Chapter 653

Vera paused before the glass, taking in every contour of her face as if cataloguing the effect of the evening's preparations;confidence slowly eased into a knowing curve at the corners of her mouth.

Tonight's occasion doubled as more than a mere homecoming celebration-it had been arranged with surgical precision to function as an elite financial networking soirée.

Her plan was sharp and unapologetic: to plant herself squarely in Vincent's thoughts as the ideal companion for his career trajectory. Tonight, she intended to cement, in plain sight, the superiority of her claim to the future title of Mrs. Jones.

Meanwhile, in the CEO's office at the Luminara Group,Hannah concluded a transcontinental video briefing and let the last virtual faces fade from her screen.

Meagan entered with a soft knock and the practiced poise of someone used to smoothing logistical edges. "Ms. Scott," she reported,"there's a private financial networking gathering tonight at 7 p.m. in the Westview Restaurant's top-floor banquet hall. Several senior figures and potential collaborators will show up. Would you like to attend?"

Hannah barely hesitated; she snapped the folder shut and nodded.Yesterday's clash with Vincent still nagged at the edges of her concentration, and she resolved to pour herself into work as a kind of remedy.

Meagan gave a slight nod. "Noted. This arrived from Mr. Kane Sampson, founder of KeenCrest Capital." She set the invitation card on Hannah's desk.

"I've prepared four gowns. Which one would you prefer?"

"I've prepared four gowns. Which one would you prefer?"Meagan said.

At Meagan's signal, attendants carried in four evening gowns,each cut in a distinct silhouette.

Hannah's eyes travelled across the selections before resting on a mist-blue gown. "That one." She glanced at her watch and added, "It's getting late. Have it packaged. I'll change at the hotel."

Meagan acknowledged the instruction and immediately set about arranging the garments.

Hannah bowed her head once more and skimmed the final pages that awaited her signature. Now and then, her gaze wandered involuntarily to her phone, where the last message from Vincent had stalled on a solitary question mark with no reply.

She forced her attention back to work, scrawled her name at the bottom of the documents, then gathered her clutch and car keys and departed the office.

The Westview Restaurant sat a considerable distance from the Luminara Group, and with the evening's congestion, Hannah arrived to find the networking event already in full swing.

She hurried toward the banquet hall entrance, only to be halted by an unexpected figure-Danica.

Having circulated among the attendees with a bright smile moments before, Danica's countenance had hardened the instant she spied Hannah. Excusing herself from her conversation, she had nearly rushed across the foyer.

Positioning herself in Hannah's path, Danica demanded with open hostility, "What are you doing here? You weren't invited -leave at once."

Hannah's face registered surprise at the sight of Danica. This was supposed to be a financial networking affair; why was Danica doing here?

Suppressing her astonishment, Hannah maintained poise and replied evenly, "Why would I be unwelcome? Do you own the place?"

Danica lifted her chin with insolent assurance. "Exactly.Westview Restaurant belongs to the Jones Group. Without an invitation, no one gains entry."

Convinced Hannah could not possibly possess an invite,Danica's voice sharpened. "Why aren't you leaving yet? Stop making a spectacle of yourself."

Unshaken, Hannah produced the invitation from her purse and handed it to the bewildered security guard. "Actually, I have been invited. Please verify it."

Danica's eyes widened in disbelief as she snatched the invitation from the guard and inspected it thoroughly.When she ascertained its validity, her expression soured.

As they verified the invitation, Hannah slipped past Danica and stepped inside the banquet hall.

Hannah took in the lavishly decorated room-a departure from the austere financial salons she typically attended. Without delay, she followed the directional signs toward the lounge to change into her gown.

Danica hustled over to Vera, who was engaged in light conversation and laughter with several guests, and pulled her aside to whisper urgently, "Vera, a problem-that Hannah somehow got in."

Vera's smile faltered; disbelief flickered across her face.′′HOW is that possible? I never sent her an invitation. How did she obtain one?"

Her meticulously planned evening could not tolerate an uninvited woman stealing her spotlight.

Danica frowned. "I don't know how she got the invitation,but I checked-it's genuine." Then, as if struck by a new tactic,she added with thin relish, "She arrived in a business suit, not an evening gown. We can use that to humiliate her publicly.Better yet, have her removed."