She Turned Her Grief Into Wings novel Chapter 19

Shera raised an eyebrow as she watched Marcus storm off in a huff.

After enduring this for three years, she had finally let out a massive breath of frustration.

They were getting a divorce anyway. Why should she care about offending the Hayes family?

Caden wrapped his arm around her slender waist, his eyes dancing with amusement. "I didn't expect you to defend me so fiercely in front of everyone."

Shera shoved his arm away, shooting him a deadpan look. Her lips twitched. "It was just for show. Don't get too into character, Mr. Hayes."

Just for show?

Caden clicked his tongue.

As the guests mingled in the parlor, Shera seamlessly infiltrated the wives' social circle using the networking skills she had painstakingly honed. In just half an hour, she had secured five pre-orders, and one woman even wanted to commission a custom bridal gown for her daughter.

This gave Shera a brilliant idea: custom bridal toasts and traditional wedding attire were highly lucrative avenues she could explore—once her studio was running smoothly, of course.

Caden sat on a nearby sofa with his legs crossed, his eyes following Shera's every move across the room.

Now he understood exactly why she had agreed to come. She was just here to poach clients.

A maid walked in, announcing that Ms. Sutton had arrived at the front door.

Caden nodded, but before he could even get up to receive her, Helga walked through the door with a bright, beaming smile.

Spotting Dewitt immediately, she hurried over to greet him. "Mr. Hayes! It's been so long."

Dewitt offered her a seat and asked about her father's condition. Hearing that the surgery had been a success, he let out a sigh of relief.

"It's all thanks to Caden. If he hadn't arranged everything so perfectly, it wouldn't have gone this smoothly," she praised.

Dewitt lowered his gaze and shook his head. "Don't call it a favor. It was the least he could do. At the end of the day, our family owes yours a great debt."

Helga shook her head frantically. "Please don't say that, Mr. Hayes. Caden went above and beyond for us. Besides, what happened back then..."

Realizing the conversation was getting too heavy, Helga quickly pivoted, presenting Dewitt with the gift she had brought. The atmosphere instantly brightened.

Helga offered a gentle smile. "I've always heard Caden's wife was stunning. Seeing you today, you truly are breathtaking."

The parlor wasn't exactly close to the pond. Shera highly doubted this was a coincidental encounter. She cut straight to the chase. "Did you come all the way out here just to tell me that, Ms. Sutton?"

She clearly didn't track her down just to offer fashion compliments.

Caught completely off guard by the bluntness, Helga's eyelashes fluttered nervously. "I heard Mr. Hayes mention earlier that you design heritage clothing. I saw the jacket you made for him; it suits him perfectly."

Shera raised an eyebrow, accepting the praise. "Thank you, Ms. Sutton."

Helga tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, flashing a smile that revealed two very noticeable dimples. "You can just call me Helga. It's what Caden calls me."

Helga.

Yes, she knew Caden called her that. She had heard him say it countless times.

She had heard it over the phone, heard it to her face, and even overheard it from the other side of a bathroom stall.