27 Banquet mour and New Beginnings


    27 Banquet mour and New Beginnings


    The fever broke during the night. By morning, Chloe was feeling well enough to sit up in bed and eat a light breakfast.


    “Much better,” she said, finishing her toast. “Whatever was in those pills really worked.”


    ra nodded, relief washing over her. She hadn’t mentioned the incident from the previous night, and she had no intention of doing so. Some experiences were better left unshared.


    “So,” Chloe said, setting her te aside. “The banquet is tomorrow night, right? Please tell me we’re going shopping today.”


    “We are,” ra confirmed. “I need something appropriate to wear.”


    “You mean something drop-dead gorgeous that will make everyone’s jaws hit the floor,” Chloe corrected with a grin. “It’s your first major public appearance since the separation. We need to make a statement.”


    ra smiled but felt a flutter of nerves. She wasn’t used to being in the spotlight. During her marriage to Damien, she had rarely attended high-profile events. Victoria Sterling had made sure of that, iming racked the necessary social graces. And Eleanor Thorne, while fond of ra, had never been interested in society gatherings herself.


    “I’m thinking something elegant but unexpected,” Chloe continued, already scrolling through her phone. “Not ck-too predictable. Not red-too obvious.” She nced up. “Trust me on this. I know exactly where we should go.”


    Three hourster, they walked into Enchantment, one of the most exclusive boutiques in the city. The shop was minimalist in design, with only a few carefully selected pieces disyed on mannequins.


    A saleswoman approached them immediately, her practiced smile faltering slightly as she assessed their appearance. ra was dressed simply in dark jeans and a cashmere sweater-elegant but not ostentatious.


    “May I help you?” the woman asked, her tone just shy of dismissive.


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    27 Banquet mour and New Beginnings


    Chloe stepped forward. “My friend needs a gown for tomorrow night’s Tech Innovators banquet. Something spectacr.”


    At the mention of the prestigious event, the saleswoman’s demeanor changed. “Of course. Right this way, please.”


    They were led to a private viewing room with plush seating. Within minutes, a selection of evening gowns was brought in. ra tried on several-a sleek ck column dress, an emerald green silk thatplemented her eyes, a midnight blue gown with a dramatic train.


    None felt quite right.


    As she emerged from the fitting room in a ruby red dress that Chloe had insisted on, ra caught sight of a mannequin being wheeled past. On it was a light purple chiffon gown that seemed to capture the light, shifting betweenvender and silver depending on how it moved.


    “That one,” ra said, pointing. “Could I try that one?”


    The shop manager, who had joined them sometime during the process, shook her head regretfully. “I’m so sorry, but that piece is not avable. It’s a custom design for another client.”


    “Oh,” ra said, trying to hide her disappointment. “It’s beautiful.”


    “It certainly is,” the manager agreed. “But perhaps this ivory silk would suit you? It’s one of our most exclusive pieces.”


    The ivory gown was undeniably elegant-a simple, flowing design with delicate beadwork at the shoulders and waist. When ra tried it on, even Chloe gasped.


    “That’s the one,” her friend dered. “You look absolutely stunning.”


    ra turned to examine herself in the three-way mirror. The dress fit perfectly, highlighting her slender figure without being too revealing. There was a timeless quality to it, a quiet confidence that resonated with her.


    “Yes,” she agreed. “This is it.”


    As theypleted the purchase, ra overheard a conversation between two staff


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    27 Banquet mour and New Beginnings


    members near the stockroom.


    “The purple chiffon and the diamond ne go out for delivery tonight,” one was saying. “The entire ensemble is valued at over thirty million.”


    “Thirty million?” the other whispered. “Who on earth-”


    “Shh! You know we’re not supposed to discuss client details.”


    ra felt a momentary pang-not of jealousy, but a strange wistfulness. Once, such extravagance had been within her reach, though she’d never exploited it. Now, her life was different. More modest, but also more authentic.


    “Earth to ra,” Chloe teased, waving a hand in front of her face. “Ready to go?”


    That evening, Chloe insisted on helping ra get ready. She arranged ra’s hair in an elegant updo, with a few loose strands framing her face.


    “Nothing too severe,” she exined. “We want you to look approachable but sophisticated.”


    “I feel like I’m preparing for battle,” ra admitted as Chloe applied a lightyer of makeup.


    “In a way, you are,” her friend replied. “The business world is a battlefield. But you’ve got the advantage-most of them don’t know how brilliant you really are.”


    When Julian arrived to pick her up, his eyes widened appreciatively.


    “You look incredible,” he said, his admiration evident. “The ivory was an excellent choice.”


    “Thank you,” ra replied, feeling a blush warm her cheeks. She wasn’t used to such open admiration.


    As they settled into the back seat of the car, Julian handed her a small tablet. “I thought you might want to review these profiles before we arrive. Key people who’ll be at the banquet tonight.”


    ra scrolled through the information, grateful for the distraction from her nerves. “This is helpful, thank you.”


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    27 Banquet mour and New Beginnings


    “By the way,” Julian said casually, “I’ve got good news. Everything’s set for your official return to thepany tomorrow.”


    ra looked up from the tablet, her eyes bright with anticipation. “Really?”


    “Really,” he confirmed with a smile. “Your office is ready, and the team is excited to work with you.”


    “I can hardly believe it’s happening,” she admitted. “After all this time…”


    “It’s where you belong, ra. Your talent was wasted all these years.”


    She nodded, a mix of emotions washing over her-excitement, nervousness, and a deep sense ofing home to herself.


    “Oh, and one more thing,” Julian added. “Remember I mentioned that algorithm genius I’ve been trying to recruit? Vivienne Dubois?”


    “Yes, I remember.”


    “She’s starting tomorrow too. I’d like to introduce you both. I think you’ll work well together.”


    ra’s fingers tightened slightly on the tablet. “Vivienne Dubois is joining thepany?”


    “Yes. Brilliant mind, especially in advanced algorithmic patterns. I’ve been after her for months.” Julian nced at her. “Is there a problem?”


    raposed her expression, willing her heartbeat to slow. “No, no problem at all. I look forward to meeting her.”


    As the car continued toward the banquet venue, ra gazed out at the passing city lights. Tomorrow would mark not just her return to the professional world she’d abandoned years ago, but also an unexpected collision with her present


    circumstances.


    Vivienne Dubois. 2


    The irony wasn’t lost on her. After years of avoiding Damien’s mistress in her personal life, she would now be working alongside her. The universe, it seemed, had quite a


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