I Swear I Still Hate Him (Atlas Lawson) novel Chapter 132

1:43 pm

Chapter 132

Chapter 132

Emery’s POV

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I took a full glance at my reflection in the mirror and slowly turned to the side, studying every angle like I was my own competition.

Yeah.

I had to give it to myself.

“Damn. Every.” I muttered under my breath, tilting my chin slightly. “You’re good at this.”

The emerald green dress hugged my body perfectly, the slit just high enough to be scandalous without being desperate.

My reakrup was soft but sharp in the right places, bronzed cheeks, glossy lips, lashes that made my green eyes look brighter.

The real cherry on top, though? Knowing Madame Colette Vercier would absolutely combust the second she saw me. Botox be damned, I was determined to make one of her eyebrows move tonight. Even if it cracked her whole forehead.

Just the thought of her frozen, judgmental face trying to compute my hotness was enough to make my day.

“Can’t wait to see you twitch, Madame.”

I smoothed my hands down the dress, appreciating the way it draped over my hips. My confidence level skyrocketed. But then, all so suddenly, I hear it His voice. Soft. Warm. Close.

“You look good in green, Em. Matches your beautiful eyes.”

My smile faltered.

My heart didn’t just pound, it slammed against my ribs like it was trying to escape. I stared at myself, but suddenly I wasn’t seeing the dress. I was seeing a memory.

“Seriously?” I whispered, jaw tightening.

My gaze drifted, traitorously, toward my wardrobe.

But my feet moved anyway.

I walked over slowly, almost like I could still change my mind, and pulled out the small velvet box tucked behind a stack of churches. My fogers hesitated before lifting the lid.

Debate. Single Familiar

Iswallowed.

I had done this so many times. Taken it out. Stared at it. Debated. Put it back.

Tought felt differes.

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Chapter 132

“Why do I do this to myself?” I murmured, thumb brushing over the cool metal.

My reflection in the mirror behind me looked…. softer now. Less armored.

I let out a long breath, shoulders rising and falling.

“Just this night.” I told myself firmly.

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I fastened it around my neck before I could overthink it, the clasp clicking into place. The charm settled gently against my collarbone, resting right above my heartbeat.

My fingers immediately found it, twirling it the way I always did when I was nervous. Or emotional. Or stupid.

“Just this night,” I repeated.

When it came to elite parties, you left it to Noir Par Etiene.

The man might be pushing eighty, but he knew how to throw a party that made royalty look underdressed.

The ballroom glowed under crystal chandeliers, the air thick with perfume, power, and money. Old wealth. New money, Celebrities pretending not to notice each other while absolutely noticing each other. Champagne flowed like water, and conversations hummed with deals being made in whispers.

Tom leaned close to my ear. “Remember the plan.”

I gave him a look. “I know, Tommy.” I smiled, nudging him. “Now go socialize. Have a drink or two, flirt with some cute lady have fun a little.”

He narrowed his eyes. “You’re deflecting.”

Abays,” I shot back with a smirk.

Before he could argue, I turned on my heel and headed deeper into the crowd, my heels clicking softly against floor. The sound of violins swelled through the air, mingling with the soft hum of conversation and laughter.

A waitress in a sleek black uniform approached with a silver tray.

“Champagne, ma’am?”

I took one. “Thank you.”

She nodded politely and moved on.

1 took a sip. perfectly chilled, and let my eyes wander, searching for a tall man with gray hair, broad shoulders, and the kind of presence that commanded silence…Noir Par Étiene.

Of course he wasn’t here yet. A man like that didn’t attend events, he made entrances.

And speaking of entrances..

I watched as every eyes looked toward the entrance like they were all suddenly extras in someone che’s spotlight. And I already knew, there was only one person who could command that kind of reaction.

Gianna Larso

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Chapter 132

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Even before I fully turned, I felt it, the shift in the room. Conversations slowed. Laughter softened. A few men straightened their jackets like they’d just remembered they had reputations to maintain.

Her long blonde hair flowed down her back like liquid gold, that signature red lipstick popping against her glowing skin. And the dress? God, the dress. White, sculpted, elegant, it clung to her curves like it was designed by some desperate lover. She looked like a swan carved from silk, so effortlessly graceful it almost hurt to look at her.

I could see now why people called her a siren. One glance and men forgot their wives, their morals, maybe even their social security numbers. But for someone to intimidating in the fashion world, Gianna was a softic underneath all that glam

“Emmy, love,” Gianna called, her smile widening as she pulled me into her embrace.

She pulled back, holding me at arm’s length, eyes scanning me from head to toe.

“Look at you….” she said softly, then her eyes twinkled. “I see you wore green. Could it mean something special?”

Okay. So maybe I’d mentioned Atlas once.

Fine. Maybe during a wine night when I was emotional and slightly unhinged. And maybe it didn’t help that her boyfriend’s rwin happened to play on the same hockey team as Atlas.

Small world…Annoyingly small.

I scoffed, rolling my eyes, ignoring the heat creeping up my neck. I lifted my champagne glass casually, like my pulse wasn’t ding a whole backflip.

“This is nothing.” I said smoothly.

Her brow arched.

“Sure,” she hummed. “Because Rhys is here… and he might’ve whispered something about Atlas coming over.”

My eyes widened before I could control it. And like an idiot, My gaze immediately scanned the entire ballroom.

Tall Broad shoulders. Gray eyes…

Mat

What am I doing?

1 cleared my throat ignoring Cia’s annoying smile.” so what about Declan?”

Dedas, her soort, ridiculously devoted boyfriend. The only man on earth who could make Gianna Larson blush like a teenage girl with a crush

Car’s lips curved, soft and food. “Sadly, he had some important meeting and couldn’t make it. So I dragged Rhys as my human accessory?

“Kidnapped is the correct word,” a deep voice cut in

1 turned.

Khys

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