Chapter 5
I pulled the curtains closed again and said, "Are you coming to the celebration dinner? I'll send you an invite."
Rachel replied without missing a beat, "Of course. I'd sell my soul to be there."
Three days before the celebration dinner, Adam sent me a message.
He said: [I'd rather you didn't show up at the celebration dinner. It's best for all of us.]
I replied: [Okay.]
He must've been satisfied with my answer, because half an hour later, he sent another message: [Chelsey, you're smart. If you ever run into trouble, have Jacob reach out to me. I've got some pull in the medical world.]
I flipped my phone over and set it face down on the table, thought for about three minutes, then turned it back over and replied with just one word: [Yeah.]
*****
The day before the celebration dinner, Mabel called me.
I picked up, and her voice was still as sweet as ever. "Chelsey, Adam doesn't want you to show up at the celebration dinner tomorrow.
"He said if you feel the settlement isn't fair, we can talk it over again. And about the apartment you're living in. If you want, he can throw in some extra cash for you."
I said, "Mabel, the apartment I'm living in has nothing to do with Adam."
"Chelsey, I'm trying to help you both out. Let's keep things amicable."
"Thanks."
"Alright then, Chelsey. Take care of yourself from now on."
After hanging up, I texted Rachel: [Tomorrow, Stellar Hotel, third floor, 6 pm, formal attire.]
She replied: [Already ready. I bought a new dress yesterday.]
On the day of the celebration dinner, I arrived at 5:30 pm.
I slipped in through a side entrance.
I waited for Rachel in the lobby of the Stellar Hotel. She showed up in a deep burgundy dress, her hair elegantly pinned up. The moment she saw me, she asked, "Which season is that outfit from?"
I said, "I ordered it last year, but never wore it."
It was an emerald cashmere turtleneck with a very simple cut and no decorations, but the fabric was a custom design from my family's textile company, not available in this color or texture on the market.
Rachel circled me, eyeing my outfit, and teased, "So, you really came to crash the party tonight, huh?"
I replied, "I'm here for my ex-husband's celebration dinner. Is that such a big deal?"
She laughed, "Nope, not at all. Come on, let's head in."
On the third floor of the hall, a banner with Adam's name printed at the center.
Many guests had already arrived, dressed in suits and high heels, with the scent of perfume mingling with polite greetings, filling the air with the lively atmosphere unique to formal events.
Rachel and I walked in, found our table, and sat down.
Our table was in the third row, not too far from the main table. It was not front and center, but with a perfect view of everything going on.
Adam was at the main table, shaking hands with Kane. The smile on Adam's face was something I'd never seen before.
It was natural, not the usual polite grin he put on for others. It was real, relaxed, and triumphant, like he finally got everything he wanted.
Mabel was half a step behind him, wearing a dark gold evening dress, holding a glass of champagne and introducing the guests to him.
I took the water the waiter poured for me and took a sip.
Rachel leaned in, her voice barely above a whisper. "Adam spotted you."
"I know," I replied.
He definitely noticed me.
His smile froze for a couple of seconds, then he plastered it back on and turned to keep chatting with Kane, but his shoulders never relaxed.
Mabel's eyes landed on me, lingered for a beat, then she lifted her champagne and tapped glasses with the woman next to her.
Before the party officially kicked off, Adam's mentor, Reece, walked over with a glass of wine. When he spotted me, his eyes flickered with something complicated. "Chelsey, you're here."
"Hello, Professor Hall," I greeted him.
He stopped by my table and lowered his voice. "Chelsey, tonight, this event, you—"
"Professor Hall, I'm just here for dinner."
He studied me for a moment, then nodded and walked away without another word.
The host took the stage, and the ceremony kicked off.
Speeches, awards, group photos, toasts, the whole routine played out, and the energy in the hall was electric.
Adam stepped up to the mic and talked for almost ten minutes, sharing how he grew up and got into research. His voice was steady. He chose his words carefully, and the crowd clapped right on cue.
As I listened to him, I didn't feel a thing. It was like I was watching some random show that had nothing to do with me.
All those research achievements he mentioned, all those years he won awards and got projects. I remembered every single one. Because every time the funding landed, every time a project got greenlit, someone would always tip me off ahead of time.