Chapter 113

The wheels touched down smoothly at our destination, and everything had been meticulously arranged in advance.

On Vanessa's side, Dominic had taken care of every detail, including pre-booking their hotel. Though Vanessa stood by the car door, her attention was elsewhere—she was determined to catch a glimpse of Evelyn's ride.

Even if Celestia Group backed Phoenix Labs, they were still just a minor subsidiary. They might not rival DR Holdings in scale, but clearly, they wanted to put on airs and travel in first-class style.

"Ms. Blake?" The driver waiting for her hesitated, wondering why she hadn’t gotten in yet.

"Just a moment," Vanessa murmured, her fingers tightening around the car door. Then, she spotted them.

Evelyn and Victoria weren’t in any rush. They strolled leisurely through the terminal, pulling their luggage behind them. And then—

A Rolls-Royce.

Vanessa’s breath hitched. There was no mistaking that sleek, luxurious silhouette. She couldn’t pinpoint the exact model, but it was undeniably expensive.

Her gaze locked onto Evelyn as the trunk opened, swallowing their suitcases effortlessly. Then, without so much as a glance in her direction, Evelyn slid into the backseat, and the car glided away.

Vanessa’s grip on the door turned white-knuckled. She couldn’t lie to herself anymore—that car had been for them.

How? How could Evelyn be the one riding in a Rolls-Royce while Vanessa was left with this outdated Mercedes?

She turned back to the car waiting for her, the one she’d been pleased with moments ago. Now, it felt like a slap in the face.

"Are you getting in, or should we leave without you?" Lucien’s dry voice drifted from inside.

Vanessa forced herself into the seat, her mood souring with every passing second.

Evelyn was her curse. Every encounter with her left Vanessa humiliated, her pride in tatters.

Lucien remained impassive, but she knew he’d noticed her reaction. There was no point hiding it now.

"Mr. Dubois," she began, her voice tight, "someone of your stature deserves the best, doesn’t he? Don’t you feel… undervalued with arrangements like this?"

A faint smirk curled his lips. "A bit shabby, I’ll admit."

The casual dismissal made her cheeks burn.

"Not that I care much about such things when traveling," he continued smoothly. "Though I did upgrade my hotel suite earlier. The standard rooms here are… lacking."

Vanessa perked up. "The presidential suite?"

He shrugged. "Only mine was upgraded. Yours remains as booked, I’m afraid. We won’t be on the same floor, Vanessa."

She fell silent, her frustration simmering.

When they arrived at The Chateau Royale, the receptionists fawned over Lucien, their enthusiasm grating on her nerves.

And just like that, her mood plummeted even further.