Derek's POV
After the award ceremony, I led Tabitha to our exclusive seats. As the lights dimmed, Tabitha murmured in my ear, "Why didn't you tell me earlier? I had no time to prepare, and I felt like a fool on stage just now."
Hearing Tabitha's complaint, I couldn't help but smile indulgently.
"I wanted to give you a surprise."
"More like scare me. My palms are sweaty. I'll go to the restroom."
"Okay."
As Tabitha stood up, I gave Alvin a subtle signal, and he followed Tabitha at a discreet distance, protecting her from the shadows.
I, on the other hand, lounged lazily in my chair, fiddling with the wedding ring, a chill creeping into my heart.
My phone kept vibrating. After several attempts to ignore it, the persistent caller forced me to get up and take the call.
Tabitha's POV
After the award ceremony, I could hardly believe what had happened, with a very complex mood.
On one hand, there was the satisfaction of finally achieving what I wanted; on the other, a sense of reluctance I didn't understand.
I didn't understand why I had such feelings.
Lost in thought, I accidentally bumped into someone. Only then did I snap back to reality and apologize, "Sorry."
The man before me was dressed in a high-end asymmetric tuxedo with a subtle rose pattern. His silver-dyed hair was short, and a rose diamond ear stud adorned his left ear.
His trendy appearance was matched by a face more delicate than a woman's, with drooping eyes that gave him an exceptionally cool, indifferent look.
Was it an illusion?
I couldn't shake off the familiarity of this face.
The man had no intention of stopping, but he paused when he saw me. "Ms. Hartley?"
I looked at him. "Do you know me?"
Was he an old acquaintance, which is why he seemed familiar?
"We've never met, but I've heard of you. Thank you for what you did for my sister. I've been wanting to thank you in person. I wonder..."
The man seemed about to say more, but his assistant hurried him along. He handed me a business card.
"My brother is Klein. Apologies, but I have other matters to attend to today. Feel free to contact me if you need anything."
I watched as he hurried away, then glanced at the card in my hand.
Dwayne.
Who was he?
His last name was also Hartley. Could he be a distant relative?
I pocketed the business card and decided to ask Derek about it later.
The venue was vast, and it took me about ten minutes to reach the restroom. With everyone gathered in the main area, the other parts of the venue felt deserted.
I was touching up my makeup in the restroom when someone walked in. It was none other than Kelsey.
She dropped her mask and stared at me with malicious intent.
I met her gaze in the mirror.
"Miss Arnold," I greeted Kelsey first.
Kelsey unscrewed the cap of her lipstick with a flick of her wrist and replied with disdain, "The Arnold family is prestigious. What makes you think you could ever compare to me?"
I couldn't help but feel a bit helpless. "Is being prettier than you considered an advantage?"
It wasn't arrogance on my part. Kelsey naturally had a modest charm, and her features were rather ordinary both separately and combined.
If not for the couture dress and jewelry she wore, I would be the one noticed first at this party, while she would blend into the crowd.
"You!" Kelsey's face instantly changed.
"He seems very much in love with me. Does that count as a second advantage?" I spoke the harshest words with the most innocent tone.