Chapter 123

Vanessa prepared meticulously, but her phone remained stubbornly silent. No calls from Lucien.

Something felt wrong. The absence of his usual punctual reminder sent alarm bells ringing through her mind. Without hesitation, she marched toward Lucien's suite.

The doorbell echoed through the empty hallway. One minute. Two. Still no response.

A hotel attendant appeared, drawn by the persistent ringing. "May I assist you, miss?"

"I need to find Mr. Dubois. He's not answering." Her fingers twisted the strap of her purse. "I fear something's happened to him."

The attendant's polite smile didn't reach his eyes. "Mr. Dubois departed approximately thirty minutes ago."

"What?" The word exploded from her lips. "That's impossible! We had plans—"

Then realization struck like lightning. Her stomach dropped.

Had her rejection last night caused this? No, he'd promised not to pressure her. Unless... Was this his revenge? A cold lesson about refusing him?

Her trembling fingers dialed his number. Straight to voicemail.

The message was clear. No favors without compliance.

Vanessa's jaw clenched. With time slipping away, she hailed a taxi, her designer heels clicking angrily against the marble floor.

"That's what you're wearing?" Victoria's critical gaze swept over Evelyn's simple ensemble.

Evelyn glanced down at her modest dress. "Is there an issue?"

"An issue?" Victoria threw her hands up. "We're representing DR Holdings! You look like you're going to a library, not a gala!"

Evelyn's cheeks burned. "I didn't pack formal wear. It's just a one-day event—"

"Unacceptable." Victoria rummaged through her luggage, producing a sleek ebony gown. "Here. Wear this."

The off-shoulder design shimmered under the lights. Evelyn hesitated. "Your dress? I couldn't—"

"Just try it." Victoria thrust the fabric into her hands. "We're similar sizes."

The transformation was startling. The dress hugged Evelyn's curves perfectly, the dark fabric making her porcelain skin glow. The slit revealed just enough leg to be elegant, not provocative.

Victoria whistled. "Now that's a Celestia Group executive. Stunning."

Evelyn's fingers fluttered to her collarbone. "It's... much fancier than I'm used to."

Since becoming Dominic's wife, she'd avoided these glittering affairs, preferring quiet evenings to flashing cameras. Simplicity had become her armor.

"Get used to it." Victoria adjusted the neckline with expert fingers. "Consider it a gift. That dress was made for you."

Evelyn shook her head. "I can't accept—"

"Nonsense." Victoria spun her toward the mirror. "Look at yourself. This is who you're meant to be."