Chapter 4
Geoffrey exploded with rage, cursing furiously.
"Kayla actually dared to block me?"
Valerie quickly pressed him down.
"Oh, come on, she's just having a meltdown. Her pride's hurt, and she's waiting for you to sweet-talk her. I bet she's already outside the venue right now with the watch, waiting for you to forgive her. Let's just get going."
Geoffrey thought it over and decided it made sense.
"Fine, let her put on her little act a while longer. Just wait till we get to the venue—I'll show her what's what."
By evening, luxury cars crowded the entrance of Hallford Hotel for Terrell Group's IPO bell-ringing ceremony.
Geoffrey, in a bespoke suit, made a grand entrance with Valerie on one arm and Jennifer on the other.
However, the moment the three of them approached the entrance to the banquet hall, they were stopped by two towering security guards.
"Excuse me, sir, please present your invitations."
Geoffrey's smile froze instantly.
"I'm the CEO of Terrell Group. Why do I need an invitation to enter my own event?"
The security guard's expression remained blank, showing not the slightest intention of yielding.
"Our apologies, but the CEO of Terrell Group is already inside. Unauthorized personnel are not permitted to enter."
At these words, all three of them stood stunned.
"The CEO of Terrell Group? Geoffrey is standing right here. Who else could it be?" Jennifer asked with a frown.
Geoffrey gave a cold laugh.
"I don't care who he is. If someone's got the nerve to impersonate me, they're done in this city."
Just as he was about to force his way in, a black Rolls-Royce slowly pulled up at the end of the red carpet.
I stepped out of the car in a black evening gown with a plunging neckline. The Patek Philippe on my wrist gleamed with particular harshness under the lights.
Geoffrey's eyes lit up the instant he saw me, only to shift into rage a split second later.
He rushed over, pointing at the watch on my wrist, and shouted, "Didn't I say this watch was for Mr. Carr? Who said you can wear it? As if you even deserve it! Take it off right now. If you get it dirty and Mr. Carr doesn't want it anymore, can you even begin to make up for it?"
Valerie and Jennifer followed closely behind, piling on with their snide mocking.
"Kayla, the bell-ringing ceremony is about to start. It's not like you're the one going in with Geoffrey, so what are you getting all dressed up for?"
"Hurry up and give the watch to Geoffrey, then take us in. Do that, and we'll let what happened last night slide."
They slept with my husband right under my nose, and now they were the ones saying they'd let it slide?
How utterly ridiculous.
But Geoffrey's tone was just as condescending, and his face was filled with self-righteous entitlement.
"Kayla, this is your last chance. Swap out these clueless security guards right now, and I'll forgive you for blocking me."
I adjusted my cuff, a flicker of amusement in my eyes.
"You'll forgive me? Geoffrey, are you still dreaming?"
"What's that supposed to mean? You—"
Just then, the grand doors of the banquet hall slowly swung open, and a steady, commanding voice rang out from within.
"I am the CEO of Terrell Group. Whatever Ms. Bennett does, it is not your place to forgive."
Geoffrey whipped his head around.
Out came Wesley in a dark blue suit with an understated jacquard pattern, flanked by a group of senior executives.
His expression was stern, his presence radiating absolute authority. Not a trace remained of the timid, submissive man he used to be.
Geoffrey's eyes bulged as if he had seen a ghost.
"Wesley? What the hell are you babbling about? If you're the CEO, then who am I?"
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