He Lost Me to His Best Friend novel Chapter 233

The signing ceremony between Croft Design Studio and the three top-tier development firms was held aboard a luxury yacht docked at the Riverbank Promenade.

The water sparkled under the morning sun, reflecting the dazzling metropolitan skyline on both sides of the river.

At 9:30 AM, before the ceremony had even officially started, countless industry elites and media personnel were already gathered, speaking in hushed, excited tones.

"Croft Design Studio has always kept a low profile, but their efficiency and design quality are unmatched. They represent the absolute pinnacle of the industry right now. Especially that designer, S.L—her blueprints are out of this world. These three companies signed the deal purely because of her work. I wonder if the rest of us will get a chance to collaborate next."

"Right? And no one even knows if S.L is a man or a woman. Word is they're making their official debut today. I can't wait!"

"I've seen her designs. The concepts are so clever and innovative. It'll be an absolute honor just to meet her today!"

"Look! What a stunning pair! I wonder which one of them is S.L. My gut tells me it's the woman with the short hair!"

A sudden cheer rippled through the crowd. Yardley, standing tall on the outskirts in a sharp dark grey suit, felt his brow twitch. He immediately followed their gaze.

There they were—Scarlett and Julian, walking onto the stage side by side, laughing and chatting, folders in hand.

Scarlett took the center stage, wearing a flawlessly tailored white business suit. The crisp fabric accentuated her perfect posture, while a slim belt highlighted her slender waist. She looked radiant, her luminous skin glowing under the lights. Her bright, starry eyes, high nose bridge, and sharp jawline gave her an aura of fierce, untamed elegance.

Beside her, Julian wore a bespoke black suit. The soft, elegant drape of the fabric complimented his tall, athletic frame. His eyes were warm, his features refined, and a subtle, gentle smile lingered on his lips.

Standing together—one in white, one in black; one striking and fierce, the other calm and gentle—they looked incredibly, strangely harmonious.

Scarlett's sharp edges seemed perfectly softened by Julian's warmth, while Julian's quiet composure was illuminated by Scarlett's vibrant energy. It looked as if they were always meant to stand side by side.

Yet, she was a complete stranger to the timid, overworked woman who used to quietly trail behind him in the office.

Now, she was a partner at Croft Design Studio. She was S.L, the legendary designer the whole industry had been buzzing about. She was a powerhouse who could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Julian Croft and not be overshadowed for a single second.

An obsessive, dangerous thought uncontrollably flared up in Yardley's mind.

He wanted to rush the stage, snatch her away, and hide her from the world.

She was shining too brightly now, making him feel completely off-balance. His sense of security had vanished, replaced by an unspeakable dread and regret.

Meridian Holdings, Wallace Properties, and Bancroft Developments treated this partnership with the utmost respect. The CEOs of all three companies had attended in person to sign the paperwork, and they were practically lining up to take photos with Scarlett.