Chapter 472: What Did the Sanders Need From You?
Hayley’s POV:
Tanner’s driver stepped out of the car and respectfully opened the door for me. I nodded my thanks before slipping inside.
“Why are you here?” I asked Tanner, puzzled by his unexpected presence.
“Ben had something come up and couldn’t make it, so since I was nearby for an event, I thought I’d pick you up,” he explained.
After instructing his driver to start the car, Tanner turned to me, curious. “What did the Sanders need from you?”
I looked back at the imposing gates one last time before answering nonchalantly, “Oh, just finalizing some details about the wedding dress.”
Inside, though, I thought about the mansion’s grandeur and the likely secrets it concealed. I would prefer to stay away from that place going forward. Life had already handed me enough complications, and I wasn’t eager to invite more.
“That’s good,” Tanner replied, clearly relieved. He added cautiously, “The Sanders are complicated. It’s wise not to get too entangled with them.”
He then handed me a sleek invitation card. “This is for the Creative Night event tonight. It’s hosted by some of the country’s top designers. There will be a lot of new pieces on display. I thought you might like to join me.”
I examined the invitation, recognizing its significance. “Creative Night” was not just a showcase; it was a networking hub for the fashion industry, where behind-the-scenes meetings between designers and potential clients could be arranged via bids on the models’ numbers.
Initially indifferent, Tanner’s invitation made it difficult to decline. I agreed to accompany him.
Upon arriving and receiving a mask at the entrance, I felt a bit more at ease. Hidden behind the mask, I could avoid unnecessary attention and enjoy the evening without the usual hassles.
After the show, nothing particularly caught my eye, but I selected one design that was decent, noted down its number and price, and headed early to the restroom.
When I exited, I noticed a man standing with his back to the door. At first glance, I mistook him for a model due to his posture, but the strap of a mask on his head revealed he was also a guest. I briefly let my eyes rest on him for a couple of seconds before turning away to leave.
Chapter 472: What Did the Sanders Need From You?
“Can I help you?” I asked, my impatience evident in my tone.
He stepped closer, confronting me directly and face-to-face. “Nothing in particular,” he said, “I just wanted to see the face of a beautiful woman whose tastes match mine…” As he spoke, he reached for my mask.
Instinctively, I stepped back, but he continued to close in. Eventually, he cornered me against the sink, pressing his hands on the countertop to trap me.
Trapped and increasingly uncomfortable, a wave of revulsion washed over me. Inside, Hera was seething, ready to lash out and defend me from his unwelcome advances.