Chapter 5

At 7 PM the next evening, I stood before the full-length mirror and could hardly recognize myself. The burgundy velvet gown was sharply tailored, with a daring open-back design—elegant yet striking. My stylist had swept my long hair into a loose chignon, with a few tendrils framing my neck, adding a touch of effortless allure.

"Ms. Bray, you look absolutely stunning," Kaleb exclaimed with genuine admiration.

Kaden stepped out of the room in a sleek black tailcoat, the tailored cut perfectly accentuating his broad-shouldered and slender waist. When his gaze fell on me, a fleeting shadow crossed his eyes.

"Time to go," Kaden said hoarsely, offering his arm.

I lightly placed my hand on Kaden's arm, feeling the taut muscles beneath his sleeve.

The gala was held on the top floor of the Pearl Tower. As the elevator ascended, my heart pounded faster with each passing floor. Kaden seemed to sense my nervousness.

"Having second thoughts?" Kaden murmured.

"No," I took a deep breath. "Just the thought of seeing certain people turns my stomach."

"Remember," Kaden chuckled lightly, "tonight you're Boarco's business partner, not Mrs. Duncan."

As the elevator doors slid open, a wave of lively chatter and clinking glasses washed over Kaden and me. Beneath dazzling crystal chandeliers, tycoons mingled and toasted, while waiters weaved gracefully through the crowd. The moment we entered, curious glances landed on us, and whispers began to spread like wildfire.

"Mr. Roach!" Gunner Schultz, a middle-aged man, approached enthusiastically. "What a pleasant surprise to see you here!"

"Mr. Schultz," Kaden acknowledged with a nod before turning slightly toward me. "May I introduce Ms. Bray, Boarco's brand consultant."

"Ms. Bray, I've heard so much about you," Gunner said warmly, shaking my hand. "Your insights in branding have always been remarkably original."

For the next half hour, I was introduced to numerous business leaders. No one mentioned my marital status. It was as if I were simply another accomplished professional. It was a feeling I hadn't experienced in far too long: to be respected and recognized for who I was, not as someone's appendage.

"Would you like a drink?" Kaden asked.

"Champagne, please."

As soon as Kaden left, I caught a whiff of that familiar perfume. Megan appeared before me in a white dress, her arm looped through Finley's.

"Bianca, what a coincidence!" Megan cooed with saccharine sweetness, her fingers possessively clutching Finley's arm. "Finley said this gala was too important to attend alone, so he simply had to bring me along."

Finley looked visibly uneasy, his eyes darting restlessly. Though his suit was immaculate, his bow tie sat slightly askew, and faint dark circles lingered under his eyes.

"Bianca... what are you doing here?" Finley's voice came out strained.

"Work," I replied curtly, my gaze sweeping over Megan. "Miss Burns, you seem to have recovered quite well. Looks like the so-called 'therapy' worked wonders."

Megan's smile froze momentarily before she forced another sweet grin. "I owe it all to Finley's care. By the way, Bianca, which hotel are you staying at? Finley's been so worried about you."

"Thanks for your concern," I smiled coolly. "But my accommodations are more than satisfactory."

"Who are you staying with?" Megan asked pointedly, her gaze deliberately drifting toward Kaden, who was fetching drinks in the distance.

Finley followed her gaze, his face darkening. "You came with Kaden?"

"I'm Boarco's consultant, remember?" I said with mock surprise. "Oh wait, my apologies. You probably never cared about my career."

Finley's face flushed crimson. "Bianca, please," he said tightly. "Can we talk in private?"

"Nothing left to talk about." I accepted the champagne from Kaden and deliberately positioned myself beside him. "Mr. Duncan, care for an introduction?"

"Mr. Duncan," Kaden acknowledged with a polite nod. "Your reputation precedes you."

Finley's eyes darted between us before finally landing on my hand resting on Kaden's arm. "What's going on between you two?"

"Business partners," Kaden replied calmly. "Bianca Bray is our specially appointed brand expert at Boarco."

"An expert?" Finley sneered. "She dropped out of college to marry me. What kind of 'expert' is that?"

That felt like a bucket of cold water splashed over my head. So, in his eyes, I'd always just been an ignorant woman clinging to him.

"Mr. Duncan, you're mistaken," Kaden's voice turned icy. "During her university years, Bianca published several groundbreaking industry papers that were widely cited by corporations. If certain people hadn't deliberately stifled her progress, her achievements would have far surpassed what you see today."

I stared at Kaden in astonishment and wondered, "How does he know all this?"

Finley was momentarily stunned, but quickly shot back, "Kaden, you sure know an awful lot about my private life."

"Just part of due diligence." Kaden took a sip of his drink, his tone cool and unhurried. "By the way, I hear the Duncan Group's been courting Lashax. Unfortunately for you, Boarco's already reached a preliminary agreement with them."

Finley's face darkened. Lashax was the target he had spent years pursuing.

"That's impossible!" Finley blurted out, his voice rising uncharacteristically and drawing disapproving glances from nearby guests. "We've been negotiating for over half a year."

"Business is war," I murmured. "Everything can change in an instant, don't you think?"

Unable to get a word in, Megan suddenly interjected with saccharine sweetness, "Wow, Bianca, you're so impressive, just got divorced and already traded up to a new backer!"

The room fell into abrupt silence. I could feel countless eyes boring into us.

"Miss Burns," I set my glass down deliberately, making sure my voice carried across the room. "That Cartier necklace you flaunted on social media last month was bought with money from the joint account Finley and I share. Under marital property laws, that makes it community property. My attorney has already prepared the legal claim documents."

Megan's face went pale. She stammered, "Y... You're lying! That was a gift from Finley!"

"A gift?" I arched a brow, my voice ringing out. "Using marital assets to buy presents for the other woman constitutes 'unauthorized disposal of community property' under the law. The judge can order it returned."