Five Years of Marriage to Mr. Bradford (by Koi Fish) novel Chapter 329

Chapter 329

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Derek was known for being aloof, cold-faced, and allergic to small talk. Yet in front of Gabriel, he was loud, dramatic, and playful.

The contrast was astounding.

He and Gabriel had stayed in the lounge the entire time, so Catherine hadn’t seen him. Even if she had, she wouldn’t have recognized him as the same man who had locked her in the basement.

Rossi Enterprises’ debut banquet would happen on the following evening.

That afternoon, the matching ruby necklace arrived, along with the styling and makeup team. They worked on Rebecca for hours, and Gabriel just waited.

She was surprised. The banquet was important, and he was supposed to be at the venue overseeing the

final details.

“Hugo has it covered,” he explained. “I’d just be underfoot.”

That sounded suspiciously modest.

“Seriously.” He sensed her doubt and straightened his face. “If I’m there, everyone freezes up. Slows down the whole operation.”

“They are that tense in front of you?” She couldn’t picture it.

To her, he was always gentle and attentive-nothing like the ruthless figure people whispered about.

He was perplexed. “I don’t know. Do I look intimidating?”

She laughed despite herself. He brushed it off. “Enough about me. Your hair isn’t done, and your gown isn’t on. Go get ready.”

In the dressing room, she slipped into the burgundy gown, sat back at the vanity, and lifted the ruby

necklace from its box.

It was dazzling. The vintage, deliberately patinated gold chain gathered all the brilliance into something regal, serious, and understated.

A massive central ruby dominated, surrounded by graduated smaller stones like courtiers framing a queen. It looked opulent, exquisite, and expensive.

She couldn’t even guess how much it cost. When she finally stepped out, Gabriel was stunned.

On the one hand, she looked breathtaking. On the other hand, she walked steadily without the slightest limp.

“I’m ready. Let’s go,” she said briskly.

In fact, she had quietly commissioned custom shoes from Derek. One was flat, and the other had a slight

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lift, perfectly compensating for her inconvenience.

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At 5’7″ and with a dancer’s elongated posture, she never looked short without heels anyway. These shoes corrected the difference.

Meeting his astonishment, she lifted the hem just enough to reveal the mismatched soles. If she had to attend the banquet, she’d at least look like a normal person.

But he didn’t look pleased, making her question her decision.

Without a comment, he offered his arm with a soft smile. “Shall we go, my princess?”

The knot of worry in her chest unraveled, and she slipped her hand through his elbow.

Outside waited a car that wasn’t ostentatiously luxurious-just a budget sedan middle-class people could afford.

She felt perfectly fine, climbing in without even glancing at its logo.

Gabriel’s outfit was also from Derek’s studio. The classic black suit was paired with a garnet shirt, perfectly matching her gown.

Flanked by security vehicles, the car started and sped toward the hotel where the banquet was being

held.

They arrived early, and the ballroom was almost empty.

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