The One He Dismissed Became The One He Died For novel Chapter 91

The crowd fell silent.

The the grand doors of the banquet hall swung open, and Miles Zimmerman stepped inside.

Dressed in a sharply tailored black suit, his towering presence and sharply defined features immediately commanded the room.

Gasps and hushed whispers of admiration rippled through the guests.

"Miles Zimmerman? The Zimmerman Heir! How did the Vanderbilt family manage to invite him?"

"Mr. Zimmerman, it was an honor meeting you at Central General Hospital last time."

"He seems to have come alone tonight."

...

Miles's voice was impeccably smooth. "My grandfather hasn't been feeling well lately, so he sent me to offer his congratulations in his stead."

His words were brief, but his mere presence was the ultimate show of respect.

Otis Vanderbilt beamed with pride. "Thank you, thank you so much..."

Having a Zimmerman at their celebration elevated the modest Vanderbilt family's status in Empire City overnight.

Claire Jenner's heart sank the moment she saw him.

Running into Jefferson Sterling at an event like this wouldn't have surprised her.

But Miles? Why would he suddenly attend a corporate gala?

Her luck couldn't possibly get any worse.

Claire tried to subtly step back, but Nathan Langford's hand clamped down on her wrist like a vice, his grip painful.

"You better play your part perfectly tonight," Nathan hissed under his breath. "That's the heir to the Zimmerman empire. Our family is dying to secure a partnership with them."

"If you ruin this for me, I swear I'll make you pay."

Miles's gaze swept over the crowd and landed on her.

It was a fleeting, icy glance devoid of any emotion.

Nathan plastered on an eager smile and stepped forward, extending his hand. "Mr. Zimmerman, I'm Nathan Langford from Langford Construction Materials. It's an absolute honor to cross paths with you tonight."

Miles didn't take the offered hand, offering only a curt nod in acknowledgment.

Nathan pulled his hand back awkwardly but refused to give up.

He quickly gestured beside him. "Mr. Zimmerman, this is my... girlfriend, Claire Jenner."

Girlfriend.

The word grated against Claire's ears, sending a sharp ache through her chest.

Now, there was absolutely no way she could ever explain the truth to him.

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