Divorce Time 43
When they arrived, the banquet hall was almost full of people, buzzing with the chatter of guests who had gathered for the evening’s festivities.
With her stunning looks and elegant demeanor, Charlene instantly caught the attention of many guests as she entered.
The host, who knew Stewart well, gave them a warm greeting as they walked into the hall.
Just as he was about to exchange pleasantries with Stewart and Charlene, new arrivals at the entrance caught his eye, causing a brief moment of stunned silence.
The other guests shared his reaction, turning their heads in surprise and delight at the sight of the newcomers.
With their backs to the entrance, Charlene and Stewart were unaware of the cause of the commotion. Driven by curiosity, they were about to turn around when the host excused himself with an apologetic glance and hurried toward the door. “Mr. Henderson, Mr. Harden, Mr. Albright-”
Hearing those names, a hunch formed in Charlene’s mind. She turned around, and her smile slightly faltered at the sight.
It was Thorne, Granger, and Moran, as she had suspected. But what caught her off guard was the presence of Vesta, donned in the breathtaking lavender gown she had admired in a boutique the day before, worth over thirty million!
Tall and statuesque, Vesta wore the gown with effortless elegance and allure, making her appear seductive and untouchable. “Can you believe it? Thorne, Granger, and Moran hardly attend these events! What brought them out tonight?”
“And who’s that stunning woman with them? Could she be Thorne’s lady? That ravishing and unapproachable aura is out of this world. Only a top dog could have such exquisite taste. If I could have a woman like that, I’d gladly trade years of my life!” “But I was more taken by the lady in the beige dress. Her aura is so pure, serene, and radiant. She seems rarer than the boss’s woman, but alas, she has a date.”
Then, an exclamation cut through the murmur. “My God, that dress! I saw it yesterday and got blown away! I heard it was custom-made by a big shot for his girlfriend. I wondered who it could be, and it turned out to be Thorne! Thirty million, can you believe it?” “What? Thirty million?”
After hearing that, Charlene’s gaze softened.
Seeing the dress on Vesta had led her to suspect it was a gift from Thorne. Despite their growing fortune, the Hawkins family couldn’t justify such an extravagant expense for a single event, but for Thorne, thirty million was a mere trifle.
It was clear that Thorne had put much thought into this gesture for Vesta. The dress was ordered half a month in advance, meaning he planned to bring Vesta to the banquet from the beginning.
Aware of Thorne’s usual disinterest in social gatherings, Stewart found the coincidence surprising. And then, Thorne had brought Vesta
along.
Worried, Stewart glanced at Charlene. “Charlene…”
Charlene offered a reassuring smile, shaking her head gently. “I’m fine.”