Chapter 9
Nichole’s smile froze on her face for a moment. “Why?”
“Mr. Burke is taking his wife tonight, so Ms. Nichole, it would be inconvenient for you to attend.”
Nichole forced a smile. “Oh, he’s taking his wife. That’s wonderful! I actually didn’t want to go anyway…”
“That’s good then.”
As she held the disconnected phone, Nichole bit her lip.
Her roommates exchanged glances behind her.
“Nichole, did your boyfriend just stand you up?”
“I heard it was an international gala. Didn’t you say your boyfriend organized it to introduce you to some
international businessmen?”
Facing the skeptical looks from her friends, Nichole managed a weak smile. “He has to accompany a very important client. I shouldn’t add to his troubles.”
Nichole looked down at the gown she was holding, her expression dimming:
James had never liked Sophie, so why would he suddenly..
Nichole clutched the gown in her hands. She had been looking forward to tonight’s gala for a long time. She couldn’t just give up.
As evening fell, James had his secretary deliver a sophisticated black evening gown to Sophie.
James had been waiting downstairs for a while, and when he saw Sophie descending the grand staircase, he was momentarily stunned.
Although he had seen Sophie in a burgundy gown before, this outfit still took his breath away. He hadn’t realized before just how beautiful Sophie was.
“I’m ready.”
Sophie looked up, and James pursed his lips. “I’ll have the secretary bring the car around.”
Sophie, unconcerned, opened the door and saw Colt waiting at the entrance.
He saw Sophie in her gown and was also taken aback. “Madam, you look wonderful in that dress, even better than Ms. Nichole.”
James gave him a sharp look for mentioning Nichole.
Realizing his mistake, Colt quickly shut his mouth.
“It’s okay.” Sophie didn’t mind, and once she was in the car, James glared at Colt and said sternly, “You’ve just lost your bonus for the month!”
Colt felt wronged but dared not speak further. It was his own fault for speaking out of turn.
They arrived at the venue, and James helped Sophie out of the car.
The crowd around them cast admiring glances.
“Who is that lady with Mr. Burke?”
“It seems to be Mrs. Burke.”
“I’ve never seen Mr. and Mrs. Burke attend an event together before they really are a handsome couple.”
James smoothly took Sophie’s hand. Sophie wanted to pull away, but she cooperated with James as so many eyes were on them.
Sophie scanned the crowd and recognized many faces she had seen in her past life.
James indeed had considerable prostige in the business world to be able to attend such a high-level international gala. The attendees included top businessmen, philanthropists, and real estate moguls.
In her past life, Sophie had studied finance to please James, but it had ultimately been in vain.
Suddenly, the sound of glass shattering drew everyone’s attention.
A man dressed as a gardener had accidentally broken a vase of roses, and the manager of the venue berated him harshly. “Where did this old man come from? Get him out of here!”