Chapter 27
Carla’s counterattack stirred not a flicker of emotion in Lenora’s heart. She had already set Lillian on the legal path, and Carla’s further fuss would only lead to more tears later.
Besides Carla, it seemed another person had emerged, aiming to slander Lenora in a rather unique way. This person claimed that since Lenora’s divorce from Harley, Lenora had been constantly creating buzz. Though she wasn’t part of showbiz, she trended more frequently than popular celebrities, predicting that Lenora aimed to make a name for herself through controversy.
When Lenora came across these comments in the afternoon, she didn’t even bat an eyelid.
‘Are people really this dim–witted nowadays?‘ She paid them no mind, took a nap after lunch, spent half an hour on basic skincare, and then another half hour perfecting her makeup.
Looking at her beautiful face in the mirror, Lenora was satisfied as she entered her dressing room and chose a strapless pink rose–colored Glover Pines’s Moonlight series dress with a deep V–neck and a slight train.
The dress, based in a pink rose shade with highlights, shimmered white amidst the pink, a color too bold for anyone slightly darker in complexion to pull off.
But Lenora could. Her flawless skin made her look both ethereal and alluring in the dress.
The red Ferrari matched perfectly with today’s Lenora. At a red light, she encountered an open–top Maserati next to her, which honked several times in an attempt to strike up a conversation. Lenora lazily leaned on her car window, watching the traffic lights without budging.
When the green light came on, she pressed the gas pedal lightly, merging into the flow of traffic and leaving the Maserati behind.
Lenora left early but still hit the rush hour traffic, arriving at Elegance Manor by six fifteen.
After parking her car, she took the VIP elevator to the ninth floor.
*Miss, may I ask you-” As soon as the elevator doors opened, the attendant at the elevator entrance was so stunned by Lenora’s appearance that he stopped mid–sentence.
Lenora glanced at him coolly. “Room 168.”
The attendant snapped out of it, somewhat embarrassed. “This way, please.”
“Mm–hmm.”
Having been to the private room 168 more than once, Lenora knew the way well, but she didn’t mind being led.
“Here’s 168, miss.”
Lenora waved her hand. “I’ll open the door myself.”
The attendant watched as this languid stunning beauty moved, feeling even a casual glance from her could captivate the
heart.
Not daring to displease her, he quietly retreated.
Lenora knocked on the door. “It’s me.”
The handle turned easily; the door wasn’t fully closed. She opened the door and pushed it inward.
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18:07 Sat, Oct 26 GB ·
Chapter 27
“Bang-”
Just as expected, the room was filled with twinkling lights and balloons, with Cassidy holding a confetti popper in each hand, aimed at the doorway. “Happy birthday, Nora!”
The colorful streamers fell around the foyer, with only a few landing on Lenora.
Seeing Lenora, Cassidy’s eyes widened. “Oh my God! You enchantress, are you really here to spice things up tonight?”
Lenora gave a nonchalant smile toward Dashnell, who was holding a birthday cake, sidestepping Cassidy’s hug. “Don’t hug me, your man will get jealous.”
Dashnell’s deep–set eyes sparkled with amusement as he handed Lenora the cake and pulled Cassidy back. “Always fidgeting, are you a hooligan?”
Cassidy, though intimidated by Dashnell, couldn’t take her eyes off Lenora’s outfit, full of admiration. “You never go for this style, what made you change your mind today?”
Lenora blew out the candles on the cake and walked in, responding, “It’s my birthday, wanted to try something different.”
She tossed her clutch onto the sofa, picked up a decanter and a wine glass, and poured herself a glass of red wine with leisurely grace.
Cassidy watched her actions and swallowed pitifully. “I’m somewhat relieved I’m a woman, yet regretful at the same time.”
“Hmm?” Dashnell raised his eyebrows.
Cassidy shrank back, squirming out of his embrace and sitting down next to Lenora. “Happy birthday, Nora. May you earn more this year than last!”
Lenora took the gift from her hand. “Thank you. This wish is very much to my liking.” She set down her wine glass and began unwrapping the birthday gift from Cassidy.
The wrapping paper came off to reveal a gradient sky–colored gift box. Lenora lifted the lid to find a simple yet stylish women’s watch, a limited edition from this year by LuxorTime, named “Breaking New“, with a small cloud engraved beneath the dial.
Lenora was taken aback for a moment, then put it on her wrist. The strap fit perfectly, and the dial matched her wrist nicely She liked it.
“Thanks.” She smiled, propped her chin on her hand, and looked at Cassidy. “I remember this watch costs over 350 thousand dollars. How did you save up?”
Last year, Cassidy had her eye on a rivilla priced at 60 million dollars. She saved money secretly, hoping to buy it without Dashnell knowing as their marital home. So despite looking glamorous, she actually had to lock away money in her bank account tearfully every month to live frugally.
350 thousand dollars wasn’t much, but Dashnell suddenly proposed in June this determined to buy the villa before their wedding.
This watch cost several months of Cassidy’s living expenses.
year, leaving Cassidy pinching pennies,
“Oh, come on, when it comes to our friendship of over twenty years, isn’t 350 thousand dollars nothing?” said Cassidy. Lenora laughed. “True.”
It was rare for the three of them to get together, and Lenora drank quite a bit, though she had a good tolerance and was just slightly tipsy.
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Chapter 27
Dashnell was very restrained, hardly touching his drink, just watching Lenora and Cassidy drink.
Lenora felt relaxed with them, but there was another birthday party at ten o’clock.
The next venue was livelier, the bar where she had made a name for herself with her dance.
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Before switching venues, Cassidy suddenly grabbed her arm. “Nora, it’s your birthday today. Wanna do something exciting?”
Lenora raised her eyebrows. “Like what?”
Cassidy looked excitedly at her. “Since you’re divorced now, why not this: you leave here, and whoever you bump into first, dare to kiss him?”
Dashnell pulled at Cassidy. “Stop it.”
Cassidy looked aggrieved. “I’m not joking. Think about it, any man who can afford a diamond private room here can’t be bad, right? I checked; anyone who can book a room on this floor is no ordinary Joe, Nora won’t suffer a loss.”
Lenora would never normally join Cassidy in such tomfoolery, but with a little alcohol in her system, she felt a thrill. “What’s there to fear?”
“Oh, go for it then, my queen!” Without warning, Cassidy yanked open the door and pushed Lenora out.
Lenora stumbled a few steps and collided directly with a man.
He was quite tall, and she didn’t steady herself before bumping into him, catching sight only of his sexy Adam’s apple.
Thinking of Cassidy’s words, Lenora decided to go all in. She reached up to support herself on his shoulder, tilted her head, and gazed up with a charming gaze. “Sir, may I kiss you?”
However, the expression on Lenora’s face froze the next second. ‘Harley? Oh, my god. How can I bring myself to do it?‘
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