While My Husband Cheated I Married His Powerful Brother novel Chapter 104

Chapter 104: Chapter 104 Jealousy in Black Tie

The charity gala was held in the Grand Ballroom of the Imperial Hotel.

Crystal chandeliers cast warm light across the marble floor. Men in tuxedos and women in gowns mingled beneath the vaulted ceiling. A string quartet played something soft and classical. Waiters circulated with trays of champagne.

Dorian Thorne stood near the edge of the room, a glass of sparkling water in his hand. His tie was slightly loosened. His face was impassive.

He hated these events. The small talk. The forced smiles. The way people angled for his attention like they were positioning for a photograph.

He had been here for an hour. He had already donated more money than most people earned in a lifetime. He had smiled at the right people and nodded at the right speeches.

He was ready to leave and his phone buzzed, he pulled it out of his jacket pocket. A message from Wesley Wynn.

Thought you might find this interesting.

He opened the attachment.

The photograph was clear. Well-lit. The composition was almost too perfect.

Veyra stood close to Xavier Lala. Their hands were clasped. Their eyes met. They looked like two people who shared something intimate.

Dorian’s fingers tightened around the phone.

His jaw clenched.

The admiration in Xavier’s eyes was unmistakable. The way he looked at her—focused, intent, like she was the only person in the room.

Dorian’s expression turned icy.

He was still staring at the photograph when a voice cut through his thoughts.

"Enjoying the view?"

Naya Whitmore appeared at his elbow. She wore a form-fitting red gown. Her hair was loose. Her smile was calculated.

She reached for his phone.

"What are you looking at?"

Dorian pulled the phone back. But she had already seen the image.

Naya’s smile faltered.

"Who is that?" she asked.

"No one."

"She’s not no one. You’re staring at her like she’s the only person in the room." Naya’s voice was sharp. "And who is that man?"

Dorian said nothing.

Naya’s eyes flickered. Jealousy. Hot and immediate.

"That’s the woman you married," she said slowly. "The one you used to get out of our arrangement."

"She’s none of your concern."

"None of my concern?" Naya laughed. "You broke off a political alliance for her. You embarrassed my father. You humiliated me. And now you’re standing here, staring at a photograph of her with another man?"

Dorian’s hand tightened around the phone.

"Give me the phone," Naya said.

"No."

Naya reached for it again. She was fast. Her fingers closed around the edge. She pulled.

Dorian let go.

The phone slid out of his hand. Naya turned it over. She looked at the photograph again.

Her face went red.

"You married a woman who’s already involved with someone else," she said. "You gave up everything for someone who doesn’t even want you."

Dorian reached over. His hand closed around the phone. He pulled it out of her grip.

"Give that back."

Naya’s voice rose. "She’s using you. Everyone can see it. She’s playing you for a fool."

"Enough."

"Your family is going to be a laughingstock. Everyone in this room is watching. The great Dorian Thorne, married to a woman who—"

Dorian turned away.

He did not look back at her.

He walked toward the exit. His strides were long. The crowd parted around him.

Behind him, Naya’s voice was still rising.

"Where are you going? You can’t just leave! The auction is about to start!"

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