The Billionaire Ex-Wife's Return (Cynthia and Ethan) novel Chapter 26

Cynthia’s POV

The car ride to the gala was supposed to be relaxing… soft jazz playing in the background, city lights slipping past like lazy fireflies, the kind of atmosphere where silence feels comfortable and elegant.

But Kevin’s sulking had other plans.

He sat beside me with his arms crossed, jaw tight, and an expression that could curdle milk. His reflection in the tinted window looked like a man contemplating a national tragedy, not a global F1 champion who had every reason to be smug. His foot tapped impatiently against the car mat, and every few seconds he’d sigh loudly like a teenager who’d just been grounded.

I turned to him, biting back a smile. “Are you going to pout all evening?”

“I’m not pouting,” he snapped without looking at me, his eyes still fixed on the dark city skyline outside.

“Oh really?” I leaned slightly toward him, examining his face with exaggerated seriousness. “Because your lips have been sticking out for the past ten minutes, and your eyebrows are basically staging a protest.”

He finally turned, giving me the full, dramatic glare of a betrayed movie star. “Can you blame me, Cici? I’ve never seen a woman ignore me before. Ever. Not once.” He gestured wildly, as if the universe itself owed him an explanation. “And then suddenly… Matilda, your dear, sweet, supposedly friendly friend acts like I don’t exist just because some twenty–year–old kid smiles her way!”

I pressed a hand to my mouth, trying not to burst out laughing, but it was impossible not to grin at the sheer outrage in his tone. “Oh, Kevin…” I managed between chuckles. “I didn’t know rejection could hurt this much. Should I call a medic?”

He groaned dramatically, leaning his head back against the seat. “Rejection? Please. Don’t insult me. I’m not hurt… I’m… surprised. Confused. Deeply disturbed, maybe..”

I tilted my head, pretending to consider it. “Disturbed seems about right.”

He shot me a look. “You think this is funny?”

“Absolutely,”

He turned back to the window, muttering something under his breath about women being impossible to understand, his reflection now looking both tragic and faintly adorable. The jazz music filled the silence between us again, smooth and teasing, while the city lights painted shifting shadows across his face.

It was such a ridiculous contrast, the world–famous racer who could charm supermodels and sponsors alike, now sulking because one woman had dared to ignore his existence.

“You know,” I said softly, unable to resist teasing him further, “maybe she just preters younger men Or maybe “let my voice trail off, mischievous, “maybe Nikolai was just… more interesting”

Kevin whipped his head around so fast I thought he’d pull a muscle. “More Interesting? More interesting? The guy barely spoke three words! He looks like he’s still trying to figure out how to shave, for crying out loud!”

1 bit my lip to keep from laughing again “He’s very polite though And that sulle ”

Kevin threw his hands in the air. “Unbelievable! You too?!”

That was it, I laughed outright, the sound echoing through the car until even the driver’s shoulder shook with aminement, He leaned back in the seat, throwing one arm dramatically over his eyes. “He’s the least charming person ive seen in years, he declared, his voice dripping with disbelief. “Completely overrated. Average looks. Zato charlarna Probably doesn’t even

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know how to drive a stick shift.”

I tilted my head toward him. “Yeah…” I said with an exaggerated nod, struggling to hide my grin.

Because honestly? Nikolai was the most charming man I’d seen in years calm, confident, devastatingly composed. Kevin, with all his fame and energy, burned like fire; Nikolai, on the other hand, glowed like steady moonlight. And clearly, Matilda preferred moonlight.

“Right?” Kevin continued, waving his hands. “I mean, I’m hotter, richer, famous! Kids have posters of me on their walls, for crying out loud! So why was she…” He stopped mid–rant, inhaling sharply. “Why was she all over him?”

I burst out laughing then, unable to stop myself. “Kevin, you’re ridiculous.”

He shot me a glare. “I’m not ridiculous. I’m just… baffled. Deeply and personally offended.”

“Oh, you poor thing,” I teased. “You mean a woman finally didn’t melt when you smiled at her?”

“Exactly!” he said, completely serious. “It’s disturbing. Maybe she’s blind..or immune. Do they have vaccines for charm now?”

I shook my head, still chuckling. “Kevin, you liked her.”

He looked scandalized. “Liked her? No! Please. Don’t insult me like that. Matilda clearly found me uninteresting should I be interested in her?”

“Because you’ve been talking about her for the last thirty minutes.”

He paused, blinked, then scowled. “That’s irrelevant.”

–

so why

I leaned back, smirking. “Sure it is. It’s not every day I get to see Kevin Laurent, the heartthrob of Europe, dethroned by a twenty -five year–old with good cheekbones.”

He groaned again, dragging a hand down his face. “Remind me why I agreed to come to this gala with you.”

“Because you love me,” I said cheerfully.

He let out a smirk and tapped my nose like he always does.

The gala’s decoration was breathtaking with crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling like suspended constellations, and a quartet played soft violin near the grand staircase.

Kevin, ever the showman, immediately slipped his hand through mine as the cameras flashed at the entrance.

“My lovely date for the evening,” he whispered, his voice laced with mischief.

I raised a brow in disbelief and burst out giggling.

We stepped into the golden light of the ballroom, greeted by waiters carrying trays of champagne and clusters of elegantly dressed guests murmuring over mergers, investments, and imported caviar took a glass, trying to focus on the elegant on the glittering lights reflecting off the floor, anything to stay in the calm I’d built after the chaos of Marcus Chen

Just then, the host of the gala, Gaby Vincent, the owner of one of the leading wine brands in the industry appear he warm smile and open arms.

“Kevin Laurent,” he said warmly, extending a hand “Didn’t expect to see you tonight”

Kevin returned the handshake firmly. “Nathaniel couldn’t make it, so I’m representing the Lausent un lus behalf, explained casually. “And this,” he said, turning slightly toward me, pausing for a bead as if choosing his was my friend. Cynthia Cynclair.”

Gaby turned his attention to me with a kind smile, “Ali, en lovely to meet you, Cynthia “He reached out and shock harda

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You look very stunning. You are highly welcome. For a second, I almost thought Kevin brought you here to steal my spotlight.”

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