Lost Me, Gained Regret (Jane and Bryant Ferguson) novel Chapter 239

His ride was as wild as his personality, a gleaming Pagani sports car that turned heads wherever it went.

As we pulled up to the hotel, the doorman's eyes lit up, as Christine did earlier that day when she saw the unexpected bonus in my bank account.

Ever the gentleman with a sharp tongue, Gregory tossed the car keys to the doorman and came around to open my door, quipping, "Easy does it. You can take a tumble, but that dress costs a pretty penny."

When I laid eyes on that dress at home, I recognized it as a high-end designer piece, the kind celebrities would sell their souls to borrow for an event.

Despite his snarky comment, Gregory wasn't wrong. Our company was in the midst of financial planning. Money was tight, and I couldn't afford to pay back a dress like that.

I gingerly lifted the hem, careful not to step on it with my heels. "Got it, loud and clear."

He seemed stunned. "Why so meek all of a sudden?"

"Just stark broke," I shrugged.

He asked, "Mr. Ferguson doesn’t cover your expenses?"

"He does." I pursed my lips, "He's always been generous with money but not with his emotions."

And now that I was officially the ex-wife, his generosity was none of my business.

Gregory raised an eyebrow but said no more, leading me inside.

Suddenly, something clicked. "Hey, weren’t you solo at the Larson Mansion the other day? What’s with needing a date today?"

"It's different," he replied casually, "No one at the Larson family was pressuring me to settle down."

The birthday girl today was close with the Ford family and high society through and through.

They were momentarily stunned, their surprise quickly shifting to playful grins. "Hey there, Gregory’s girlfriend, right? Nice to meet you."

I was momentarily stunned, glancing at Gregory for an explanation. I had only agreed to attend the party, not to play his girlfriend.

Gregory shot them a look. "Just play along before the Myers family. Privately, you can call her Jane."

I wondered since when I had agreed to be his shield.

Before I could protest, Bryant and Dorothy entered, accompanied by a couple I didn’t recognize. The man was noble, the woman exuding elegance, her ageless grace undeniable. Something about her felt eerily familiar, her tender gaze on Dorothy reminding me painfully of my mother. It was that look in her eyes.

I felt a lump in my throat, my attention drifting as they approached us.

Bryant’s icy stare felt like it could freeze us in place, while Dorothy, all smiles moments ago, dropped her facade upon seeing me. "Jane, what are you doing here? I don’t recall sending you an invite!"