

Hugo warmly ushered Gabriel and Rebecca inside.Since it was still early, he settled them in a private lounge with tea and light refreshments. Gradually, the hum of arriving guests grew louder outside. It was time to step outside."Ready?" Gabriel offered his arm."Yes." Rebecca took it, bracing for nerves.In the past five years, she'd never attended an event like this, so she basically didn't know anyone from the Soliaridge elite world or Vance's business circle.But once she stepped into the ballroom, her anxiety evaporated. There were no familiar faces, which meant no one recognized her or could figure out who Gabriel truly was.She looked breathtaking, and Gabriel looked quietly commanding. But they were both young, registering only as unimportant juniors to the seasoned power players present.Eyes slid over them in a second before hunting for more useful conversations. Networking was the real currency here.Gabriel looked refined and gentle in a pair of gold-rimmed glasse