Shattered Vows: Call Me Auntie Now novel Chapter 58

Only after Raymond walked away and the Cullinan smoothly departed did Quinn emerge from behind the oak tree, her face a mask of total shock.

In just a few short minutes, her brain felt like it had been put through a blender.

Why did a prime male specimen like Raymond have to prefer men?

What an absolute waste of God-given genetics!

The mere image of two men fiercely tangled together in bed sent violent shivers racing down her spine.

Caleb, who perpetually oscillated between wanting to quit and dragging himself through the day.

If he had known he'd just been misidentified as his boss's gay lover, he likely would have lost his mind right then and there.

Twenty minutes later, Quinn returned to Lunas Crest.

Pushing the door open, she immediately bumped into Raymond by the entryway. His towering frame cast an imposing shadow over her.

She jumped in fright.

"You scared the hell out of me!"

Raymond stared down at her. "Going out this late?"

Quinn hoisted the plastic bag in her hand. "Just running out to buy shampoo."

His gaze turned deeply somber. "Next time, you can ask me to run errands."

Quinn nodded, but recalling the spicy scene between him and his 'Cullinan' boy toy made her eyes dart around awkwardly.

"I... I'm heading upstairs."

She bolted up the stairs like she was fleeing a crime scene.

Raymond frowned at her retreating back. Why did the look she just gave him feel so bizarrely judgmental?

****

The moment Vivienne returned home, her brother, Leon Ambrose, stopped her in her tracks.

Leon zeroed in on her swollen, bright red cheek and demanded coldly, "What happened to your face? Who hit you?"

As the sole daughter of the Ambrose family, Vivienne had been spoiled her entire life. Leon adored her and would never tolerate anyone disrespecting her.

Before he asked, she had managed to hold it together, but his concern instantly brought a lump to her throat as tears pooled in her eyes.

She clutched her throbbing cheek, gritting her teeth with bitter resentment.

"It was Tara Moore."

The dangerous, aggressive aura Leon had been radiating vanished in a fraction of a second, leaving a dead silence in its wake.

Tara's name acted like a bucket of ice water, completely extinguishing his fierce, protective fury.

Vivienne's eyes darted away, instinctively avoiding his gaze as she mumbled, "I just wanted to talk to her about competing for Ms. Quincy's apprenticeship... How was I supposed to know Tara would show up and attack me?"

Leon saw right through her.

It took zero effort to deduce that Vivienne had intentionally cornered Quinn to demean her, only to cross paths with the fiercely protective Tara. She had brought this entirely on herself.

He sighed deeply, his tone turning severe. "Vivienne, if you truly want a future with Dante, you need to behave. If he finds out you're running around acting like this, he won't forgive you."

Vivienne froze for a moment, a calculated glint flashing in her eyes.

"Leon, you have connections with the organizers for The Lumina Couture Awards, right?"

****

The following day, the Riverton Arts Centre was absolutely buzzing with activity.

The official registration hub for The Lumina Couture Awards was set up directly in the center of the grand lobby.

The space was packed with rising stars in the fashion industry and top-tier design students from elite academies.

Everyone clutched their meticulously compiled portfolios, their faces etched with nervous anticipation.

The turnout was massive, with the submission line winding deeply into the adjacent corridors.

Quinn followed the crowd into the venue, surveyed the daunting line ahead, and turned to Tara and Raymond.