Chapter 5

Sheila’s smile froze. “Why?”

“Mr. Nichols is taking his wife tonight, so it wouldn’t be convenient for you to attend.”

Sheila forced a smile. “Oh, so he’s taking his wife. That’s great. I didn’t want to go anyway.”

“That’s good.”

Sheila held her phone and bit her lip. Her roommates exchanged glances.

“Sheila, did your boyfriend stand you up?”

“I heard this event is international. Didn’t your boyfriend organize it to introduce you to some foreign entrepreneurs?”

Facing their skeptical looks, Sheila managed a weak smile. “He has an important client to accompany. I shouldn’t disturb him.”

Shelia glanced at the dress in her hands, her expression dimming. ‘Juan never likes Debra. Why did he suddenly…’ She tightened her grip on the dress. She had looked forward to tonight’s event for so long. She couldn’t just give up.

As night fell, Juan had a splendid black dress sent to Debra. He had been waiting downstairs for a while when he saw Debra descending the stairs. Though he had seen Debra in a burgundy dress the other day, seeing her in this outfit still took Juan by surprise. He hadn’t realized how beautiful Debra could be.

“I’m ready,” Debra said, lifting her head.

Juan pursed his lips. “I’ll have my secretary bring the car around.”

Debra opened the door to see Joe waiting outside. Seeing Debra in the black dress, Joe was amazed.

“Mrs. Nichols, you look stunning in this dress, better than Miss Miles.”

Juan glanced at him. Joe realized his mistake and quickly shut his mouth.

“It’s okay.” Debra didn’t care, and she got into the car.

Juan glared at Joe and muttered, “You won’t get your bonus this month.” Joe felt wronged but dared not say more. That was what he got for being too talkative.

Outside the club, Juan helped Debra out of the car. People around them cast admiring glances at them.

“Who’s the lady with Mr. Nichols?” “Seems to be Mrs. Nichols.” “I don’t recall seeing Mr. and Mrs. Nichols together before. They make quite the power couple.”

Juan took Debra’s hand. Debra wanted to retract her hand, but with so many people around, she had to go along with Juan. Debra glanced around and saw many faces she had encountered in her last life. Juan had a certain prestige in the business world. To be able to attend such a high-level international event, the people here were all top entrepreneurs, philanthropists, or real estate tycoons.

Suddenly, the sound of shattered glass grabbed everyone’s attention. A gardener accidentally broke a vase of roses, and the manager scolded him.

“Where did this old man come from? Get him out of here!” the manager barked.

“Hold on.” Debra stepped forward, picking up the roses from the ground. She noticed they were carefully pruned and rare.

“This man ruined Mr. Houston’s flowers and startled the guests. Let me have him removed,” said the manager.

“If it’s broken, just ask him to prepare a new one,” Debra said. “These roses were brought by Mr. Houston for everyone’s enjoyment. How about each lady take one to appreciate his gesture?” Debra suggested.

Everyone nodded, and the manager waved off the gardener. Juan stepped forward, lowering his voice. “I didn’t expect you to liven up the atmosphere here.”

Debra shrugged. “Just trying to please Mr. Houston.”

Outside the club, Sheila stepped out of a taxi in a black dress, feeling strange gazes around her. She ignored them and tried to enter the club. The security guard glanced at the taxi and stopped her. “Miss, do you have an invitation?”

Sheila was taken aback. She didn’t know about invitations. With Juan, she could go anywhere. It was the first time she had been stopped by a security guard.

“Sorry! No invitation, no entry.”

“I’m here to see Mr. Nichols. I’m his companion,” Sheila lied.

Squinting at her, the guard asked, “Mr. Nichols is already inside with Mrs. Nichols. Who are you?”

Feeling the stares all around, Sheila blushed with embarrassment. Joe saw her and hurried over. “Excuse me, she’s our company staff.”

The guard nodded, allowing Sheila through. Sheila breathed a sigh of relief, but Joe asked sternly, “Miss Miles, why are you here?”

“I just wanted to broaden my horizons. Mr. Nichols always said I was too timid. I’ll be going abroad in a few months, so I wanted to experience this kind of event. Joe, could you take me in?”

Joe hesitated.

“I’ll return from studying and help Mr. Nichols. The piece of land Debra bought cost billions and was a loss. She probably doesn’t understand finance. So many financial elites are here. I’m worried Mrs. Nichols won’t be able to handle it,” Sheila pleaded sincerely.

Joe nodded in agreement. In the past, it was always Sheila by Juan’s side because Debra knew nothing about finance, and Joe respected Sheila, who was talented in this area.

Sheila joyfully entered the club and spotted Juan conversing with some guests not far away. She lifted the hem of her dress to run over, but she accidentally collided with an old man. The gardener’s vase slipped, and the water splashed on Sheila’s dress. She instinctively exclaimed and freaked out when she saw the stain. “What’s wrong with you? Can’t you watch where you’re going?”

Chapter 6