She stared at the invitation.
She wasn't sure if Sebastian knew his grandmother was arranging a blind date for her.
But a man like Sebastian wouldn't care either way.
So she had no intention of looping him in.
The event was a formal evening gala.
Raelynn picked out a classic, elegant evening gown that left no room for error and headed straight to the venue.
The luxury jewelry gala was incredibly lavish.
While not uncommon in high society.
Drawing in countless socialites and tycoons to boost the night's staggering sales numbers.
It was Raelynn's first time attending something like this.
Marrying Sebastian had technically elevated her into this elite stratosphere, but because they kept their marriage a secret, he had never brought her to these types of events.
Raelynn didn't rush to call Theon right away.
As she stepped into the main hall.
She spotted a sea of A-list celebrities acting as glamorous "sales representatives" for the jewelry on display.
The room was packed with media, wealthy socialites, and heiresses.
Raelynn didn't consider herself a lavish spender. Even though she had built up quite a nest egg, she rarely splurged.
However, Chloe Hudson's birthday was coming up.
She figured she might find a nice gift tonight, since Chloe obsessed over anything sparkling and beautiful.
Strolling through the venue.
Raelynn watched wealthy elites rubbing shoulders and taking photos with famous actors.
She wasn't one to get starstruck, so she paid them little mind.
After a brief lap around the room, she pulled out her phone to call Theon.
Before she could dial.
A voice called out from behind her. "Raelynn?"
She turned to see Julian, looking sharp in a tailored suit. He stared at her in utter shock, his expression twisting into a complicated blend of softening guilt and awkward hesitation.
"Julian," Raelynn greeted him with a brief nod.
Seraphina, dressed in a stunning white gown, glided forward and wrapped her arm seamlessly through Sebastian's in front of everyone.
The actress instantly read between the lines, her eyes darting nervously to Sebastian.
Sebastian didn't pull away from Seraphina's intimate gesture, offering a polite but icy rejection. "My apologies."
He completely shut down the actress's advances.
In an instant, every woman in the room shot Seraphina looks of burning envy.
Seraphina's smile turned impossibly sweet.
Watching the display, Raelynn understood perfectly. Sebastian was ruthlessly rejecting all temptation to assert strict boundaries, giving Seraphina unwavering security.
Raelynn genuinely hadn't expected to bump into him here.
Especially on the night of her blind date.
It made the entire situation feel bizarrely surreal...
She had zero desire to cross paths with Sebastian.
She was just about to excuse herself from Julian when a man broke through the crowd.
His eyes lit up the moment he saw her, and he walked straight over. "Ms. Ortiz? I'm Theon Tanner."

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Boss, Your Wife Signed the Divorce Agreement Before the Wedding
I think for as slow as the beginning was, their turning point is just so fast... really hope we actually get to read about R and S and their rekindle.... we did not read 950 pages for their story to be sidelined. Im for this sideline story, but it if it's to separate from the main characters and their story, please make it separate book....
Author please update more chapters...
I really like Zella, she is becoming a good friend to Raelynn. Ian needs to go. The relationship with Chloe is confusing. Some chapters they are cousins, sometimes they're sibling. A little confusing....
Julians role as big brother- I feel comes from a genuine place, but in a relationship thats is just as stained as Raelynns and Sebastians. It hard for me to connect to his big brother role as he too was such a problem before. And while they talked a little bit, the conversation did not give me the believe there was resolution between Raelynn and Julian. For a brute, he should make his feelings clear about the situation to Raelynn and then step back, until there is more foundation for him to stand on....
Knife in my heart. I hurt for Raelynn. She has made it this far, but how much does she have in her, everyone has a breaking point. Some back of me hopes the author is joking to lighten the mood after so many intense chapters, but thats not this kind of story or couple....
My heart cannot take this. This, cannot be how it ends with these too. They need resolution with each other. Raelynn needs to be more humanize with Sebastian. We know she is hurt, but this is the branch. She needs all these answers, if not for them to be together, then for Lily to have both her parents. Stop with the mind games Raelynn!...
Its like the story is just repeating itself...
Timeline is getting lost for me. So many treasured little memories Raelynn has but yet, he was gone for years ? Anyways... still rooting for them! These two need a heart to heart. Lily "forgetting" someone, not possible in this day and age and I hope thats not their storyline....
Sebastian, the man of few words.... needs to find all the words! Needs to fight for her! On note, seven years seems like a long time for this master plan (which I am sure goes back much farther). Rereading this novel, and it seems like everything has played out in a 5-8 month time span. And I feel like all Sebastian's doings/ plan have not been revealed. I hope we get to see the whole picture and have the resolutions we hope. But seven years of mistreatment, I just don't see Raelynn fully coming back. If these was 2-3 years, maybe, and I know it changes some characters around, but it would still work. Rooting for them!...
Literally on edge!...