Her eyes were brimming with absolute sincerity.
Zella recognized the girl instantly. She vividly remembered Sierra as the only person brazen enough to ask if they were officially dating at the previous party.
"Not asking about our relationship status this time?" Zella's tone was cool and steeped in arrogance.
Sierra offered an apologetic smile. "I didn't know before, but I just heard the wonderful news. I had to come and offer my congratulations. Please forgive my earlier intrusion, Ms. Davenport."
Her words sounded remarkably genuine.
Zella narrowed her eyes, studying the young woman's face. She had a doll-like face, bright, expressive eyes, and deep dimples when she smiled.
It suddenly hit Zella—didn't Raelynn have dimples too? No, Raelynn had delicate pear-shaped dimples.
"Mr. Croix, a toast to you both." Sierra raised her glass toward Sebastian.
Sebastian lowered his gaze, glancing briefly at Sierra's bright smile.
His eyes lingered on her dimples for exactly two seconds.
Just two seconds.
But Zella caught it.
A flash of calculation crossed her eyes.
"There is no need for a toast," Sebastian said, his tone utterly dismissive as he rejected the gesture.
Sierra froze, clearly caught off guard.
She gripped the stem of her wine glass, looking timid. "Oh... I'm sorry. I just wanted to wish you well."
Flustered, she quickly turned to look for a waiter so she could put her glass away.
She played the part perfectly—an innocent, thin-skinned girl overcome with embarrassment after being publicly rebuffed. But as she spun around, she "accidentally" collided with a passing waiter.
The glass jerked.
In a split second, the dark red wine splashed directly onto Sebastian's arm.
It soaked right through his black suit jacket, rapidly staining the crisp white fabric of his dress shirt a deep crimson.
Zella's brow furrowed instantly, her voice dripping with reprimand. "Why are you so incredibly clumsy? How is he supposed to announce the engagement looking like a mess?"
Sierra looked absolutely horrified, her eyes immediately welling up with tears. "I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to!"
Sebastian, however, didn't look angry.
He merely cast a detached glance at Sierra.
But Zella was furious.
Sierra felt the sting of Zella's blatant, aristocratic disdain.
She took a deep breath, staring down at her tightly clasped hands.
Then, she looked up, her gaze tracking the direction Sebastian had gone.
A calculated look flashed through her wide, innocent eyes before she smoothed her expression back to normal.
Without a second thought, she followed Sebastian's path.
Red wine stained quickly.
The hotel staff had rapidly prepared a private changing room for him.
Quinn had already brought in a fresh suit.
Sebastian pushed the door open and stepped inside.
He didn't lock it.
Shrugging off his ruined jacket, he began unfastening his cufflinks and the buttons of his stained shirt.
Until...
The door opened behind him, a faint click followed by the soft, deliberate tap of high heels stepping inside.

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!...