Restoring a Life After Seven Years of Wrong Love novel Chapter 16

Though it was called an exhibition, it was essentially a high-profile networking event, and the attendees were exactly the kind of people they wanted to build connections with.

The two met up at a luxury boutique. Inside, several staff members were adjusting gowns and fine jewelry on mannequins.

A pale green dress caught Yvette's eye. It was adorned with intricate, colorful floral embellishments, making it look as though spring itself had been woven into the fabric. It was both fresh and enchanting. The mannequin also wore a pearl necklace accented with a brilliant diamond at its center.

Yvette was instantly drawn to the gown. Without thinking, she reached out to touch the fabric.

“Smack.”

Before her fingers even grazed the material, a sales assistant slapped her hand away forcefully.

"I'm sorry, but this dress is not for sale. It's a custom piece by a top international designer. It took two months just to craft and is valued at forty million," the assistant explained, her face full of apologies. "I reacted poorly in the moment, I promise I wasn't targeting you."

Yvette looked down. A stark red mark had already bloomed across the back of her pale hand.

Charlotte immediately noticed and was just about to explode when Yvette gently tugged her arm.

The assistant hadn't done it out of malice, so there was no point in making a scene.

"It's fine."

She loved the dress, sure, but she wasn't about to drop forty million on something that would just collect dust in her closet.

Trent Sterling happened to be walking by, saw the whole ordeal, and couldn't resist stepping into the store.

"Ha," Trent tipped his chin at Yvette. "Jabez ordered that dress from a foreign designer for Willow months ago. You're just a lowly secretary who doesn't even attend banquets, and you're delusional enough to think you can have it?"

He made zero effort to hide his mockery.

Yvette's gaze turned ice-cold. She had only met Trent after marrying Jabez, and he had always harbored a massive prejudice against her. Every time he saw her, he'd throw insults her way, and today was no exception.

Charlotte glared at Trent, absolute fury in her eyes. "Even if your brain is connected to your ass, you don't have to spew crap every time you open your mouth."

Normally completely compliant, Yvette offered a cool, sarcastic smile. "'Willow'? You two must be awfully close. What's the matter? Do you have feelings for her too? Does Jabez know his best friend is drooling over his woman?"

Yvette's lips curled upward. She was officially done putting up with them!

-

The day of the exhibition arrived.

Yvette sat tucked away in a corner. She hated forced socializing and found it far more relaxing to be left alone.

Suddenly, a commotion broke out near the entrance. She turned her head and saw Jabez, Willow, Trent, and Milton Graham walking in.

Willow was wearing the pale green dress, the cut perfectly highlighting her bare, porcelain shoulders. The cinched waist accentuated her stunning figure, and the floral details gave her a youthful, charming aura.

Jabez wore a sharp, charcoal-black suit. With his chiseled features, razor-sharp jawline, and overwhelming aura of authority, he looked untouchable.

The moment they stepped inside, they commanded the attention of every single person in the room.